Abstract:
The present invention provides a nativity stable structure particularly for use with larger nativity figures (24 inches in height, or greater) which is made of tubular and solid metal bars, rods and sheet members and fittings or connectors that can be economically made, shipped, packaged, assembled, such as in a kit or kits, and used to house the larger nativity figures. When Christmas has passed, the nativity stable structure of the present invention can be easily disassembled and repackaged in its shipping carton(s) and easily stored in compact, minimum footprint and volume. Further sheet flooring is included in the package or kit upon which the nativity figures can be placed. The flooring is made in a plurality of identical segments and is compact and also easily shipped and stored. Further, to facilitate erection of the nativity stable on an uneven ground (and generally lawns are somewhat uneven and should have some slope for drainage), the legs of the nativity stable structure are telescopic and can be fixed at a desired position to level the floor and nativity stable.

Description:
DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    This application is a United States Non-Provisional Application claiming the priority, benefit and filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/395,912, filed on May 19, 2010, of the same title and same inventor, David R. Hickey, said Provisional application which is incorporated by reference herein as is fully set forth, and relates to a nativity stable structure and method for making and providing the nativity stable structure, which could be in the form of a kit for providing the same, particularly one that is economical to build, conveniently shipped, easily erected, used, stored and re-erected, and now includes low voltage lighting for the nativity stable. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Nativity scenes are frequently erected around Christmas time, and they usually utilize figures small enough to put under a Christmas tree. These figures are placed in and about a nativity stable. When the figures are small, say 6 inches in height or less, the nativity stable is small, say a foot or less in height and is generally formed as a completed structure. 
         [0003]    Now nativity figures are available in larger and different heights, for example, 24 inches, 36 inches, 50 inches and 60 inches, and may be even larger. 
         [0004]    Now a nativity stable structure to house the larger figures will increase with the size of the figures. With the figure sizes shown in the Table 1 below, a suitable stable size might be at least: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 * Nativity Stable Size for: A or (A + B) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Figure 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Erected  
               
               
                 Size 
                 Width 
                 Depth 
                 Height 
                 Erected 
                 Footprint 
               
               
                 Inches 
                 Inches 
                 Inches 
                 Inches 
                 Vol. Ft 3   
                 Area Ft 2   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 24 
                 76 
                 39 
                 63 
                 108 
                 21 
               
             
          
           
               
                 36 
                 89 
                 39 
                 (76) 71 
                   
                 143 
                 (273) 
                 24  
                 (47) 
               
               
                 50 
                 125 
                 51 
                 (100) 
                 81 
                 299  
                 (587) 
                 44  
                 (87) 
               
               
                 60 
                 125 
                 51 
                 (100) 
                 89 
                 329  
                 (645) 
                 44  
                 (87) 
               
               
                 72 
                 144 
                 60  
                 (118) 
                 97 
                 485  
                 (954) 
                 60  
                 (118) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 others 
                 1.5 to 2.5 × 
                 0.8 to 2.5 × 
                 1.5 to 3 × 
                 4 to 7 × 
                 0.7 to 1 × 
               
               
                   
                 Figure 
                 (2 to  
                 Figure 
                 (8 to  
                 (1.3 to  
               
               
                   
                 Height 
                 2.5) × 
                 Height 
                 14) × 
                 2) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Figure 
                   
                 Figure 
                 Figure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Height 
                   
