GB2359761A

GB2359761A - Collapsible slide and play car

Info

Publication number: GB2359761A
Application number: GB0004709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Alexander Pearce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-29
Filing date: 2000-02-29
Publication date: 2001-09-05
Also published as: GB0004709D0

Description

2359761 1 COLLAPSIBLE PLAY SLIDE AND CAR The present invention relates to

a collapsible slide and car, and more particularly to a structure into which a child may enter to play.

Hitherto, a child's play slide has been formed as a rigid structure providing no more than a smooth slope inclined to the ground, and, in most cases some steps to enable a child to climb to the top of the slope. Such structures are normally too bulky to store when not in use, do not also provide an internal space in which a child may play, and do not allow an alternative use as a play car.

1 have now devised a structure that overcomes the limitations of existing slides.

In accordance with the existing invention, there is provided a collapsible slide comprising opposite triangular (preferably right- angled) first and second walls, a floor panel extending between the bottom of said walls, a top panel extending between the inclined edge of said walls. Each of said walls has a respective panel extending therefrom and arranged to pivot between a position lying in the same plane as as attached wall to allow both to collapse, and a right angle position to support to top panel.

Preferably, a flap extends from the highest edge of said top panel and is arranged to pivot so as to attach to said wall extension panels to hold them in a vertical position and make the slide top edge rigid.

Preferably a panel extends from the an edge of said floor panel and is arranged pivot. up against said wall extension panels to further support said extension panels in a vertical position.

Preferably the main part of the collapsible slide is formed from two blanks of sheet material, e.g. cardboard, and may be folded flat for transportation or storage.

Preferably, a panel is cut into the floor panel and arranged to pivot up to a perpendicular position so as to buttress the central area of the slide and held in position by its distal edge butting up against a plate fixed to the underside of the top panel.

Preferably, when the slide is turned over, this buttressing panel may be regarded as a play-car dashboard by arranging that an oval shaped panel can pivot away from the buttressing panel so as to allow it to be held as a steering wheel.

Preferably, the structure can be strengthened by a panel of sheet material such that it forms an end wall to the slide and provides slots for attaching said top panel extension flap and wall extension panels in a vertical position. This strengthening panel has two end panels arranged to pivot vertically and extend into the slide body such that they lie flat against the inner surface of the slide walls and are equal in height to the walls where they overlap the walls. This arrangement will prevent the end wall entering the main body of the slide and thereby provide an immovable panel to which the wall extension panels and top panel extension flap can be attached.

Preferably, a flap extending from the top edge of the strengthening panel, and intended to slip under the slide top panel, will allow a large panel to be cut so as to pivot on the top edge of the strengthening panel to provide a door enabling a child to climb into the slide.

Preferably, an extension to the floor panel extension can fold through the doorway to be fixed to the inside of the strengthening panel. By this arrangement the floor panel extension will strengthen doorsill and thereby provide a strong step to enable a child to climb onto the top edge of the slide.

Preferably, a hole will be cut near the distal end of the door panel in the shape of a keyhole which will provide access for a large play key designed such that a gap between the handle and the first key tooth will closely fit around the door sill when turned in the keyhole and thereby lock the door.

A slide comprising opposite triangular first and seconds walls, a floor panel extending between the bottom edges of said walls, and a top panel extending between the inclined edges of said walls, the slide being arranged to be turned over for use as a play car.

2 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of three blanks of sheet material used to form the collapsible slide and car in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows two perspective views of the collapsible slide and car orientated for use as a slide.

Figure 3 shows two perspective views of the collapsible slide and car orientated for use as a playcar.

Figure 4 is a series of perspective views showing how a collapsed collapsible slide and car may be expanded for use.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there are shown three blanks from a sheet of stiff corrugated material. The blanks are formed with various cuts (shown as solid lines) and pre-scored fold lines (shown as dotted lines) to allow the sheets to be folded when combined into a form that can be played with as a slide or a car, shown respectively in Figures 2 and 3. In either case a strong structure is formed in or upon which children may play.

Pre-scored fold lines divide blank A into side walls 2 and 8, and panel 6. For fastening blank A to blank B, pre-scored fold lines provide flaps 10 and 13 for gluing or otherwise fastening to the outer region of respective side walls 2 and 8.

Folds 3 and 9 allow the combined blanks A and B to be folded flat as partially shown in Figure 4a by collapsing the side walls and their extensions in conjunction with bringing the panel 6 flat over the panel 11 thus resulting in a compacted structure ostensibly no wider than panel 6.

