CA2197840A1 - Playhouse - Google Patents
PlayhouseInfo
- Publication number
- CA2197840A1 CA2197840A1 CA 2197840 CA2197840A CA2197840A1 CA 2197840 A1 CA2197840 A1 CA 2197840A1 CA 2197840 CA2197840 CA 2197840 CA 2197840 A CA2197840 A CA 2197840A CA 2197840 A1 CA2197840 A1 CA 2197840A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- playhouse
- tunnel
- roof
- fold line
- mounting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/008—Playhouses, play-tents, big enough for playing inside
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A playhouse including a tunnel removably insertable in an opening of the playhouse for connecting the playhouse to similar playhouses is disclosed herein. The tunnel includes a foldable projection preventing the tunnel from being unintentionally removed from the opening.
Description
21978~0 TITLE OF THE INVENTION
PLAYHOUSE
The present invention relates to playhouses. More specifically, the present invention relates to a playhouse that may be linked to other similar playhouses to form a playhouse village.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children's playhouses are well known in the art. They are usually made of corrugated cardboard or other similar material that 15 may be folded along predetermined lines to form the walls and the roof.
Glues, loop and hook fasteners, or the like have been used to hold the various pieces of paperboard together to form the playhouse.
A drawback of the known playhouse designs is that 20 conventional playhouses are generally small. They are therefore not specifically designed to be used simultaneously by many children.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved playhouse.
2197~~
\
Another object of the invention is to provide a playhouse that may be connected to another similar playhouse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a playhouse comprising:
at least three walls; one of the three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in the opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain the tunnel in the opening.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a playhouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a first house element precut to form two sides and a portion of the roof of the playhouse of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a second house element precut to form two sides and a portion of the roof of the playhouse of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a top plan view of a third house element precut to form a tunnel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 of the appended drawings illustrates, in perspective view, a playhouse 10 and an attached tunnel 12, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As will be further described hereinafter, the playhouse 10 and the tunnel 12 illustrated in Figure 1 are constructed from a first house element 14 shown in Figure 2, a second house element 16 shown in Figure 3 and a third house element 18 shown in Figure 4.
Each house element 14, 16 and 18 is advantageously made of corrugated cardboard or of any other type of material that may easily be cut to the appropriate shape and that may be folded along predetermined lines. For example, corrugated plastic simulating corrugated cardboard could be used to form a playhouse.
As can be seen from the figures, the playhouse 10 includes four peripheral walls 20, 22, 24 and 26, a roof made of two roof portions 28, 30, and a floor 31.
PLAYHOUSE
The present invention relates to playhouses. More specifically, the present invention relates to a playhouse that may be linked to other similar playhouses to form a playhouse village.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children's playhouses are well known in the art. They are usually made of corrugated cardboard or other similar material that 15 may be folded along predetermined lines to form the walls and the roof.
Glues, loop and hook fasteners, or the like have been used to hold the various pieces of paperboard together to form the playhouse.
A drawback of the known playhouse designs is that 20 conventional playhouses are generally small. They are therefore not specifically designed to be used simultaneously by many children.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved playhouse.
2197~~
\
Another object of the invention is to provide a playhouse that may be connected to another similar playhouse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a playhouse comprising:
at least three walls; one of the three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in the opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain the tunnel in the opening.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a playhouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a first house element precut to form two sides and a portion of the roof of the playhouse of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a second house element precut to form two sides and a portion of the roof of the playhouse of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a top plan view of a third house element precut to form a tunnel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 of the appended drawings illustrates, in perspective view, a playhouse 10 and an attached tunnel 12, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As will be further described hereinafter, the playhouse 10 and the tunnel 12 illustrated in Figure 1 are constructed from a first house element 14 shown in Figure 2, a second house element 16 shown in Figure 3 and a third house element 18 shown in Figure 4.
Each house element 14, 16 and 18 is advantageously made of corrugated cardboard or of any other type of material that may easily be cut to the appropriate shape and that may be folded along predetermined lines. For example, corrugated plastic simulating corrugated cardboard could be used to form a playhouse.
As can be seen from the figures, the playhouse 10 includes four peripheral walls 20, 22, 24 and 26, a roof made of two roof portions 28, 30, and a floor 31.
2~9~8~o -The peripheral wall 20 includes a floor portion 21 that may be folded along a fold line 21' and a plurality of mounting tabs 32.
The roof portion 28 and the peripheral wall 20 are divided by a fold line 34. The roof portion 28 includes a plurality of slots 36 and a plurality of projections 38 and 40.