                 Height 
                 Height 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 * Based on utilization of present invention herein disclosed Kit A and (Accessory Kit B) and NOT the prior art. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0005]    As can be seen from the above, with larger size figures, the nativity stable needs to be quite large, and if made of conventional construction of studs, floor beams, rafters and covering sheets of wood, be heavy, expensive to build, take up a large volume and footprint or floor space, may not be deconstructable, is difficult to move and/or store and require large equipment to move, and would require a large storage area. See footprints and erected volumes above. For the foregoing reasons, many nativity displays with large figures as above have no nativity stable at all, and the figures, which can be quite expensive (say from $300.00 to $4,500.00 dollars each), are merely set outside in the environment. Due to weather conditions (ice, snow, sleet, etc.) and sunlight exposure, being outside can also accelerate discoloration and/or deterioration of the figures. Further, there being no protective structure may make it more difficult to secure and prevent theft of these expensive figures. Without a nativity stable, optimum displays, such as including domestic animals, angels, etc. thereabout might not be made. Further, if a conventional nativity stable for larger size figures is to be constructed, then due in part to its larger size, the ground conditions and unevenness must be taken into account when building the conventional nativity stable structure, and doing so would further increase costs and expense, and can limit the ability to place the nativity stable and nativity scene on the ground in a desired location, and when the season is over prevent movement of the conventionally built nativity stable to another location and/or storage of the same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a nativity stable structure particularly for use with larger (say 24 inches height on up) nativity figures, which structure is made of tubular and solid metal bars, rods and sheet members and connecting fittings that can be economically made, packaged, shipped, assembled, such as in a kit, and used to display and/or house the larger nativity figures. When Christmas has passed, the nativity stable structure of the present invention can be easily disassembled and repackaged in its shipping carton and easily stored in a compact, minimum footprint and volume. Further, sheet metal (such as aluminum or preferably painted or powder coated steel) flooring is included in the package or kit upon which the nativity figures can be placed. The flooring is made in a plurality of several identical segments to provide the nativity stable floor, and is also compact and easily shipped and stored. Further, to facilitate erection of the nativity stable on an uneven ground (and generally all lawns are somewhat uneven as they should have some slope for drainage), there are provided adjustable ground supports or legs with feet. In fact the ground supports or legs even permit up to 0 to 28 inches of adjustment for each ground engaging element or leg of the nativity stable of the present invention so that it can even be erected on a hillside up to, say a slope of 20 to 25 degrees. Further, the ground engaging legs or supports include ground engaging and pressure spreading feet portions or pads to prevent them from sinking into softer ground, mud or snow. The fact the nativity stable is made of tubing, such as steel, it has considerable weight so that it is not likely to shift or be blown over in the wind, but yet is light enough to be easily shipped, erected and/or moved into place. To further assure against movement by the wind, ground engaging hook means can be included to anchor the stable and its legs to the ground, the legs having an opening to receive the hook. 
         [0007]    While tubular elements form the support structure for the walls, floor and roof, the latter are covered with artistic panels or coverings to provide the illusion of how a nativity stable might look at the time of Jesus&#39; birth. To facilitate shipment and storage, these panels are flexible and may be folded, or preferably rolled up, together to minimize space requirements in the package and to prevent creasing. These panels may have grommets therein and be held to the tubular or other structural portions of the nativity stable of the present invention by releasable, reusable straps such as nylon electrical ties of such type. 
         [0008]    Now as the nativity stables to be built come in different sizes to accommodate different size figures as noted above, they are all constructed using the same connecting fittings or fitments, but the lengths of straight sections of tubing between the fittings or fitments or bends therein are altered or extended to provide the different sizes of nativity stables. If needed for support on the even larger sizes, additional structural elements using the same fitments and tubular pieces may be provided to span the greater or additional distances on larger size nativity stables. However, the principal fitments remain the same so that there is great manufacturing economy of making a larger number of the same fitments and to provide them for all the size nativity stables by just increasing the lengths of the straight sections or sections between the fitments (or bends). 
