Patent Publication Number: US-2006016468-A1

Title: Multipurpose collapsible panels

Description:
RELATED CASES  
      This is a division of co-pending Ser. No. 10/933,965, filed Sep. 3, 2004, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/044,142, filed Jan. 11, 2002, which is a division of Ser. No. 09/792,992, filed Feb. 26, 2001, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/294,268, entitled “Multipurpose Collapsible Panels”, filed Apr. 19, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,635, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 09/207,183, entitled “Vertical Stacked Collapsible Structures”, filed Dec. 9, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,386, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible panels which may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, and for use in a variety of applications. The collapsible panels may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the panels to facilitate convenient storage and use.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Collapsible structures have recently become popular with both adults and children alike. Examples of such structures are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,038,812 (Norman), 5,467,794 (Zheng) and 5,560,385 (Zheng). These structures have a plurality of panels that may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structures to facilitate convenient storage and use. As such, these structures are being enjoyed by many people in many different applications.  
      For example, these structures have been provided in many different shapes and sizes for children&#39;s play indoors and outdoors. Smaller versions of these structures have been used as infant nurseries. Even smaller versions of these structures have been used as dollhouses and action figure play houses by toddlers and children.  
      As another example, these structures have been made into tents or outdoor structures that can be used by adults and children for, hunting, camping or other outdoor purposes. These structures have also been popular as beach cabanas.  
      Even animals can enjoy these structures. Some of these structures have been made into shelters that can be used by pets, both inside and outside the house.  
      The wide-ranging uses for these collapsible structures can be attributed to the performace, convenience and variety that these structures provide. When fully expanded, these structures are stable and can be used as a true shelter without the fear of collapse. These structures are easily twisted and folded into a compact configuration to allow the user to conveniently store the structure. The light-weight nature of the materials used to make these structures makes it convenient for them to be moved from one location to another. These structures also provide much variety in use and enjoyment. For example, a child can use a structure both indoors and outdoors for different play purposes, and can use the same structure for camping.  
      However, many of these collapsible structures are typically provided in a pre-formed configuration which cannot be disassembled without destroying the structure. As a result, the variety of use and play for these structures can be limited.  
      Thus, there still remains a need for collapsible structures that provide increased variety of play, entertainment value, and utility.  
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structures according to the present invention have, in their most basic embodiment, a single panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering selected portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of the frame member.  
      In one embodiment, the single panel further includes an amusement feature provided thereon. In another embodiment, the single panel can be used as a cover for an object, a pool, pond, box, case or shelter. In yet a further embodiment, the panel can be used as a base, and has an opening provided in the fabric through which an object can be inserted. The single panels of the present invention can even be combined to form structures having different configurations and utility.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 1A  is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of  FIG. 1  illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve;  
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views of a collapsible structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 3, 4 ,  5 A and  5 B are perspective views illustrating how the structure of  FIG. 2  can be configured with other panels to form collapsible structures having different configurations;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 7-13  are perspective views of collapsible structures according to further embodiments of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 14A through 14E  illustrate how the collapsible structure of  FIG. 1  may be twisted and folded for compact storage. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
      The collapsible structures according to the present invention are configured in the form of one or more panels. These structures can be folded and collapsed into a compact configuration for convenient storage and transportation.  
       FIGS. 1 and 1 A illustrate a possible basic embodiment for a collapsible structure according to the present invention which takes the form of a single panel  20 . As explained in greater detail hereinbelow, the collapsible structures according to the present invention can each be comprised of one or more of these panels  20  assembled to create a resulting structure having the desired shape and size.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structure  20  is a single panel that has four sides, a left side  22 , a bottom side  24 , a right side  26  and a top side  28 . A continuous frame retaining sleeve  30  is provided along and traverses the edges of its four sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , a continuous frame member  32  is retained or held within the frame retaining sleeve  30  to support the panel  20 .  
      The continuous frame member  32  may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The continuous frame member  32  is preferably formed of flexible coilable steel having a memory, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame member  32  should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, the frame member  32  is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a folded position in which the frame member  32  is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (see  FIG. 14E ).  
