MULTI-PANEL VARIABLE STRUCTURE

The invention of the present disclosure may be a temporary structure comprising a plurality of conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to reversibly attach to at least two of the plurality of conduits.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of temporary structures, specifically apparatuses and methods that enable multi-panel temporary lightweight structures.

INTRODUCTION

Many temporary structures on the market are limited to a single configuration of a fixed size and orientation. These structures offer very little in the way of customization. Such structures can quickly become boring to children and a burden to families once they are not played with, especially given the difficult installation and substantial investment.

Current structures for children are often rigid and made of rigid materials including wood, or metal. Frequently, such structure kits include an assortment of hardware and are often very difficult to assemble. Once assembled, depending on the size of the structure, they can be very difficult to move or dispose of once the child has outgrown the structure.

As current play structures usually consist of heavy rigid walls and fixed connections, they are not easily modified or updated for extended use. It would be desirable to have apparatuses and methods for play structures of simple construction, variable size, and multiple configurations.

Further, it would be desirable to have play structures that are adaptable to the changing needs of children. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide structures that can easily collapse, be transported, and/or stored.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure may be a temporary structure comprising a plurality of conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to reversibly attach to at least two of the plurality of conduits.

In a further embodiment, each of the plurality of connectors comprise an elevated portion disposed centrally to each of the plurality of connectors; an attachment member length traversing an inner attachment member end to an outer attachment member end; an attachment member diameter traversing a cross section of the outer attachment member end; and an elevated portion height traversing the attachment member to the elevated portion. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of conduits comprises a lumen diameter traversing an inside of the lumen; a lumen wall at least partially enveloping the lumen; and a lumen wall height. The lumen wall height may be equivalent to the elevated portion height.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of panels further comprises at least one featureless edge; at least one wrapping edge, each wrapping edge comprising a fastener; and a fastener receiver, wherein the fastener is configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver, and wherein each wrapping edge is configured to at least partially surround a conduit. The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener and the fastener receiver are disposed parallel to the wrapping edge. The fastener and/or the fastener receiver may be attached to the panel with stitching and/or an adhesive.

Each of the plurality of panels may further comprise a first pair of edges; and a second pair of edges; wherein the first pair of edges comprise two wrapping edges, and wherein the second pair of edges may comprise two featureless edges. Further, each of the plurality of panels may be configurable for a vertical orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a top edge and a bottom edge, and a horizontal orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a left edge and a right edge.

In an embodiment, adjacent panels of the plurality of panels alternate between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. Each of the plurality of panels may comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge; four partial wrapping edges, where each of the four partial wrapping edges may comprise a wrapping portion and a featureless portion, wherein the wrapping portion may be configured to at least partially surround a conduit, wherein the wrapping portion may include a fastener and a fastener receiver, and wherein the fastener may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver.

The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. Further, the fastener and the fastener receiver may be disposed parallel to the partial wrapping edge. In an embodiment, the plurality of connectors comprise a cross, a 3-way tee, a 4-way tee, a 5-way tee, a right 3-way elbow, an obtuse 3-way elbow, and a 4-way elbow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention adds a whole new dimension to temporary structures, specifically those configured as play structures.

Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures will be identified by like reference numbers. In some figures, components, such as additional electrical connections or fasteners have been omitted for clarity in the drawings. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “or” means “either or both” such that “A or B” includes A alone, B alone, and both A and B together.

The invention of the present disclosure may be an apparatus for facilitating customizable structures for children and parents by using various panels, conduits, and connectors to build unique play spaces. In an embodiment, the structure may utilize several different connectors to design structures of different shapes and functions. Accordingly, panels, connectors, and conduits may be switched to update or expand the child's play. In a further embodiment, structures and/or components of adjacent structures may be connected together to create nearly infinite designs. The structure may be easily assembled and disassembled, such that the components of the structure may be conveniently stored.

Referring toFIG.1, the invention of the present disclosure may be a structure100. The structure100may be comprised of a plurality of conduits102, a plurality of panels104, and/or a plurality of connectors134. In an embodiment, a unit108may be comprised of four conduits102, each disposed orthogonally and in a single plane, such that the unit108is rectangle and/or square. However, the unit108may be any suitable shape. The unit108may be a metric utilized for determining the dimensions of the structure100. For example, a particular side of the structure100may be8units wide by5units tall. Moreover, each unit108may be configured to accept one panel104.