         [0009]    Using the present invention one could move from one size of large nativity figures to a different (usually larger) size, but yet reuse much of the prior nativity stable&#39;s fitments, and need only a minimum number of new pieces and different (or larger size) artistic panels forming or covering the walls and roof. Optionally, an artistic floor panel could also be provided to cover the floor so that the user need not even obtain additional straw or hay. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the nativity stable structure made from a kit “A” for same and made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the bare framework of the nativity stable structure of  FIG. 1A  without rear or side panels, roof cover, floor panels or figures associated therewith being shown. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of all the pieces of the “A” kit for creating the primary or first embodiment of the nativity stable structure of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2B and 2C  provide a perspective view of the boxes or containers within which the “A” kit are shipped or delivered and stored. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one built up leg of the nativity stable structure, showing same to be telescopic and having a circular pad on a bottom edge thereof which distributes the weight of the structure across a larger surface area, and showing a mid back horizontal or T-connector of the kit engaged on the top of the leg. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the second combined embodiment structure of the nativity stable structure showing the combination of an “A” kit structure with an accessory “B” kit structure, which “B” kit comprises two offset lower platform frame sides used to create a lower level at the front of the nativity stable structure, for the combined second embodiment of the nativity stable structure but without any floor panels, rear panel, side panel or roof cover thereon. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of all the pieces of the accessory “B” kit for creating the front portion of the second embodiment for engagement to the nativity stable structure of  FIG. 1A , as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , to create the combined second embodiment of the nativity stable structure using the Kit (A) and Accessory Kit (B). 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged perspective view of a corner and two way (90° horizontal) connector for the structure and the kit of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged perspective view of a “T” and (leg and 180° horizontal) three way connector for the structure and the kit of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of offset roof supports for the center rafter of  FIG. 4  for the structure and the kit. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another built up leg of the kit showing same having engaged thereto one straight connector and one corner connector of the kit, used at front corners of the nativity stable structure of kit “A”, in preparation for combination with the structure of accessory Kit “B” therewith. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a built up mid back leg of the kit showing same having engaged thereto the “T”-connector of the kit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a combined second embodiment of the nativity stable structure and shows Kit “A” and accessory Kit “B” of the present invention, showing the nativity stable structure to include the lower level (partially built in  FIG. 4A  and completed in  FIG. 17 ) at the front of the nativity stable structure, but without the floor panels of Kit “B” being engaged yet. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a parts list for the Kit “A” of the first embodiment of the nativity stable structure shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a parts list for the accessory Kit “B” of the added front section to provide when combined with Kit “A” the second embodiment of the nativity stable structure shown in  FIGS. 9 and 17 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an accessory platform attached to rear center uprights and showing an angel statue perched thereon, above the level of the floor of the nativity stable structure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the same accessory platform shown in  FIG. 12  but now attached to the short front supports to provide an alternative position for the Christ child or baby “Jesus” statue. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a side panel, rear panel and roof panel of the “A” kit and/or accessory “B” kit, all rolled together for storage, to prevent creasing thereof. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  shows the “B” accessory kit platform with floor panels thereof engaged thereto and shows a platform  70  engaged just above the accessory platform and having a floor panel thereof engaged there over. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16A  shows the floor panels of the “A” kit. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16B  shows the floor panels of the “B” kit and the floor panel of the accessory platform. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16C  shows a side view of a floor panel, showing an end track thereof which fits over horizontal bars or elements of the frameworks. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  shows the combined nativity stable built with kits “A” and “B” and two accessory platforms, one for an angel and the other for the baby Jesus. 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  shows a similar stable but wherein the stable is increased in depth (distance front to back). 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  a first embodiment of the nativity stable structure  10  built from an “A” kit  11  ( FIG. 2A ) for same, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The kit comes in a shipping container which will later function as a storage container or carton and is show in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . the contents and components of the kit are laid out in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , the “A” kit  11  for creating the nativity stable structure  10  comprises a plurality of front center telescopic support legs  12  (for example see  FIG. 3 ) having circular bottom pads  14  on ground terminal ends thereof. The legs  12  are telescopic (in two parts) to accommodate placement of the structure  10  on an uneven surface, such as the ground, while allowing the structure to be assembled level, which legs  12  through the use of various embodiments of fittings, fitments or connectors to be described individually hereinafter, are engaged to horizontal elements or tubes  22  which extend horizontally between the inner legs  12  and horizontal elements or tubes  23  extending laterally of the inner legs  12  to outer legs  29  to create the front end of a support framework  24 . The framework  24  will engage and hold a floor  26  of the nativity stable structure  10  positioned level above-ground. The floor  26  is comprised of a plurality of panels  26 , preferably made of steel, and extending front to back across the framework  24 . Corner and back legs  29  are adjustable in length from the floor to the ground. Corner uprights or tubes  18  are of a fixed height from the floor to the roof and are engaged to extend vertically from corner legs  29  to form the frame adjacent stable side walls  20  and a stable rear wall  21  of the nativity stable structure  10  and include taller center back vertical uprights or tubes  31 . The desired height of the telescoping legs  12  is maintained through use of a frictional set screws  15 , preferably one on each leg. Of course, other type adjustments or fasteners would be used. 