      Fabric or sheet material  34  extends across the panel  20 , and is held taut by the frame member  32  when in its open position. Fabric  34  can extend completely across the panel  20  to entirely cover the enclosed space defined by the frame member  32 , or can extend across selected portions of the enclosed space defined by the frame member  32 . The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand wear and tear. The type of material used for the fabric  34  can be varied depending on the intended use. As one non-limiting example, a tough film-like material can be used if the panel  20  is intended for use as a backboard, such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As another non-limiting example, a cloth-like material can be used if the panel  20  is intended primarily for indoor use.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1A , the fabric piece  34  is stitched at its edges by a stitching  35  to the sleeve  30 . The sleeve  30  may be formed by folding a piece of fabric, and then applying the stitching  35  to connect the sleeve  30  to the fabric  34 . Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve  30  may be formed by merely folding over the fabric  30  and applying the stitching  35 . The frame member  32  may be merely retained within the frame retaining sleeve  30  without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve  30  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame member  32  to retain it in position.  
      Amusement features can be provided on the panel  20  of  FIG. 1 . For example, a netting  38  may be suspended to one or both sides of the fabric  34 , at any location thereon. These amusement features can include indicia  40  such as a message, logo, or design that can be imprinted or otherwise provided on one or both sides of the fabric  34 , again at any location thereon. Other amusement features, as illustrated in the other embodiments herein, can also be incorporated and provided on the panel  20 .  
      The panel  20  also includes one or more detachable connectors or removable attachment mechanisms  42  (referred to herein as “attachment mechanisms”), such as Velcro pads, hooks, ties, straps, double-sided tape, suction cups, or similar mechanisms, that are provided along one or more of the sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The attachment mechanisms  42  can be used to attach or couple the panel  20  to other supporting structures or objects, as illustrated below. The number of attachment mechanisms  42  provided, and the locations of these attachment mechanisms  42  along the sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , can be varied depending on the application (i.e., use) of the panel  20 , and the supporting objects or structures (and the locations of these supporting objects or structures) that are to be used to support the panel  20 . For example, the panel  20  in  FIG. 1  can be used as an amusement or play structure providing a backboard for a netting  38  through which a ball can be tossed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the panel  20  can be supported at a corner between two adjacent walls  44  and  46 , with the bottom side  24  resting on the floor  48 . The attachment mechanisms  42  can be used to removably attach the panel  20  to the walls  44 ,  46  and the floor  48 .  
      Each basic panel  20  can be used as a building block and combined with other basic panels to provide structures having different shapes and sizes, as illustrated below.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a panel  20   a  that includes modifications to the panel  20 . The elements of the panel  20   a  that are the same as the elements of the panel  20  are provided with the same numeral designations except that an “a” has been added to the numeral designations in  FIG. 2 . The panel  20   a  differs from panel  20  in that two additional amusement features have been added. First, an opening  50  is provided at about the center of the panel  20   a . A flap or covering  52  is attached to a top edge  54  of the opening  50 . For example, the flap  52  can be formed by merely cutting the other three sides  56 ,  58 ,  60  of the opening  50  from the fabric  34   a , or the flap  52  can be a separate piece that is stitched to the top edge  54  after the opening  50  has been created. Thus, a user can toss a ball or object  62  through the opening  50  and flap  52 .  
      Second, another opening  64  may be provided adjacent the bottom side  24   a , and netting  66  stitched or otherwise connected to the rear side of the panel  24   a  to form a soccer goal for receiving a ball  68 . In addition, the attachment mechanisms  42   a  can be embodied in the form of long straps or ties that can be tied or secured to, for example, the surrounding frame  70  of a door  72 . Thus, the panel  24   a  can be set up in the opening of a doorway for play. Different balls can be tossed or kicked at either the netting  38   a , the opening  50  or the goal  64 .  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the same panel  20   a  used outdoors and being supported from a branch  76  of a tree  74  via the attachment mechanisms  42   a , which in this example can be straps. Thus, the panel  20   a  presents an amusement structure that can be used indoors and outdoors.  
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate how the panel  20   a  can be supported by other panels that act as the supporting structure for the panel  20   a . In  FIG. 3 , another panel  80  is provided, with panel  80  having the same structure as panel  20  except that certain amusement features can be omitted. Panel  80  can be positioned at an angle with respect to the ground and panel  20   a , and a top side  82  of the panel  80  can be removably secured to the panel  20   a  to act as a back-support to keep the panel  20   a  at a generally vertical orientation. The panel  80  can be provided with one or more attachment mechanisms  84  that can be attached to the sides (e.g.,  22   a ,  26   a ), or the attachment mechanisms  42   a , of the panel  20   a . The bottom side  86  of the panel  80  rests on the ground, at an angle, to support the entire structure (which is comprised of panels  20   a  and  80 ).  