In an embodiment, the structure100includes a front face110, a rear face112(not shown), a left side114, a right side116, a top side118, and a base120. The base120may be the bottom perimeter of the structure100formed by the bottom portions of the front face110, the rear face112, the left side114, and the right side116. The base120may be configured to interface with the ground surface (for example, a tile floor, carpet, or lawn). Accordingly, the plane of the base120may be parallel to the ground surface. In another embodiment, the base120is a planar member disposed orthogonal to the front face110, the rear face112, the left side114, and the right side116. Alternatively, the base120may be a fabric material (for example, similar to that of the panels104), disposed along the opening formed by the bottom ends of the front face110, rear face112, left side114, and right side116.

The top side118may include a left incline portion124and a right incline portion126. The left incline portion124and the right incline portion126may be angled beginning at the top portions of the left side114and the right side116, respectively, and extending to an apex of the top side118. However, in various embodiments the structure may not include a top side118. For example, the structure100may have an open top. Moreover, the top side118may be substantially flat or may include any number of incline portions in any arrangement or disposed at any suitable angle.

A cavity122may be defined as the space formed by the front face110, the rear face112, the left side114, the right side116, the top side118, and/or the base120or the ground surface. The cavity122may be sized to temporarily house one or more people, for example, one or more children.

In an embodiment, the front face110may include a front aperture128and the rear face112may include a rear aperture130. However, the structure100may include any number or combination of apertures, disposed on any suitable portion of the structure100. The structure100may include a passage132enabling fluid communication between the environment and the cavity122. The passage132may be disposed on any portion of the structure100, for example, the front face110. The passage132may be configured and/or sized to function as a door, enabling a user to enter the cavity122. In an embodiment, the passage132is bound by the ground surface and the front face110, such that the passage132does not rest upon a bare conduit102. Thus, the bottom portion of the passage132traverses the ground surface. In another embodiment, the bottom portion of the passage132traverses a bare conduit102. For example, the passage132may be two vertically disposed units that do not include panels104. In an alternate embodiment, the passage132includes one or more panels104, wherein the panels104are swivably attached to the structure, enabling an individual to push through the panels104upon entering the cavity122.

Referring toFIGS.2A-2G, the structure100may include a number of configurations of connectors134. For the purposes of this disclosure, connector134may be a genus referring to any of the connector species202-214or any other suitable alternative.FIG.2Adepicts cross connector202. The cross connector202may include four attachment members216disposed radially, at right angles, within the same plane.FIG.2Bdepicts a 3-way tee204. The 3-way tee204may include three attachment members216, such that a first attachment member216is disposed at a right angle to a second attachment member216and the second attachment member216is disposed at a right angle to a third attachment member216, wherein all attachment members216are disposed in the same plane.FIG.2Cdepicts a 4-way tee206. The 4-way tee206may include four attachment members216, wherein two attachment members216are disposed at a straight angle and the other two attachment members216are disposed at a right angle.FIG.2Ddepicts a 5-way tee208. The 5-way tee208may include five attachment members216, wherein four attachment members are disposed in a first plane and the fifth attachment member is disposed orthogonal to the first plane.FIG.2Edepicts a right 3-way elbow210. The right 3-way elbow210may include three attachment members216, wherein each attachment member is disposed at a right angle to the other two attachment members.FIG.2Fdepicts an obtuse 3-way elbow212. The obtuse 3-way elbow212may include three attachment members, wherein at least two of the three attachment members are disposed at obtuse angles.FIG.2Gdepicts a 4-way elbow214. The 4-way elbow214may include four attachment members. In an embodiment, the angles between the attachment members216of the 4-way elbow214may be a function of the length, width, and/or height of the structure walls110/112/114/116. For example, the angles of the attachment members216of the 4-way elbow214may be optimized for use in supporting the top side118, wherein the structure walls110/112/114/116may each include nine units108or three conduits102long by three conduits102wide. However, any of the aforementioned connectors may include attachment members216disposed at angles based on the dimensions of the structure walls110/112/114/116or top side118.

Referring toFIG.3, a connector134may comprise one or more attachment members216and an elevated portion218. Each attachment member216may comprise an attachment member length220. The attachment member length220may extend from the attachment member inner end (for example, the border of the attachment member216and elevated portion218) to the outer end of the attachment member216. The attachment member length220may be any suitable length, such that the conduit102securely, yet reversibly, attaches to the connector134. The outer end of the attachment member216may have an attachment member diameter222(for example, along a cross section of the outer end of the attachment member). In an embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member216may be open. However, in another embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member216may be closed. In a further embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member216may be angled to enable easy insertion.