The peripheral wall 22 includes a floor portion 23 that may be folded along a fold line 23', a first door 44 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 46 to allow children to ingress and to egress the playhouse 10, a triangular portion 48, an opening 50 and a plurality of slots 52. The triangular portion 48 includes a plurality of slots 54 and 56.
The peripheral wall 22 and the peripheral wall 20 are divided by a fold line 42.
The peripheral wall 24 includes a floor portion 25 that may be folded along a fold line 25', a second door 58 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 60 to allow children to ingress and to egress the playhouse 10 and a plurality of tabs 62. The roof portion 30 and the peripheral wall 24 are divided by a fold line 64. The roof portion 30 includes a plurality of mounting tabs 66 and a plurality of projections 68 and 70.
The peripheral wall 26 includes a floor portion 27 that may be folded along a fold line 27', a window 72 consisting of two panels 74 and 76 that may be open by folding them about fold lines 78 and 80, respectively, a plurality of mounting slots 82 and a triangular portion 84 including a plurality of slots 86 and 88. The peripheral wall 26 and the peripheral wall 24 are divided by a fold line 90.
219'~8 40 To assemble the playhouse 10 from the first and second house elements 14 and 16, a user performs the following steps:
- folding the first element 14 along the fold lines 21',23', 34 and 42;
- folding the second element 16 along the fold lines 25'.
27', 64 and 90;
- insert the mounting tabs 32 of the wall 20 in the corresponding mounting slots 82 of the wall 26;
- insert the mounting tabs 62 of the wall 24 in the corresponding mounting slots 52 of the wall 22;
- fold the floor sections 21, 23, 25 and 27 so that these sections are inside the playhouse 10;
- insert a piece of corrugated cardboard, or an equivalent, inside the playhouse to form the floor 31;
- insert the mounting tabs 66 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding mounting slots 36 of the roof section 28;
- insert the projections 38 of the roof section 28 in the corresponding slots 88 of the triangular portion 84;
- insert the projections 40 of the roof section 28 in the corresponding slots 54 of the triangular portion 48;
- insert the projections 68 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding slots 56 of the triangular portion 48; and - insert the projections 70 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding slots 86 of the triangular portion 84.
Turning now to Figure 4, the third house element 18 will be described in details. The third house element 18 is used to form the tunnel 12 (see Figure 1).
'~ 219'1~
The third house element 18 includes a floor portion 92, two wall portion 94 and 96 and a roof portion 98. The wall portion 96 includes a plurality of mounting tabs 100 and the roof portion 98 includes a plurality of corresponding mounting slots 102.
As can be seen from Figure 4, the floor portion 92 and the wall portion 96 are divided by a fold line 104, the floor portion 92 and the wall portion 94 are divided by a fold line 106, and the roof portion 98 and the wall portion 94 are divided by a fold line 108.
The roof portion 98 includes a trap door 110 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 112 to allow children to get their heads out of the tunnel 12.
To assemble the tunnel 12 from the third house element 18, the user has to fold the third house element 18 along the fold lines 104, 106 and 108, and to insert the mounting tabs 100 in the corresponding mounting slots 102.
As can be better seen from Figure 1, the third house element 18 includes a pair triangular projection assembly 114 (only one shown in Figure 1) formed in the roof portion 98. The purpose of the projection assembly 114 is to retain the tunnel in the opening formed by one of the doors 44 and 58. Indeed, since the size of the mounted tunnel 12 is about the same as the size of the door openings, the upwardly projecting assembly 114, when formed while the tunnel 12 is inserted in a door, prevents the tunnel 12 from being detached from the playhouse - 2~9~S~Q
10. Of course, the exceeding portion of the floor portion 92 is inserted under the floor 31.
The projecting assembly 114 includes first and second slots 116 and 118, a first projecting portion 120, a second projecting portion 124, a first mounting portion 128 and a second mounting portion 132.
As can be seen from Figure 4, the first projecting portion 120 and the roof portion 98 are divided by a fold line 122, the second projecting portion 124 and the first projecting portion 120 are divided by a fold line 126, the first mounting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 124 are divided by a fold line 130, and the second mounting portion 132 and the first mounting portion 128 are divided by a fold line 134.
To assemble the triangular projecting assembly 114, the material is first folded along fold lines 122, 126, 130 and 134. The second mounting portion 132 is then inserted in the first mounting slot 116 and is slid therein until the second projecting portion 124 abuts the roof portion 98. Finally, the second mounting portion is inserted in the second mounting slot 118 to solidify the assembly 114.