         [0036]    The vertically extending corner uprights or tubes  18  engage at their top ends  30  to a framework  32  for a covered roof of the kit  11 , to be described in further detail hereinafter. Extending front to back between front and back offset roof supports  33  ( FIGS. 1B and 6 ) of the roof framework  32  are a plurality of thinner, in this instance solid, rods  34  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 A,  4 A and  4 B) which engage front to back between supports  33  thereof ( FIGS. 1B and 4A ) to assist in supporting a roof panel or cover  36  of the kit  11 . Also included are at least one side panel  38  and a rear panel  40  which engage to the vertical uprights and between the horizontal bottom and horizontal top tubes  23 , which panels  38  and  40  are preferably printed or painted or otherwise decorated, as shown, or in a similar manner, to visualize the interior of a manger or nativity stable. The panels could also be decorated to illustrate the exterior of the stable. The roof panel or cover  36  may also be printed, decorated or painted to illustrate or give the illusion of hay or straw as shown, or other roofing if desired, further aiding in visualization of a manger or nativity stable structure  10  created from the kit  11 . A floor covering could also be provided and decorated to simulate hay or straw. 
         [0037]    It will be seen in  FIG. 6  that the offset roof supports  33  each include an elongate body portion and include at each end thereof a unitary “T”-connector, or corner connectors, with each terminal end of each support  33  being bent in a direction opposite the opposed end, at a particular angle of about 20 to 25 degrees, with about 22 degrees being preferred, to create a raised center section  42  to the roof framework  32 . 
         [0038]    As shown, a plurality of statues or figures  50  commonly found in a nativity scene are supported on the floor  26 , at a position above ground level, and, with the roof cover  36 , side panel  38  and rear panel  40  in position, are substantially protected from the elements, such as rain, sleet, snow and sunlight, which are harmful to the color, integrity and longevity of the useful life of the figures  50 . 
         [0039]    The framework of the nativity stable structure, whether for Kit “A” or Kit “B” is created of hollow, square (preferred) or rectangular in cross section tubing, with a plurality of parts, as listed in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Parts for the first embodiment of the nativity stable structure  10  and “A” kit  11  for same, is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 2A . Plurality of parts as listed in  FIG. 11 , for the additional accessory “B” kit  99  to form the second embodiment of the nativity stable structure with Kits “A” and “B” combined, is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , to create the frameworks  24 ,  32  for the second combined embodiment of the nativity stable structures shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0040]    Turning back to the first embodiment  10  made from “A” kit  11 , once the framework  24  is created, the side panel  38  and rear panel  40  are suitably engaged in proper positions and the roof panel or cover  36  is positioned over the framework  24 ,  32 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , to finalize the nativity stable structure  10  within which the nativity figures  50  are placed and protected from detrimental environmental conditions. 
         [0041]    Turning now to a more detailed examination of the roof framework  32 , it will be seen to comprise a pair of front offset roof supports  33  and a pair of cooperating and identical rear offset roof supports  33  as described above and wherein the pair of front roof supports  33  and the pair of rear roof supports  33  have the two separate roof supports  33  thereof joined together in the center by a short section of tubing  53  extending horizontally there between and by cross tubes  23  extending front to back between the center portions to maintain structural integrity of the roof framework  32 . It will be seen that two center rear vertical support rods  31  of the kit  11  are of a greater length dimension than the corner vertical support rods  18 . The center vertical support rods  31  are longer in length to allow for engagement thereto of one end of each of the two rear offset roof supports  33  which are of a particular configuration, each with ends thereof bent at a specific angle, described earlier, away from each other along the length of a support  33 , and being identical to one another. The front offset roof supports  33  are then engaged to the rear offset roof supports  33  by cross members  23  which extending forwardly from the joined center rear vertical support rods  33  to engage the front offset roof support rods  33  at one end thereof, with the other end thereof engaging a top end of a corner vertical support rod  18  of the framework  24 . Such engagements are created by providing each end of each offset roof support rod with a horizontal “T”-connector thereon which is used to engage the required structures for support of the roof framework  32  as defined above. 