In an embodiment, the attachment member216is configured to enter the conduit102(for example, the attachment member216being a male adapter and the conduit102being a female adapter).

The elevated portion218may be a portion of the connector134, for example, the center portion of the connector134, wherein the connector134is thicker than the attachment member(s)216. Thus, an elevated portion height224may extend from the outer surface of the attachment member216to the top surface of the elevated portion218. For example, the elevated portion height224may be measured from the surface of the inner end of the attachment member216to the top surface of the elevated portion218, where the elevated portion218meets the attachment member216.

Each conduit102may include a lumen302, wherein the lumen302has a lumen diameter304. The lumen302may be the hollow portion of the conduit102, for example, bound by the lumen wall306. The lumen wall306may have a lumen wall height308. In an embodiment, each conduit102may include a standard length, for example, 14 inches. Accordingly, each conduit102may be the same length. In various embodiments, the conduit102may be any suitable length.

The conduit102may be composed of a plastic material, for example, a high density plastic, polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic, or any other suitable plastic material. In another embodiment, the conduit102may be composed of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable metal material.

The lumen302may be sized and configured to accept the attachment member216. For example, the lumen302may be sized to accept at least the attachment member length220. The lumen diameter304may be the same size or slightly larger than the attachment member diameter222. The lumen diameter304and the attachment member diameter222may be arranged such that interfacing the connector134and the conduit102creates a fitment sufficient to support the structure100. In an embodiment, the wall height308and the elevated portion height224are the same, such that the surfaces of the conduit102and the elevated portion218are continuous and “seamless” when a conduit102and connector134are attached.

Referring toFIG.4, a plurality of conduits102may be connected with various connectors134to form the structure100. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of conduits102shares the same length, such that each unit108shares the same area. However, in another embodiment, the structure100may include an extended conduit, enabling use of an extended panel106.

In an alternate embodiment, the structure100may include shortened conduits. Each of the shortened conduits may be roughly half the standard length, while accounting for the width of the connector134, which may be disposed between two shortened conduits. For example, if the standard length of the conduit102is 14 inches, each shortened conduit may be 6 inches, accounting for the elevated portion218being 2 inches. Thus, two shortened conduits and one attachment member216may account for the same spatial dimensions as one conduit102.

Referring toFIG.5A, a panel104may include one or more featureless edges502, one or more wrapping edges504, one or more fasteners506, and one or more fastener receivers508. In an embodiment, the panel104may have an engaged state and an unengaged state. In an engaged state, the panel104may be attached to the structure100. For example, in an engaged state, one or more wrapping edges504may be tethered, via one or more fasteners506and one or more fastener receivers508, to one or more conduits102. In an unengaged state, the panel104may be separate from the structure100and/or the fastener506and fastener receiver508may be detached. In an embodiment, the panel104may have a top edge512, a bottom edge514, a left edge516, and a right edge518. The panel104may be composed of fabric, polyester, nylon, or any other suitable material.

The fastener506may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver508. For example, the fastener506may be the “hook” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener and the fastener receiver508may be the “loop” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener. However, the fastener506and/or the fastener receiver508may be any suitable mechanisms for reversibly affixing the panel104to the structure100. As non-limiting examples, the fastener506and the fastener receiver508may be a zipper, one or more buttons, or a non-permanent adhesive. Alternatively, the fastener506and/or the fastener receiver508may be permanently affixed, such that the panel104is not removable from the structure100.

In an embodiment, an opposing pair of sides may include wrapping edges504and the other opposing pair of sides may include featureless edges502. Accordingly, the panel104may include two wrapping edges504and two featureless edges502. However, the panel104may include any number of sides, and thus any number of wrapping edges504and/or featureless edges502. In a further embodiment, the panel104, for example, the extended panel106, may include two or more wrapping edges per side.

The panel104may be in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. In a vertical orientation the wrapping edges504may be on the top edge512and the bottom edge514of the panel104. In a horizontal orientation the wrapping edges504may be on the left edge516and the right edge of the518of the panel104. Thus, adjacent units108may include alternating horizontally oriented and vertically oriented panels104. In such an embodiment, each panel104may attach to the structure100, such that the wrapping edges504do not interfere with the wrapping edges504of adjacent panels104.

