An erectable play structure for children including one or more enclosures or pods (10, 11, 12) which may be interconnected by one or more access tunnels (14) the whole structure being formed predominantly from a non-self supporting material thus to be collapsible for storage and adapted to be connected to an air pump (18) whereby the internal pressure within the structure may be slightly in excess of ambient pressure thus to maintain the structure in an erect condition. One or more access ports (15, 16) and/or blanking plates (17) may be provided in each enclosure to allow or prevent access to or exit from the enclosure. The access ports (16) are constructed such that after passage there through they resume a closed condition to resist escape of air therethrough. Hook and loop fasteners or the like are used to attach the enclosures, tunnels and access ports together in assembly of the structure.

THIS INVENTION concerns erectable structures, particularly though not exclusively a play structure for children and including one or more enclosures or pods which may be inter-connected by one or more access tunnels, the whole structure being formed predominantly from a non-self supporting material thus to be collapsible for storage.

Some such known structures are maintained in an erect condition by a framework of a flexible material such as spring steel which however may be twisted and folded into a number of compact rings for storage but which when released spring open to form the structure, the walls of which are made from a fabric or other flexible material. These structures are extremely popular since in the erect condition they provide ample space for occupancy, yet they can be readily collapsed for storage in a compact form.

An object of the present invention is to provide an erectable structure which, predominately, does not rely upon a sprung framework for support and which, instead, relies upon the establishment of air pressure within the structure.

According to the present invention there is provided an erectable structure comprising a plurality of enclosures inter-connected by at least one access tunnel; characterised in that the walls of the structure are predominantly of a non-self supporting material thus to be capable of assuming a folded or collapsed state for storage; in that an air pump is connectable to the structure to inflate same to an erect condition for occupancy; and in that at least one air flow resistant port is provided for access to and from the structure while the erect condition is maintained.

The or each access tunnel is preferably detachable from the enclosures for storage.

The or each access tunnel may be supported by a flexible annular frame.

An escape flap may be provided in the wall of the or each access tunnel enabling an occupant to escape readily from the tunnel in an emergency.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate an erectable structure providing a child's play area, the structure, in this example, comprises four pods or enclosures10,11,12and13of sufficient size to be occupied by a child or adult standing, kneeling, or sitting interconnected by a plurality of access tunnels14.

As will be described, the pods and tunnels may be connected together in a number of different configurations as required to make up the overall play structure. Also, the means of attachment of the tunnels to the pods enables the structure to be readily erected and collapsed, and the parts of the structure are predominantly of a flexible and thus foldable and collapsible material such as a synthetic or natural fabric, so that they may be stored in a compact manner when required.

Each of the pods is provided with one or more ports15to which may be connected an access tunnel or an access member. In the example shown an access member16is connected to the pod10and access tunnels14are connected between the pods10and11,11and12and12and13respectively.

Ports15which are not otherwise connected to a tunnel or an access member may be closed, for example, by a blanking plate17. A further access member16is shown connected to pod13.

In this example therefore access to the structure may be, achieved via pod10or pod13and further access is provided between the pods10,11,12and13, via the tunnels14.

Once the parts are connected as described and illustrated, the whole structure may be inflated by an air pump18connected by duct19to the interior of the pod10. The pods11,12and13may be provided with similar connecting points for an air pump. The pump18is of sufficient working capacity to establish and maintain an air pressure within the structure which is above ambient pressure so that the entire structure assumes a substantially erect condition until such time as the pump18is switched off.

One or more escape flaps20are provided, preferably one in each access tunnel14, and these flaps are maintained in contact with the tunnel walls only by strips of hook and loop fastener e.g. VELCRO (registered trade mark) or the like thus to be readily detachable should it be necessary to provide an escape passage from a tunnel in an emergency.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the manner of attachment, at each port15, of an access tunnel14, an access member16or a blanking plate17, is provided by a flexible annular collar21attached to the wall22of a respective pod, and having attached thereto an annular strip comprising one part of a VELCRO fastener23.

At each end of each access tunnel14is a stiffening hoop24which serves to maintain the required circular shape of the access tunnel. Attached to the outer wall surface of the tunnel adjacent the hoop24is the other part25of the VELCRO fastener. Thus, by joining the two parts23and25of the fastener a substantially air flow-resistant seal is provided in the wall between the interior of the pod and that of the tunnel.

Referring now toFIG. 4, each access member16which may be referred to as a ‘door set’, comprises an annular part26of a flexible material surrounded by a semi-rigid hoop27and defining a central access passage28. Strips29of VELCRO fastener are provided on the annular part26.

Thus, as can be seen inFIG. 6the access member16may be attached to the VELCRO fastener23of a collar21in place of an access tunnel14.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is stitched at30to the inner face of the annular part26a plurality of discs31arranged in mutually overlapping relationship. Each disc31may be of a similar material to the annular part26and bounded by a semi-rigid frame32. Alternatively the discs31may be of a rigid material. Elastic strips33connect together circumferential parts of the respective overlapping discs31.

Thus, passage through the door set into or out of the enclosures is achieved through the passage28, by pushing the discs31aside. The discs subsequently return to the closed condition by virtue of the elastic strips33. During passage through a door set, there is a certain loss of internal air pressure, which may cause some relaxation of the entire structure. While this relaxation may be visible nevertheless like structure remains substantially erect and returns to its fully inflated condition once the door set closes and internal pressure is re-established.

Blanking plates17may be formed as disc-like members similar to the door set illustrated inFIG. 4but without an access passage28and without overlapping discs31.

Indeed, door sets similar to that illustrated at16may be provided at each port not otherwise occupied by an access tunnel so that entry and access to the structure may be effected at a number of positions.

The walls of the pods and the tunnels may be entirely or partially transparent or decorated with suitable indicia according to the intended theme of the structure.

The door set illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, being a detachable item, may be used with other forms of play structure such as those which are maintained in an erect condition by a sprung frame, but they have particular application in the present case where the provision of overlapping discs enables access to the structure while the erect condition of the structure is maintained. The use of VELCRO fastener on all ports also serves to maintain the air pressure within the structure, only minimal bleeding of air being permitted around the ports and around the escape flaps20.

Each door set conveniently comprises four overlapping discs31but in some applications as few as three or even two larger discs would suffice provided they overlap sufficiently to serve as a closure for access passage28.FIGS. 7ato7cillustrate three alternative arrangements of overlapping plates for the door sets. InFIG. 7athere are two overlapping sheets which may be parted like curtains but which are elasticated so that they resume an airflow resistant closure.FIG. 7bhas three circular discs in place of the four discs shown inFIG. 5, andFIG. 7chas four overlapping plates each of a trapezoidal shape.