GB2195907A

GB2195907A - Constructional toy

Info

Publication number: GB2195907A
Application number: GB08624091A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marguerite Fiona Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-08
Filing date: 1986-10-08
Publication date: 1988-04-20
Also published as: GB8624091D0

Abstract

Panels 11, 12 of relatively rigid, low specific weight material are joined together by detachable fasteners 14, preferably in the form of straps passing through apertures 13. The joined panels permit hinged movement The straps may be provided with touch and close fabric or buckles. Playhouses or storage areas for toys may be constructed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A structural element and a construction kit comprising structural elements This invention relates to structural elements, and to construction kits composed of structural elements, and which are intended for use as toys by children to build into structures in which children can play or reside.

A large number of known construction kits are primarily for children to build small scale buildings, or vehicles. The present invention provides for the construction of structures in which a child can actually crnwl, sit, stand, etc.

Furthermore, known construction kits comprise elements which must be locked together in already predetermined relationship. This can be due to the structural elements being designed to form an already predetermined shape, e.g. as shown in British Patent 1328631, the structural elements fitting together due to interlocking of integral parts which hold the elements in predetermined relationship e.g. British Patent 2145341, or the structural elements are held together by separate fastening means which also hold the panels in predetermined relationship to each other.

These limitations impose restrictions on the initiative of the children playing with the construction kit and the possibility of free variation are limited.

The present invention provides a structural element and construction kit that is simple, so that it can be utilised by a very young child, and can be formed in structures the shape of which is freely determined by the imagination and desire of the child.

Accordingly there is provided a structural element intended especially for children for detachably assembling into previously undefined structures in which a child can play wherein the structural element comprises a rectilinear panel of relatively rigid, low specific weight materials, having attachment points spaced around the peripheral edge of the panel for attachment in edge-to-edge relationship to another panel by detachable fasteners which allow the two panels to be oriented in substantially any desired angular relationship to each other.

There is also provided a construction kit composed of a plurality of structural elements as described above, together with a plurality of fasteners which are utilised for holding the structural elements together, said fasteners each being readily detachable from the elements, holding the elements together and allowing said elements to be orientated in substantially any desired angular relationship to each other, and being capable of holding a variable number of elements together.

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of structural elements according to this invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing more than two panels in edge-to-edge relationship, and Figures 3 to 14 are perspective views of a large number of structures which can be built with a construction kit according to this invention.

With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated structural elements 11 and 12 which are intended for detachably assembling together into previously undefined structures but which could be of the form shown in Figures 3 to 14. Each structural element is formed from panels of a relatively rigid, low specific weight material, for example expanded polystyrene foam, rigid polyurethane foam, or smooth faced corrugated paper or cardboard.

The panels 11 and 12 shown in Figure 1 are rectangular but other geometric shapes could be provided, e.g. hexagonal, triangular, The larger panel 11 has dimensions of 45 cms (18 inches) width, 90 cms (36 inches length) and a thickness as required to suit the material being used, for example about 1 cm (1/2 inch) for corrugated paper. The small panel 12 is 90 cm x 90 cms, so that the two panels 11 and 12 can be nestled together as required.

Each panel 11 or 12 has attachment points 13 spaced around its respective peripheral edge for attachment of a panel in edge-toedge relationship to another panel, for example the panel 11 A is attached to both the panel 1 1 B and the panel 1 1 C. The attachment points 13 are in the form of elongated apertures spaced around the peripheral edge margin of each panel. The apertures 13 in adjacent edges of panels being in alignment with each other. Adjacent panels are joined together by detachable fasteners in the form of straps 14 which form flexible hinges between adjacent panels. The straps 14 are about 2 cms wide (1 inch), preferably of variable overall operative length, allowing adjacent panels to be orientated at substantially any desired angle relative to each other.Furthermore, the number of panels that can be fixed together at any one edge may be varied as required by simply increasing or decreasing the operative length of each strap 14 so as to pass through the required number of panels.

For example in Figure 1, only two panels are joined together edge-to-edge, but in Figure 2, three panels are joined together.

The ends of the straps are preferably joined together by readily fastenable and releasable means, for example by use of a fabric with a surface of hooked pile threads which may interlock when pressed together, e.g. velcro (Trade Mark). The strips could comprise a fabric base with velcro at each end on opposite sides of the strap, or could alternatively be two strips of velcro shown end-to-end together with the pile surfaces facing in opposite directions-.

Alternatively, mechanical fastening means could be used to hold the ends of each strap together, e.g. buckles. Velcro has the advantage that the straps can easily be fastened and undone by small children.

Thus by using a plurality of panels 11 and 12, fastened together as described, a child can build a large number of structures in which he can play, store toys, etc., and only some of which are shown in Figures 3 to 14, the shape of the structures being limited by the number of panels 11 and 12 and the imagination of the child. Such structures are of course readily dismantalable for conversion into other differing structures. The dimensions of the panels, their lightness, the ease of operation of the fasteners, coupled with the versatility of the fastener, provides a toy construction kit which is simple enough for a young child (say 3-4 years old) to handle, whilst allowing fairly complicated structures to be built (Figure 3) in which children can actually stand, sit, crawl, or play.

Decorative apertures 15 as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 11 may be formed in some panels, or alternatively the panels could be faced with decorative matter that would appeal to children.

Claims

1. A structural element intended especially for children for detachably assembling into previously undefined structures in which a child can play wherein the structural element comprises a rectilinear panel of relatively rigid, low specific weight materials, having attachment points spaced around the peripheral edge of the panel for attachment in edge-toedge relationship to another panel by detachable fasteners which allow the two panels to be orientated in substantially any desired angular relationship to each other.

2. A structural element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the panel is a rectangular panel.

3. A structural element as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim wherein the attachment points are formed by apertures spaced around the peripheral edge margins of the panel.

4. A construction kit intended especially for children for assembly into previously undefined structures in which a child can play, wherein said kit comprises a plurality of structural elements as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, together with a plurality of fasteners which are utilised for holding the structural elements together; said fasteners each being readily detachable from the elements, holding the elements together, and allowing said elements to be orientated in substantially any desired angular relationship to each other, and being capable of holding a variable number of elements together.

5. A construction kit as claimed in Claim 4 when utilising structural elements as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the kit comprises rectangular panels having lengths equal to twice their widths, and half size square panels having sides equal to the widths of the rectangular panels.

6. A construction kit as claimed in Claim 5 and 6 when utilising structural elements as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each fastening means comprises a strap which can pass through aligned apertures in a plurality of panels, and the ends of which can be readily fastened together or unfastened as required.

7. A construction kit as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the ends of the strap are fastened together by use of a fabric with a surface of hooked pile threads which interlock when pressed together.

8. A structural element intended for detachably assembling into a structure in which a child can play and which is substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A construction kit intended for use by children to assemble into previously undefined structures and which is substantially as described herein.