      The structure shown in  FIG. 3  can be disassembled by detaching all the attachment mechanisms  42   a ,  84  to separate the two panels  20   a ,  80 . The two panels  20   a ,  80  can then be placed one on top of the other to create a stack of two panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below.  
      In  FIG. 4 , two other panels  90  and  92  are provided, with panels  90 ,  92  having the same structure as panel  20  except that certain amusement features can be omitted. Panel  90  can be positioned flat on the ground or surface, with a first side  94  removably secured to the bottom side  24   a  of the panel  20   a . Panel  92  can be positioned at an angle with respect to the ground and panel  20   a , and a top side  96  of the panel  92  can be removably secured at an angle to the top side  28   a  of the panel  20   a  to act as a back-support to keep the panel  20   a  at a generally vertical orientation. The bottom side  98  of panel  92  is removably secured at an angle to a second side  100  of panel  90 . The panels  90  and  92  can be provided with one or more attachment mechanisms  102  and  104 , respectively, that can either be removably attached to the sides of the other panels, or to the other attachment mechanisms  42   a ,  102 ,  104  to obtain the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, the completed structure in  FIG. 4  is comprised of three panels  20   a ,  90 ,  92 .  
      The structure shown in  FIG. 4  can be disassembled by detaching all the attachment mechanisms  42   a ,  102 ,  104  to separate the three panels  20   a ,  90 ,  92 . The three panels  20   a ,  90 ,  92  can then be placed one on top of the other to create a stack of three panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below. Alternatively, the attachment mechanisms  42   a ,  104  can first be detached, the panel  92  folded on top of panel  90  about the hinge created by the connection between the bottom side  98  and the second side  100 , and the panel  20   a  folded on top of panel  92  about the hinge created by the connection between the bottom side  24   a  and the first side  94 , to create a stack of three panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below.  
      In  FIG. 5A , the configuration of the panels  20   a ,  90  and  92  is modified to provide a different manner of supporting panel  20   a  in a vertical upright orientation. Here, the couplings of the panels  20   a ,  90 ,  92  are the same as in  FIG. 4 , except that panel  90  no longer serves as a floor or base support. Instead, support panel  90  is now positioned vertically. In particular, the first side  94  of panel  90  is no longer coupled to the bottom side  24   a  of panel  20   a , and panel  90  is pivoted about its hinged connection with panel  92  (at sides  98  and  100 ) so that panel  90  stands either vertically upright or at an angle. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the panel  90  can stand at an angle with respect to the floor or ground so that its side  94  is rested against a wall  106 . In this position (i.e., with panels  90  and  92  angled), the panel  20   a  can be supported in a generally vertical position without the assistance of any other supports. As an alternative, a string or strap  108  can be used to couple one side (e.g.,  26   a ) of the panel  20   a  to any side of the panel  90 . When the string or strap  108  couples both panels  20   a  and  90  (see  FIG. 5B ), both panels  20   a  and  90  can be positioned vertically (with panel  92  angled between panels  20   a  and  90 ) with the entire structure essentially self-supporting (i.e., no other supporting walls or panels are needed for the structure to stay in its erected position). In any case, the configuration shown in  FIG. 5A  provides panel  92  between panels  20   a  and  90 , which provides better support for panel  20   a  if the size of panel  20   a  is larger.  
      The configuration shown in  FIG. 5A  can be disassembled by detaching all the attachment mechanisms  42   a ,  102 ,  104  to separate the three panels  20   a ,  90 ,  92 , as described above for  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the panel  90  can be folded on top of panel  92  about the hinge created by the connection between the bottom side  98  and the second side  100  (see arrow A 1 ), and the panel  20   a  folded against panel  92  about the hinge created by the connection between the top sides  28   a  and  96 , to create a stack of three panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below.  
      Thus,  FIGS. 4, 5A  and  5 B illustrate different ways in which a collection of panels can be used to provide support to a single panel  20   a . As an illustration of the flexibility of the single panels of the present invention, the panels  90  and  92  can also be provided with amusement features.  
      Single panels having different amusement features can also be combined to create a structure having multiple amusement features. A simple and non-limiting example is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , where two single panels  110  and  112  are provided. Each panel  110 ,  112  can have the same construction as panel  20 . Panel  110  has a netting  114 , while panel  112  has a goal  116 . Panels  110  and  112  have attachment mechanisms  118  and  120 , respectively, that can be coupled to create a structure out of the two panels  110 ,  112 . For example, the bottom side  122  of panel  110  can be coupled to the top side  124  of panel  112  to configure panel  110  above panel  112 . However, many other configurations can be provided. For example, the panels  110 ,  112  can be positioned side-by-side.  