         [0042]    Once the framework for the floor  26  has been set up, prior to build up of the entire structure, the framework  24  is leveled by adjusting the length of the plurality legs  12  and  29  until a level (not shown) shows the framework  24  to be level over the supporting surface, in most cases, the ground. Then the panels  26  (shown in  FIG. 16A ) forming the floor  26  are engaged to and over the horizontal rods  22 ,  23  extending between all the legs  12 ,  29  horizontally, as shown. 
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, seven panels  26  are used to create the sheet metal floor  26 , extending front to back across the extent of the framework  24 , and such panels  26  are engaged over and to the bottom horizontal framework pieces  22 ,  23  to maintain the same steady. In a preferred embodiment, each panel  26  includes a cutout  28  in each end edge of a perpendicular peripheral flap  31  shown in  FIG. 16C . A center panel  26  of the floor  26  is sized and configured to fit between horizontal front to back support rods  23  of the framework  24 , each engaging a center leg  12  to a corresponding rear center leg  29 . 
         [0044]    Once the floor  26  is leveled and the remainder of the framework  24 ,  32  is created as described above, the decorated side panel  38  and the rear panel  40  are engaged to the framework  24  by suitable means, such as releasable electrical ties  41  shown in  FIG. 1A . When not in use, the panels  36 ,  38  and  40  are rolled together for storage, to prevent creasing of same, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0045]    Next, the plurality of thin, solid cross rods  34  are engaged across the roof framework  32 , front to back, to create more support for the roof cover or panel  36 . Such additional support is useful in helping to carry any snow load which may occur. These thin rods  34  include a downward, perpendicular flap  57  at one end thereof and a “c” shaped flap  59  at the other end thereof, with the “c” shaped flap  59  engaging over and around one of the offset roof support rods  33  and the other end engaging over the opposite offset roof support rod  33 . Alternatively, both ends of thin rods  34  could include a perpendicular flap  57 . 
         [0046]    Once these support rods  34  are placed, the roof cover or panel  36  is then positioned over the roof framework  32  and the floor panels  26  are positioned within the framework  24 , creating the nativity stable structure  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . If extra securement of the structure  10  to the supporting substrate is desired, ground engaging securement hooks  60  are provided to engage the framework  24  to the substrate or ground. 
         [0047]    Turning now to a second embodiment see  FIGS. 4A ,  9  and  17  of the combined nativity stable structure  10 , a second front portion is built from “B” kit  99  (see  FIGS. 4B and 11 ) which can be added to the first embodiment built with “A” kit  11 . Also provided in “B” kit  99  is an accessory platform  70  which supports an accessory panel  125  thereon, the panel including depending side flanges  127  thereon which secure it over the platform  70 , and with the platform  70  having a forward end raised flange  129  which maintains the panel  125  from sliding forwardly, off the platform  70 . 
         [0048]    If desired, the accessory platform  70  (see  FIGS. 13 ,  15 ,  16 C and  17 ) of “B” kit  99 , which is shorter in length than the floor panels  26 ′, may be supported off the rear center vertical rods  31  at a rear end thereof, by a one way connector  120  to be defined hereinafter, and may be used to support on the top panel  25  (see  FIG. 16B  also) thereof, in an elevated position relative to the floor  26 , an angel statue  52 , as an example, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The height of the accessory platform  70  above that of the floor  26  may be created, as desired, by engaging a one way connector  120  unitary on each free end  131  of the “U” shaped platform  70  to each rear center vertical rod  31 , frictionally, with a set screw  15 . 
         [0049]    Construction of the combined second embodiment (shown completed in  FIG. 17 ), comprised of “A” kit  11  in combination with “B” accessory kit  99 , requires partial deconstruction of the first embodiment of “A” kit  11 , if previously built. 
         [0050]    In this respect, it will be seen in a study of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , that a forward, lower level framework structure  100  is provided in “B” kit  99  for the second embodiment of the nativity stable structure  10 . Here it will be seen that the roof framework  32  has a forward to rear span double that of the first embodiment roof framework  32  and includes a center pair of offset roof supports  35 ′ having unitary three way horizontal connectors  150  on each end thereof which supports  35 ′ are otherwise identical and are interposed between the front and back framework offset roof supports  33 , as were utilized in creating the framework  32  of first embodiment. 
         [0051]    This doubled span allows for the second embodiment roof framework  32  to cover the lower level framework structure  100  extending forwardly of the front of the nativity stable structure  10  of the first embodiment In order to reconstruct the nativity stable  10  into its second embodiment, the offset roof support  33  on the front of the “A” kit  11  structure  10  must be removed and replaced by the center pair of offset roof supports  35 ′ of “B” kit  99 . 
         [0052]    Next it will be seen that one of another shorter pair of roof forming offset rods  35 ′ having identically bent ends to those of rods  35 , is engaged to and extends forwardly of each of the two center feet  12  of the nativity stable structure  10 , at a height below that of the floor  26  of the nativity stable structure  10  and engages a forward leg  29 , in a manner where the legs  29  extend apart, creating a space there between. 