Figure 4b, shows dashboard panel 5 pivoted on panel 6 until it is perpendicular with panel 6 at which position it will have the maximum buttressing effect between panels 6 and 11. Panel 5 can be locked in position by fastening a small sheet 12 to blank B such that one edge butts against the edge of panel 4 which is connected to the most displaced edge of panel 5. When panel 4 is pivoted on panel 5 it is arranged that gaps are made either side of a central stem so that a child can extend one or both legs into one of these gaps.

A small panel 7 can pivot away from panel 5 so as to resemble a steering wheel.

Pre-scored fold lines divide a detachable blank C into an end wall 28 and two large flaps 26 and 22. Figure 4c shows how the side walls 2 and 8 can be fortified against collapsing by folding flaps 26 and 22 and inserting them between and against the side walls 2 and 8 respectively thereby bringing the end wall 28 into an upright position. Extension flap 32 is folded underneath to slide over and past flap 15 in this operation.

Figure 4d shows how flaps 19 and 30 are arranged to further strengthen the walls by pivoting towards one another such that their corners 31 and 18 meet. Figure 4e then shows how Flap 15 is arranged to fold over flaps 19 and 30 so that tabs 14 and 16 can be inserted into slots 1 and 17, and 27 and 21 respectively.

Figure 4e also shows how panel 29 extending from panel 6 can also lock flaps 30 and 19 adjacent to one another by pivoting so as to pass flap 20 through the doorway formed by flap 23 and then downwards to insert its end into slot 24. For the purpose of using this invention as a slide, this arrangement produces a strong step where weight is distributed between the four panels 28, 29, 30 and 19.

Flap 23 may be used as a door enabling a child to climb under the slide pivoting so that it rests near its closed position. Flap 23 may also be considered as a car boot lid when the structure is turned over for use as a play car. Hole 25 provides a finger hold for opening and closing the access and for the insertion of a key (not shown) to catch around the doorsill and thereby hold the door in a closed position.

The slide thus described is both cheap to manufacture and provides the advantages of being readily turned over for use as a play car and of being easily folded flat for storage.

3 t

Claims

1) A collapsible slide comprising opposite triangular (preferably rightangled) first and second walls, a floor panel extending between the bottom of said walls, a top panel extending between the inclined edge of said walls, each of said walls having a respective panel extending therefrom and arranged to pivot between a position lying in the same plane as its attached wall to allow both to collapse, and a right angle position to support to top panel. A slide comprising opposite triangular first and seconds walls, a floor panel extending between the bottom edges of said walls, and a top panel extending between the inclined edges of said walls, the slide being arranged to be turned over for use as a play car.

3) A slide as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, formed from two blanks of sheet material that may be folded flat.

4) A slide as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a flap extends from the highest edge of said top panel and is arranged pivot against and attach to said wall extension panels to make the slide top rigid and hold said extension panels in a vertical position.

5) A slide as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a panel extends from the an edge of said floor panel and is arranged pivot against and attach to said wall extension panels to hold said extension panels in a vertical position.

6) A slide as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a panel is cut into the floor panel and arranged to pivot up to a perpendicular position so as to buttress the central area of the slide.

7) A slide as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the said buttressing panel is held in position by its distal edge butting up against a plate fixed to the underside of the top panel either directly or by arranging that a part of the said buttressing panel can pivot to lie against the top panel.

8) A slide as claimed in Claim 7, wherein, W the slide is tumed over, the said buttressing panel may appear to a child more like a cars dashboard, by arranging that an ovoid panel can pivot away from the buttressing panel so as to allow it to be held as a steering wheel.

9) A slide as claimed in Claim 8, wherein, if the slide is turned over, the said buttressing panel may appear to a child more like a cars dashboard, by arranging that the buttressing panel only performs this function with a central stem thereby providing a gap either side large enough for a child to extend both legs.

10) A slide as claimed in Claim 5 or Claims 6 to 9, wherein the structure can be strengthened by a panel of sheet material such that k forms an end wall to the slide and provides slots for attaching said top panel extension flap and wall extension panels in a vertical position.

11) A slide as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the inserted strengthening panel has two end panels arranged to pivot vertically and extend into the slide body such that they lie flat against the inner surface of the slide walls and are equal in height to the walls where they overlap the walls.

12) A slide as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the inserted strengthening panel has a flap arranged to pivot horizontally and extend into the slide body under the top panel to provide an axis for a door panel to pivot so as to serve as a door into the slide.

13) A slide as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a flap, formed along the distal edge of said floor panel extension panel, can pass through the doorway and pivot back to be attached to the inner surface of said end wall panel providing door sill as a strong step to allow a child to climb onto the top panel.

14) A slide as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a hole cut near the distal end of the door panel will provide access for a large play key designed such that a gap between the handle and the first key tooth will closely fit around the door sill when turned in the keyhole and thereby lock the door.