      The structure shown in  FIG. 6  can be disassembled by detaching all the attachment mechanisms  118 ,  120  to separate the two panels  110 ,  112 . The two panels  110 ,  112  can then be placed one on top of the other to create a stack of two panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below. Alternatively, the panels  110 ,  112  can be folded on top of each other about the hinge created by the connection between the bottom side  124  and the top side  122 , to create a stack of two panels that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below.  
      While  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate panels that support amusement features, the single panels according to the present invention can also be used for other applications. For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates a single panel  126  that can have the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that panel  126  is used to display a decorative design or pattern  128 . Attachment mechanisms  130  can be provided for coupling to supporting structures. For example, panel  126  can be supported at a corner between two adjacent walls  44  and  46 , with the bottom side  132  rested on the floor  48 . The attachment mechanisms  130  can be used to removably attach the panel  126  to the walls  44 ,  46  and the floor  48 .  
      As another example,  FIG. 8  illustrates a single panel  140  that can have the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that panel  140  can be used to cover a pool or pond  142 . Attachment mechanisms  144  can be provided for coupling to the ground, or other supporting structures (e.g., posts, handle bars, etc.) on the ground or adjacent the pool or pond, so as to maintain the panel  140  in proper position over the pool or pond  142 . Use as a pool or pond cover enables the panel  140  to be useful and effective in preventing children, leaves and other objects from falling into the pool or pond, and in protecting fish in the pond from being eaten by cats or other predators.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates another possible use for the panel  140 . The elements of the panel  140   a  in  FIG. 9  that are the same as the elements of the panel  140  are provided with the same numeral designations except that an “a” has been added to the numeral designations in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 9 , flotation devices  146  can be provided in lieu of, or in addition to, the attachment mechanisms  144 . The flotation devices  146  can take the form of any conventional flotation device, such as inflated plastic tubes, foam tubes, or the like, and can be permanently or removably secured (e.g., using attachment mechanisms such as  144 ) to the sides of the panel  140   a . Thus, the flotation devices  146  allow the panel  140   a  to be used to cover a pool or pond  142   a  that does not lend itself to being conveniently secured by attachment mechanisms  144 . In addition, panel  140   a  can be embodied to include amusement features, which in  FIG. 9  are embodied in the form of golf flags  147  that form targets for balls  148  to be shot or tossed at.  
      As yet another example,  FIG. 10  illustrates a single panel  150  that can have the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that panel  150  can be used to cover a box or case  152 . Attachment mechanisms  153  can be provided along the sides of the panel  150  for coupling to the sides of the box  152 , so as to maintain the panel  150  in proper position over the box  152 . As an alternative, or in addition, to the attachment mechanisms  153 , handle bars  154  can also be attached to the panel  150  via a fabric piece  156  that is attached (e.g., by stitching) to the panel  150 . The handle bars  154  can have sufficient weight so that the panel  150  can act as a lid that can be placed over the top of the box  152 , with the combined weight of the handle bars  154  preventing the panel  150  from being moved away from the box  150 , so as to render it unnecessary to latch or otherwise secure the panel  150  to the box  152 . The handle bars  154  can be embodied in the form of metal rods, sand bags or any other weighted materials or pieces. The embodiment of  FIG. 10  enjoys great utility in that the box  152  can be any box, garden tool box, or even a small shelter such as a hut or shack, so that the panel  150  can effectively be used as a cover for a box or even as a temporary roof for a shelter.  
      For the embodiments in  FIGS. 7-10 , it is also possible that two or more other panels (that are like  126 ,  140 ,  140   a  and  150 ) can be coupled together (via the attachment mechanisms  130 ,  144 ,  154 ) to span and cover larger areas, such as walls (for  FIG. 7 ), larger pools and ponds (for  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), and larger boxes (for  FIG. 10 ).  
      As a further example,  FIG. 11  illustrates a single panel  160  that can have the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that the panel  160  can be generally circular. The panel  160  can be used as a base for a Christmas tree  162 . The panel  160  can have an opening  164  provided at its center. A sleeve  166  can be stitched to the circumference of the opening  164 , and a drawstring  168  fitted inside the sleeve  166 . When pulled, the drawstring  168  operates to decrease the size of the opening  166 . Thus, to use the panel  160 , the opening  164  can be stretched to its widest diameter by releasing the drawstring  168 . The tree  162  can then be inserted through the widened opening  166  and stood vertically on the ground. At this time, the panel  160  should be lying flat on the ground. The drawstring  168  can then be pulled to decrease the size of the opening  164 . Gift packages  170  can then be placed on top of the panel  160 . The fabric  172  on panel  160  can be provided with attractive decorative patterns and designs. Thus, the panel  160  provides an attractive base for a Christmas tree  162 , and on which gift packages  170  can be placed.  
       FIG. 12  illustrates a single panel  180  that can have the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that the attachment mechanisms  42  can be omitted, and fabric  182  is provided along its four sides to form a fabric wall that encloses an area under the panel  180 . The fabric  182  can be stitched, for example, to the sides of the panel  180 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the panel can be used to cover or drape over an object  184  to protect the object  184  from dust or other dirt and water. The object  184  can be a large and heavy object, such as a pallet that contains numerous boxes packed together.  
       FIG. 13  illustrates another combination of single panels that can be combined to form structures. Three separate panels  190 ,  192 ,  194  can be provided in the structure  196  of  FIG. 13 , with each panel  190 ,  192 ,  194  having the same construction as panel  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that an opening  198  can be provided in the fabric  200  of one or more panels  190 ,  192 ,  194 . The periphery of each opening  198  can be defined by an elastic band  202  housed in a sleeve. The three panels  190 ,  192 ,  194  can be positioned generally parallel to each other and coupled in the manner shown in  FIG. 13  to form any variety of different structures, including a tunnel, maze structure, or shelter defining different compartments or rooms. For example, a fabric wall  204  can be stitched to two, three or four of the four sides of both panels  190  and  192  to define a compartment  206  therebetween. Similarly, another fabric wall  208  can be stitched to two, three or four of the sides of both panels  192  and  194  to define another compartment therebetween. Thus, a user can enter the compartment  206  in the structure  196  via the opening  198  in panel  190 , and then pass through the opening  198  in panel  192  to enter the next compartment defined by the fabric wall  208 . The panel  194  can be provided with an opening  198  to allow ingress to or egress from the compartment defined by the fabric wall  208 , or the opening  198  in panel  194  can be omitted so that the only way to enter and exit the compartment defined by the fabric wall  208  would be to pass through the openings  198  in panels  190  and  192 .  
      As an alternative, the opening  198  in panel  192  can be omitted, and the panel  194  provided with an opening  198 , so that panel  192  defines a wall separating two compartments defined by the fabric walls  204 ,  208 . As a further alternative, connectors (such as strings or straps) can be used instead of the fabric walls  204  and  208  to couple the panels  190 ,  192 ,  194  together. Although  FIG. 13  illustrates the use of three panels  190 ,  192 ,  194 , the structure  196  can be formed from any number of panels to define any number of compartments. For example, the fabric  200  in panel  192  can be completely omitted, so that panel  192  effectively operates as a support frame for a single compartment defined by the end panels  190 ,  194  and the fabric walls  204 ,  208 .  
      The structure  196  shown in  FIG. 13  can be disassembled by pressing all three panels  190 ,  192 ,  194  together to create a stack of three panels (with the fabric walls  204 ,  208  collapsed between the panels) that can be twisted and folded together in the manner described in  FIGS. 14A-14E  below.  
       FIGS. 14A through 14E  describe the various steps for folding and collapsing the panel  20  of  FIG. 1  for storage. In  FIG. 14A , one opposing side or border of the panel  20  is folded in to collapse the frame member  32  with the panel  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 14B-14D , the panel is twisted and folded to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the panel is reduced.  FIG. 14E  shows the frame member  32  and panel collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layer of the panel  20  so that the collapsed panel has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial panel.  
      To re-open the panel  20  to its expanded configuration, the panel  20  is unfolded. The memory (i.e., spring-load) of the frame member  32  will cause the frame member  32  to uncoil on its own and to quickly expand the panel  20  to its expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . The same principles can be applied to collapse, and to re-open, all the other embodiments of the present invention described above.  
      Thus, the embodiments of the present invention increase the applications and use of a single panel to provide the user with an unlimited source and variety of fun and entertainment. The single panels can be combined to increase the variety of fun and use. The shapes and sizes of the single panels and the resulting structures can be varied or combined, as well as the entertainment features. These embodiments further illustrate the versatility of the single panels of the present invention, in that these single panels can be used to form the basis for numerous structures that offer an unlimited variety of entertainment and other purposes.  
      While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.