         [0053]    To accomplish this addition, the front center front legs  12  must be detached from the framework and have a one way horizontal connector  120  engaged thereto, facing forward, to each of which one corresponding end of one framework section  35 ′ must be engaged, in a manner to extend forwardly thereof when the legs  12  are reconstructed. Next the two front corner legs  29  must be disengaged for identical engagement thereto of a forward facing one way connector  120  to each, with each corner leg  29  now also being engaged to one end of a forward directed tube or rod  102 , when reconstructed. Each rod  102  extends forwardly to a corner forming leg  29  engaging an upright  18  to which will be engaged one end of the front offset roof support previously removed from its engagement over the front edge of the first embodiment built from “A” kit  11 . Previous front corner leg  29  and framework  24 , of the first embodiment built from “A” kit  11  now become centered, front to back, within the second embodiment of the nativity stable structure  10 . Next, another horizontal rod  23  is extended from the newly built forward corner  29  to the one way connector  120  of now center framework corner leg  29 , also at a level below the floor  26  of the nativity stable structure  10 . The opposite side is created in a mirror image manner to that just described, and creates a lower level  100  for displaying, if desired, a crèche  110 , at a more visible level, closer to the ground or other supporting surface. It will be understood that each of the legs  29  of the lower level  100  may also have a pad  14  on the end thereof to spread the weight of the structure  10  over a larger surface area. 
         [0054]    Finally, after all framework structures of the combined “A” kit  11  and accessory “B” kit  99  are engaged as defined above, cross rods  34  are again engaged front to back, between the offset support rods  33 ,  35  and floor panels  28  are positioned. Larger angled floor panels  26 ′ should be positioned to either side of the center of the forward portion built from “B” kit  99 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16B . Further, it will be seen that the platform  70  can also be engaged to extend forwardly of the center front legs  12 , using one way connectors  120 , to provide a centered lower level platform between the rods  35 ′, just above their point of attachment, to provide a lower level platform  70  (see  FIG. 15 ) to set upon a figure, such as the Christ child  50 . 
         [0055]    It will be understood that a plurality of various embodiments of connectors are utilized to create the nativity stable structures  10  of the second embodiment formed from combined “A” and “B” kits,  11  and  99 , respectively. In this respect, referring to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of connector can be considered a one way or direction horizontal connector  120  (see  FIG. 7 ), for use in, for example, connecting the forward offset bars  35 ′ of the second embodiment built from “B” kit  99  to extend forwardly from the center legs  12  and corner legs  29  of the floor  26  at all positions “X” (in  FIG. 1A ). There above, engaged to the corner leg  29  of  FIG. 7 , is a two way or direction horizontal or corner connector  130  (also see  FIGS. 5A and 7 ), used for engaging the leg  29  to perpendicular horizontal bars  23  used in, for example, creating a corner of the nativity stable structure  10  at all positions “Y” (in  FIG. 1A ), as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0056]    A further connector, which may be defined as a three way horizontal or “T”-connector  140  (see  FIGS. 5B and 8 ), is found useful for, as an example, engaging center legs  12  of the nativity stable structure  10 , to horizontal bars  23  extending horizontally there from in two perpendicular directions, as well as connecting to a horizontal bar  22 , along the front edge of the nativity stable, extending to the other center leg  12 , at all positions “Z” (in  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0057]    It will be understood that each of the connectors include a vertical hollow connector portion  150  which releasably and telescopically engages over a leg or rod, except those at the ends of the offset roof supports  33 , and is positionable along the legs  12 ,  29  through use of frictional engaging set screw or bolt  15  which holds the desired connector to the leg  12 ,  29  or rod  22 ,  23 , at a desired position there along by friction when turned against the material of the leg. Of course, other suitable type connectors for producing adjustable or frictional engagement between the telescoping parts could be used. 
         [0058]    It will be further understood that the nativity stable structure  10  of each embodiment includes a suitably sized rear panel  40  and suitably sized side panel  38  and roof panel or cover  36  as well as the mechanically engageable structures of  FIG. 2A , which shows the structures of the first embodiment built from “A” kit  11 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , each of the kits  11  and  99  for both embodiments of the nativity stable structure  10  comes in two boxes  200  and  210  which are suitable for shipping and subsequent use in storing the nativity stable structure(s)  10  when not displayed. In a preferred embodiment, all the heavier framework pieces are packed in box  200 , and the lighter and smaller pieces are packed in box  210 , with each of the boxes being compartmentalized for protection and ease of storage. 
         [0060]      FIG. 18  shows an alternative nativity booth  300  of a double depth. It should be understood that the other versions of nativity stables could also be doubled in depth. 
         [0061]    If needed, ground hooks can be engaged to the leg and ground to hold the stable in place. Also, interior lighting  202  and/or exterior lighting  204  of low voltage, say 12 or 24 volts or less, can be provided as schematically shown in  FIG. 1B  mounted to the frame anchor ground. 
         [0062]    As described above, the methods and apparatus of the present invention provide a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent and/or apparent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the methods and apparatus without departing from the invention disclosed herein. While the preferred method and apparatus of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that alternative or equivalent steps and elements fall within the scope of the appended claims.