Of course, the triangular projecting assembly 114 could be similarly mounted so as to project inwardly.
Since a triangular projecting assembly 114 is provided at both ends of the tunnel 12, it is possible to assemble two similar ~,19~ 8 ~
playhouses together. Furthermore, since the playhouse 10 includes two doors 44 and 58, more than two similar playhouses may be linked through separate tunnels 12.
As will be easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various fold lines may be merely printed on the material forming the house elements or this material may be pre-folded about these lines to facilitate the mounting of the playhouse by the user.
The playhouse of the present invention prevents many advantages. For example:
- the entire playhouse may be mounted without the need of tools or glues;
- the tunnel may be removably attached to the playhouse to connect two playhouses together;
- the playhouse may easily be disassembled for storage;
- the playhouse may be used as a learning game;
- the playhouse may be used as a toybox;
- the playhouse may be mounted by children to increase their coordination and their fine motor skills; and - the playhouse may be used as a setting for stage play.
The playhouse 10 is illustrated in the appended drawings as being monochromatic and without any ornamentation. It is however to be understood that the internal and/or the external surfaces of the material used to form a playhouse as described herein could be printed to help the child users to decorate the playhouse. Similarly, thematic playhouses could be designed to help children learn while they 2~91 ~ ~
-play. For example, numbers, letters and geometric shapes could be printed on the house elements.
As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, a 5 thematic village may be formed by linking two or more playhouses together.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, 10 without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
The roof portion 28 and the peripheral wall 20 are divided by a fold line 34. The roof portion 28 includes a plurality of slots 36 and a plurality of projections 38 and 40.
The peripheral wall 22 includes a floor portion 23 that may be folded along a fold line 23', a first door 44 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 46 to allow children to ingress and to egress the playhouse 10, a triangular portion 48, an opening 50 and a plurality of slots 52. The triangular portion 48 includes a plurality of slots 54 and 56.
The peripheral wall 22 and the peripheral wall 20 are divided by a fold line 42.
The peripheral wall 24 includes a floor portion 25 that may be folded along a fold line 25', a second door 58 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 60 to allow children to ingress and to egress the playhouse 10 and a plurality of tabs 62. The roof portion 30 and the peripheral wall 24 are divided by a fold line 64. The roof portion 30 includes a plurality of mounting tabs 66 and a plurality of projections 68 and 70.
The peripheral wall 26 includes a floor portion 27 that may be folded along a fold line 27', a window 72 consisting of two panels 74 and 76 that may be open by folding them about fold lines 78 and 80, respectively, a plurality of mounting slots 82 and a triangular portion 84 including a plurality of slots 86 and 88. The peripheral wall 26 and the peripheral wall 24 are divided by a fold line 90.
219'~8 40 To assemble the playhouse 10 from the first and second house elements 14 and 16, a user performs the following steps:
- folding the first element 14 along the fold lines 21',23', 34 and 42;
- folding the second element 16 along the fold lines 25'.
27', 64 and 90;
- insert the mounting tabs 32 of the wall 20 in the corresponding mounting slots 82 of the wall 26;
- insert the mounting tabs 62 of the wall 24 in the corresponding mounting slots 52 of the wall 22;
- fold the floor sections 21, 23, 25 and 27 so that these sections are inside the playhouse 10;
- insert a piece of corrugated cardboard, or an equivalent, inside the playhouse to form the floor 31;
- insert the mounting tabs 66 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding mounting slots 36 of the roof section 28;
- insert the projections 38 of the roof section 28 in the corresponding slots 88 of the triangular portion 84;
- insert the projections 40 of the roof section 28 in the corresponding slots 54 of the triangular portion 48;
- insert the projections 68 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding slots 56 of the triangular portion 48; and - insert the projections 70 of the roof section 30 in the corresponding slots 86 of the triangular portion 84.
Turning now to Figure 4, the third house element 18 will be described in details. The third house element 18 is used to form the tunnel 12 (see Figure 1).
'~ 219'1~
The third house element 18 includes a floor portion 92, two wall portion 94 and 96 and a roof portion 98. The wall portion 96 includes a plurality of mounting tabs 100 and the roof portion 98 includes a plurality of corresponding mounting slots 102.
As can be seen from Figure 4, the floor portion 92 and the wall portion 96 are divided by a fold line 104, the floor portion 92 and the wall portion 94 are divided by a fold line 106, and the roof portion 98 and the wall portion 94 are divided by a fold line 108.