In an alternate embodiment, the fastener506of a first panel may be configured to attach with the fastener receiver508of a second panel104. In another alternate embodiment, each panel104may include four wrapping edges504, such that at least two of the four wrapping edges504attach to the structure100and the other two of the four wrapping edges504attach to adjacent panels104. In such an embodiment, the wrapping edges504that attach to adjacent panels104may close the gap between the two adjacent panels104(for example, decrease the draft or airflow).

Referring toFIG.5B, a panel104may include one or more partial wrapping edges510. In an embodiment, the partial wrapping edges510may include a featureless section and a wrapping section. For example, roughly half of a panel edge may include a featureless section and roughly half of a panel edge may include a wrapping section. Further, the partial wrapping edge510may include a section of fastener and fastener receiver that is as long as the wrapping portion. However, in an alternate embodiment, the fastener and/or fastener receiver may be longer than the wrapping section of the partial wrapping edge510.

In an embodiment, each of the top edge512, the bottom edge514, the left edge516, and the right edge518, include a partial wrapping edge510, wherein each edge includes an equal length of wrapping. Referring toFIG.5B, the top edge512may include a length of wrapping on the right portion of the top edge512, the right edge518may include a length of wrapping on the bottom portion of the right edge518, the bottom edge514may include a length of wrapping on the left portion of the bottom edge514, and the left edge516may include a length of wrapping on the top portion of the left edge516. Accordingly, the wrapping portions may be configured such that the wrapping portions of one panel104do not interfere with the wrapping portions of an adjacent panel104. Further, each wrapping portion may be disposed a distance from the corner, such that the wrapping portion does not interfere with the connector. For example, each wrapping portion may be set 2 inches from the corner, enabling the wrapping portion to surround a conduit102without contacting the connector.

In another embodiment, each panel104may include one or more spines disposed parallel to one or more edges of the panel104. The spines may be disposed along the one or more edges. Each spine may include one or more clips, wherein the clips are configured to mount the panel104to the structure100. As a non-limiting example, the clips may be configured to grasp the cylindrical surface of a conduit102. Thus, in one embodiment, each panel104may include two clips one each spine, wherein the panel104includes one spine on each edge. However, in various embodiments, the panel may include any quantity, arrangement, or position of clips. In an embodiment, one or more edges of the panel include a hemmed loop, where the loop contains the spine. In a further embodiment, each loop may include one or more holes sized to accept a clip. Accordingly, the spine may reside within the loop, yet the clips may extend through the hole to grasp to a conduit102.

In an embodiment, the structure may include large panels configured to traverse one or more sides110/112/114/116/118. For example, a large panel may be sized to cover an area of six units by three units (for example the front side110and left side114ofFIG.1). As a further example, the structure ofFIG.1would require two large panels, where each large panel is six panels wide and three panels tall. In an embodiment, one or more of the large panels may include a void sized and configured to overlay the passage132. Each large panel may include one or more straps, loops, clips, or fasteners arranged to reversibly attach the large panel to the structure100. For example, each corner of the large panel may include a fabric loop configured to surround the conduit102or connector at each walls corner. In such an example, a user may place the fabric loop around the conduit102or connector134, then attach the conduit102to the connector134, such that the fabric loop is captured by the conduit102and/or connector134.

The fastener506and the fastener receiver508may be disposed on the same side of the panel104. In another embodiment, the fastener506and the fastener receiver508may be disposed on different sides of the panel104(for example, the fastener506on the front surface and the fastener receiver508on the rear surface). The fastener506and fastener receiver506may be thin, long rectangular members stitched into the panel104. The fastener506may be located at the outer most edge of the panel104and the fastener receiver508may be located a distance from the fastener506, such that the fastener506contacts the fastener receiver508when the edge is wrapped around a conduit102.

Referring toFIG.5C, the panels ofFIG.5Amay be utilized to cover one or more walls of the temporary structure. In such an embodiment, the orientation of each adjacent panel104may be rotated ninety degrees to accommodate each panel's wrapping edges. Accordingly, each panel104may be arranged in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation to accommodate the adjacent panels104.

Referring toFIG.5D, the panels ofFIG.5Bmay be utilized to cover one or more walls of the temporary structure. In such an embodiment, the orientation of each adjacent panel104may remain the same, as each partial wrapping edge is configured to accommodate adjacent panels104in the same orientation.

While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.