The roof portion 98 includes a trap door 110 that may be open by folding it along a fold line 112 to allow children to get their heads out of the tunnel 12.
To assemble the tunnel 12 from the third house element 18, the user has to fold the third house element 18 along the fold lines 104, 106 and 108, and to insert the mounting tabs 100 in the corresponding mounting slots 102.
As can be better seen from Figure 1, the third house element 18 includes a pair triangular projection assembly 114 (only one shown in Figure 1) formed in the roof portion 98. The purpose of the projection assembly 114 is to retain the tunnel in the opening formed by one of the doors 44 and 58. Indeed, since the size of the mounted tunnel 12 is about the same as the size of the door openings, the upwardly projecting assembly 114, when formed while the tunnel 12 is inserted in a door, prevents the tunnel 12 from being detached from the playhouse - 2~9~S~Q
10. Of course, the exceeding portion of the floor portion 92 is inserted under the floor 31.
The projecting assembly 114 includes first and second slots 116 and 118, a first projecting portion 120, a second projecting portion 124, a first mounting portion 128 and a second mounting portion 132.
As can be seen from Figure 4, the first projecting portion 120 and the roof portion 98 are divided by a fold line 122, the second projecting portion 124 and the first projecting portion 120 are divided by a fold line 126, the first mounting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 124 are divided by a fold line 130, and the second mounting portion 132 and the first mounting portion 128 are divided by a fold line 134.
To assemble the triangular projecting assembly 114, the material is first folded along fold lines 122, 126, 130 and 134. The second mounting portion 132 is then inserted in the first mounting slot 116 and is slid therein until the second projecting portion 124 abuts the roof portion 98. Finally, the second mounting portion is inserted in the second mounting slot 118 to solidify the assembly 114.
Of course, the triangular projecting assembly 114 could be similarly mounted so as to project inwardly.
Since a triangular projecting assembly 114 is provided at both ends of the tunnel 12, it is possible to assemble two similar ~,19~ 8 ~
playhouses together. Furthermore, since the playhouse 10 includes two doors 44 and 58, more than two similar playhouses may be linked through separate tunnels 12.
As will be easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various fold lines may be merely printed on the material forming the house elements or this material may be pre-folded about these lines to facilitate the mounting of the playhouse by the user.
The playhouse of the present invention prevents many advantages. For example:
- the entire playhouse may be mounted without the need of tools or glues;
- the tunnel may be removably attached to the playhouse to connect two playhouses together;
- the playhouse may easily be disassembled for storage;
- the playhouse may be used as a learning game;
- the playhouse may be used as a toybox;
- the playhouse may be mounted by children to increase their coordination and their fine motor skills; and - the playhouse may be used as a setting for stage play.
The playhouse 10 is illustrated in the appended drawings as being monochromatic and without any ornamentation. It is however to be understood that the internal and/or the external surfaces of the material used to form a playhouse as described herein could be printed to help the child users to decorate the playhouse. Similarly, thematic playhouses could be designed to help children learn while they 2~91 ~ ~
-play. For example, numbers, letters and geometric shapes could be printed on the house elements.
As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, a 5 thematic village may be formed by linking two or more playhouses together.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, 10 without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (2)
1. A playhouse comprising:
at least three walls; one of said at least three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in said opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain said tunnel in said opening.
at least three walls; one of said at least three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in said opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain said tunnel in said opening.
2. A thematic village comprising a plurality of playhouses; each playhouse comprising:
at least three walls; one of said at least three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in said opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain said tunnel in said opening.
at least three walls; one of said at least three walls including an opening;
a tunnel to be inserted in said opening and including a foldable projection to releasably maintain said tunnel in said opening.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2197840 CA2197840A1 (en) | 1997-02-18 | 1997-02-18 | Playhouse |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2197840 CA2197840A1 (en) | 1997-02-18 | 1997-02-18 | Playhouse |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2197840A1 true CA2197840A1 (en) | 1998-08-18 |
Family
ID=4159967
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2197840 Abandoned CA2197840A1 (en) | 1997-02-18 | 1997-02-18 | Playhouse |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2197840A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007003922A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2007-01-11 | Richard Antony Broadbent | Dual purpose container |
-
1997
- 1997-02-18 CA CA 2197840 patent/CA2197840A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007003922A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2007-01-11 | Richard Antony Broadbent | Dual purpose container |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |