U.S. patent application number 10/865694 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for floating collapsible play structures.
Invention is credited to Zheng, Yu.
Application Number | 20040221885 10/865694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46301394 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040221885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng, Yu |
November 11, 2004 |
Floating collapsible play structures
Abstract
A collapsible structure has a foldable frame member having a
folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet material covering
interior portions of the frame member to form a panel when the
frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the panel having a top
side and a bottom side. The structure also includes a weight
coupled to the panel, and a floatation device coupled to the panel.
The floatation device can be coupled to the panel at a location
adjacent the top side of the panel, or between the top side and the
bottom side of the panel.
Inventors: |
Zheng, Yu; (Walnut,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond Sun
Law Offices of Raymond Sun
12420 Woodhall Way
Tustin
CA
92782
US
|
Family ID: |
46301394 |
Appl. No.: |
10/865694 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10865694 |
Jun 9, 2004 |
|
|
|
10044142 |
Jan 11, 2002 |
|
|
|
10044142 |
Jan 11, 2002 |
|
|
|
09792992 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
09792992 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
09294268 |
Apr 19, 1999 |
|
|
|
6192635 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/023 20130101;
A63B 63/083 20130101; A63B 63/004 20130101; A63B 9/00 20130101;
E04H 15/40 20130101; A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 2225/605 20130101;
A63H 33/008 20130101; A63B 2210/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/126 |
International
Class: |
E04H 015/40 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible structure comprising: a foldable frame member
having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet material
covering interior portions of the frame member to form a panel when
the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the panel having a
top side and a bottom side; a weight coupled to the panel; and a
floatation device coupled to the panel at a location between the
top side and the bottom side of the panel.
2. The structure of claim 1, further including an opening provided
in the sheet material.
3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the opening is large enough
for a person to pass therethrough.
4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the opening is small enough to
prevent a person from passing therethrough.
5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the floatation device
comprises two separate floatation devices, each flotation device
positioned on the sheet material on opposite sides of the opening
and being horizontally aligned with each other.
6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the panel is a first panel,
further including a second foldable frame member having a folded
and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet material covering
interior portions of the second frame member to form a second panel
when the second frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with
the second panel oriented at an angle with respect to the first
panel.
7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the first and second panels
are perpendicular to each other.
8. The structure of claim 6, wherein the first and second panels
cross each other at an overlapping line.
9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the panel has a frame
retaining sleeve for retaining the frame member.
10. The structure of claim 1, wherein the frame member is twisted
and folded to form a plurality of concentric loops when in the
folded orientation.
11. A collapsible structure comprising: a first foldable frame
member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet
material covering interior portions of the frame member to form a
first panel when the first frame member is in the unfolded
orientation; a second foldable frame member having a folded and an
unfolded orientation, with a sheet material covering interior
portions of the second frame member to form a second panel when the
second frame member is in the unfolded orientation; a weight
coupled to the first panel; and wherein the second panel is
oriented at an angle with respect to the first panel.
12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first and second panels
are perpendicular to each other.
13. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first and second panels
cross each other at an overlapping line.
14. A collapsible structure comprising: a first foldable frame
member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet
material covering interior portions of the frame member to form a
first panel when the first frame member is in the unfolded
orientation, the first panel having a top side and a bottom side; a
second foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded
orientation, with a sheet material covering interior portions of
the second frame member to form a second panel when the second
frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the second panel
having a top side that is coupled to the top side of the first
panel, and a bottom side that is coupled to the bottom side of the
second panel; a weight coupled to a location adjacent the bottom
side of the first panel; and a floatation device coupled to a
location adjacent the top side of the first panel.
15. The structure of claim 14, further including a tunnel defined
between the first and second panels.
16. A collapsible structure comprising: a foldable frame member
having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet material
covering interior portions of the frame member to form a lower
panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the
lower panel having a top side and a bottom side; a weight coupled
to the lower panel; an upper structure having a foldable frame
member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a sheet
material covering interior portions of the frame member of the
upper structure to form an upper structure panel when the frame
member of the upper structure is in the unfolded orientation; and a
floatation device coupled between the lower panel and the upper
structure panel such that the upper structure panel is maintained
above the surface of water when the lower panel is placed in a body
of water.
17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the upper structure includes
a plurality of upper structure panels, with each upper structure
panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an
unfolded orientation, with a sheet material covering interior
portions of the corresponding frame member of the upper structure;
and wherein the plurality of upper structure panels are connected
together to form a ring of upper structure panels.
18. The structure of claim 17, further including an opening
provided in the sheet material of the lower panel.
19. The structure of claim 17, further including an amusement item
attached to the upper structure panel.
Description
RELATED CASES
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No.
10/044,142, filed Jan. 11, 2002, which is a continuation of Ser.
No. 09/792,992, filed Feb. 26, 2001, now abandoned, which is a
continuation of Ser. No. 09/294,268, filed Apr. 19, 1999, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,192,635, whose disclosure is incorporated by this
reference as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and
in particular, to collapsible floating play structures having
portions that can be submerged under the surface of the water. The
collapsible structures incorporate one or more collapsible panels
that may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the
panels to facilitate convenient storage and use.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Collapsible objects have recently become popular with both
adults and children. Examples of such collapsible objects are shown
and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No.
5,467,794 (Zheng) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,385 (Zheng) in the form
of collapsible structures. These structures can be used as play
structures, shelters, tents, and storage structures, among other
uses. These structures 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.
[0006] Other examples of collapsible objects include blanket, mat
and floating assemblies as illustrated in one or more of U.S. Pat.
No. 6,073,283 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,300 (Zheng), U.S. Pat.
No. 6,170,100 (Le Gette et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,344 (Arias)
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,391 (Le Gette et al.). These assemblies can
be used as blankets, floor mats, and floating mats. These blankets
and mats may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of
the blanket or mat to facilitate convenient storage and use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide
collapsible structures that provide increased variety of play,
entertainment value, and utility.
[0008] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention,
the present invention provides a collapsible structure having a
foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation,
with a sheet material covering interior portions of the frame
member to form a panel when the frame member is in the unfolded
orientation, the panel having a top side and a bottom side. The
structure also includes a weight coupled to the panel, and a
floatation device coupled to the panel. The floatation device can
be coupled to the panel at a location adjacent the top side of the
panel, or between the top side and the bottom side of the panel.
Additional panels can be operationally coupled to the panel for
increasing the play variety and functions of the collapsible
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the
structure of FIG. 1 illustrating a frame member retained within a
sleeve.
[0011] FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate how the collapsible structure
of FIG. 1 may be twisted and folded for compact storage.
[0012] FIGS. 4-7 are perspective views of collapsible structures
according to separate embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, a structure is provided in the form of a single
panel 20 having a left side 22, a bottom side 24, a right side 26,
and a top side 28. The top side 28 can be straight, curved, or
angled (as shown in FIG. 1). A continuous frame retaining sleeve 30
is provided along and traverses the edges of the sides 22, 24, 26,
28. As shown in FIG. 2, a continuous frame member 32 is retained or
held within the frame retaining sleeve 30 to support the panel
20.
[0016] 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. 3D).
[0017] A sheet material 34 extends across the interior of the panel
20, and is held taut by the frame member 32 when in its open
position. The sheet material 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 sheet material 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.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the sheet material 34 is stitched at
its edges by a stitching 38 to the sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 may be
formed by folding a piece of fabric, and then applying the
stitching 38 to connect the sleeve 30 to the sheet material 34.
Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve 30 may be formed by
merely folding over the sheet material 34 and applying the
stitching 38. 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.
[0019] An opening 40 can be provided in the sheet material 34. The
opening 40 can be sized and configured to allow a person to swim
therethrough. The opening 40 can be defined by an internal sleeve
42 which has a frame member 44 retained therein. The frame member
44 can be identical in construction to the frame member 32.
Alternatively, the opening 40 can be defined merely by a border
46.
[0020] One or more weights 48 can be provided adjacent the bottom
side 24 by attaching the weights 48 to the sleeve 30 and/or the
sheet material 34. For example, the weights 48 can be retained
inside bags 52 that are stitched to the sleeve 30 and/or the sheet
material 34. The weights 48 can be embodied in the form of plastic,
metal, rocks or other similar weighted objects. The weights 48
function to pull the panel 20 downward inside the water.
[0021] One or more floatation devices 50 can be provided on the
sheet material 34 to counter the sinking forces of the weights 48
so as to cause the panel 20 to be oriented in a vertical manner
(i.e., perpendicular to the surface of the water W), as shown in
FIG. 1. The floatation devices 50 can be embodied in any desirable
structure, including but not limited to one or more foam pieces, or
one or more inflatable bags or inflatable tubes. The structure in
FIG. 1 has two separate floatation devices 50 that are attached to
the sheet material 34 between the sleeves 30 and 46 adjacent the
sides 22 and 26. In addition, the floatation devices 50 are
positioned between the top and bottom sides 28 and 24,
respectively, and aligned at the same vertical elevation, so that a
lower portion LP of the panel 20 can be below the surface of the
water, and an upper portion UP of the panel 20 can be above the
surface of the water.
[0022] Thus, the panel 20 can be used in a swimming pool. The user
can place the panel 20 in a swimming pool, and the weights 48 will
pull the bottom side 24 of the panel 20 towards the bottom of the
pool. The floatation devices 50 will suspend the rest of the panel
20 at the surface of the water, thereby causing the panel 20 to
orient itself in a vertical manner. Once deployed in the manner
shown in FIG. 1, a child or an adult can swim through the opening
40.
[0023] FIGS. 1 and 3A through 3D describe the various steps for
folding and collapsing the panel 20 of FIG. 1 for storage. In FIG.
1, two opposing sides (e.g., 24 and 28) of the panel 20 are folded
in opposite directions to collapse the frame member 32 with the
panel 20. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the panel is twisted and folded
to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the panel is
reduced. FIG. 3D shows the frame member 32 and panel 20 collapsed
on each other to provide for a small essentially compact
configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members so
that the collapsed panel 20 has a size which is a fraction of the
size of the initial panel 20.
[0024] 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.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a panel 20a that has the same
construction as the panel 20. The elements of the panel 20a 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. 4. There are two primary differences
between the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 4. First, the openings 40a
in FIG. 4 are smaller than the opening 40 in FIG. 1, and can also
be used as game targets through which balls or objects can be
thrown. Second, one or more floatation devices 50a are provided
along the top side 28a of the panel 20a, so that the entire panel
20a is intended to be submerged below the surface of the water. The
panel 20a can be collapsed using the same principles illustrated in
FIGS. 3A-3E.
[0026] The panel 20a can also be used in a swimming pool. The user
can place the panel 20a in a swimming pool, and the weights 48a
will pull the bottom side 24a of the panel 20a towards the bottom
of the pool. The floatation devices 50a will suspend the top side
28a of the panel 20a at the surface of the water, thereby causing
the panel 20a to orient itself in a vertical manner. Once deployed
in the manner shown in FIG. 4, a child or an adult who is swimming
in the pool can throw objects or balls through the openings 40a, or
even swim through the openings 40a (if the openings 40a are large
enough).
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates another structure 60 having a first panel
62 that can have the same construction as the panels 20, 20a, and
having one or more weights 64 provided along its bottom side 66. In
addition, a second panel 68 (which can have the same construction
as the panels 20, 20a) is provided in a manner such that it crosses
or overlaps the first panel 62 at overlapping points 70 and 72. The
overlapping or crossing of the two panels 62 and 68 can be the same
as that described in connection with U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,894
(Zheng), whose entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference
as though set forth fully herein. As a result of the crossing or
overlapping of the panels 62, 68, the sheet materials 74 and 76 of
the panels 62 and 68, respectively, cross each other as well.
Floatation devices 80 can be provided on one panel (e.g., 68) or
both panels 62, 68, or can be completely omitted.
[0028] The panels 62, 68 are oriented such that the panel 62 is
vertical with respect to the surface of the water, and the other
panel 68 can be pivoted with respect to the panel 62 about the line
78 defined by the overlapping points 70, 72. When placed in the
water, the weight 64 will pull the bottom side 66 of the panel 62
towards the bottom of the pool, while the floatation devices 80
will cause the panel 68 to float on the surface of the water in a
manner where the panel 68 is horizontal with respect to the surface
of the water. Even if no floatation devices are provided with the
structure 60, the panel 68 can align itself horizontally with
respect to the surface of the water, and if the correct weight is
selected, the panel 68 might itself act as a floatation device to
suspend the structure 60 with the panel 68 floating horizontal with
respect to the surface of the water. Once deployed in the manner
shown in FIG. 5, a child or an adult who is swimming in the pool
can throw objects or balls through the openings 82 in the panel 62,
or even swim through these openings 82. Openings 84 can also be
provided in the panel 68 for other play and amusement purposes.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates another structure 100 having two panels
102, 103 that can have the same construction as the panels 20, 20a.
Each panel 102 and 103 can be bent to a curved orientation, with
the top sides 105 and 107, respectively, attached to each other
(e.g., by stitching the frame retaining sleeve), and with the
bottom sides 106 and 104, respectively, attached to each other
(e.g., by stitching the frame retaining sleeve), to form a tunnel
114 therethrough. One or more floatation devices 110 can be
provided at the top of the structure 100 (i.e., at the connection
of the top sides 105, 107), and a weight 112 can be attached to the
bottom of the structure 100 (e.g., at the connection of the sides
104, 106).
[0030] The structure 100 can also be used in a swimming pool. The
user can place the structure 100 in a swimming pool, and the weight
108 will pull the bottom of the panels 102, 103 towards the bottom
of the pool. The floatation device 110 will suspend the rest of the
panels 102, 103 at the surface of the water W, thereby causing the
panels 102, 103 to orient themselves in a vertical manner. Once
deployed in the manner shown in FIG. 6, a child or an adult can
swim through the tunnel 114.
[0031] The structure 100 can be collapsed using the same principles
illustrated above in FIGS. 3A-3D after the panels 102, 103 are
pressed against each other to form a stack of two panels.
[0032] The principles of the present invention can also be applied
to structures that have more than one panel (e.g., see FIGS. 5 and
6). For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a structure 150 that builds
upon the principles illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, the
structure 150 can have a panel 20a that is identical or
substantially similar to the panel 20a in FIG. 4. In addition, a
collapsible enclosure 152 can be provided above the panel 20a and
its floatation device(s) 50a. The enclosure 152 can include a
plurality of (e.g., four) panels 154, 156, 158, 160 that are
hingedly connected to each other to form a ring of panels. Each of
these panels 154, 156, 158, 160 can have the same construction as
the panels 20, 20a, and the enclosure 152 can be the same as the
module shown in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,111 (Zheng), whose
entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though set
forth fully herein. In addition, one or more floatation devices 162
can be provided at the bottom side of each panel 154, 156 and 160.
The floatation device(s) 50a is attached to the bottom side of the
panel 158, and to the top side of the panel 20a.
[0033] When the structure 150 is placed in the water, the weight
48a will pull the bottom side 24a of the panel 20a towards the
bottom of the pool, while the floatation device(s) 50a will cause
the panel 20a to float on the surface of the water in a manner
where the panel 20a is vertical with respect to the surface of the
water. The floatation devices 50a and 162 will support the panels
154, 156, 158, 160 above the surface of the water so that the
enclosure 152 floats above water. Once the structure 150 has been
deployed in the manner shown in FIG. 7, a child or an adult who is
swimming in the pool can throw objects or balls through the
opening(s) 40a in the panel 20a, or even swim through the
opening(s) 40a, while other adults or children can be
simultaneously playing inside or around the enclosure 152. For
example, a basket hoop 164 can be attached to the external side of
one of the panels (e.g., 158) so that a ball can be tossed through
the hoop 164. Other amusement devices can be attached to the
interior or the exterior of the enclosure 152 to provide additional
fun and games.
[0034] The enclosure 152 can be collapsed using the same principles
illustrated above in FIGS. 3A-3D after the four panels 154, 156,
158, 160 have been placed one on top of each other to form a stack
of four panels (such as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of U.S. Pat. No.
6,390,111), and after the panel 20a has been folded on top of this
stack of four panels to form a stack of five panels. In addition,
the panel 50a can be hinged with respect to the panel 158 and used
as a floor if the structure 150 is used on land as a tent or play
structure.
[0035] Even though FIGS. 1 and 4-7 show structures having certain
numbers of panels, it is possible to change the number of panels
for each structure without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, a longer tunnel can be formed by attaching
a plurality of the structures of FIG. 6 in an aligned manner. As
another example, the panels in FIGS. 1 and 4 can be combined (e.g.,
removably coupled to each other along adjacent sides by VELCRO.TM.
pads, hooks or other similar mechanisms), and two or more vertical
panels similar to panel 62 in FIG. 5 can be provided to support the
horizontal panel 68. Also, the structure 150 can be modified so
that the enclosure 152 can have any number of panels, and any
number of underwater panels (such as 20a) can be provided under the
enclosure 152. For example, each panel of the enclosure 152 can be
connected to a separate underwater panel 20a. As yet another
example, the enclosure 152 does not need to enclose a space, and
can be comprised of one panel (e.g., 158) or two panels (e.g. 156
and 158) to define an upper structure.
[0036] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention increase the
applications and use single panels to provide the user with an
unlimited source and variety of fun and entertainment. The panels
can be combined to increase the variety of fun and use. The shapes
and sizes of the panels and the resulting structures can be varied
or combined, as well as the entertainment features. These
embodiments further illustrate the versatility of the panels of the
present invention, in that these panels can be used to form the
basis for numerous structures that offer an unlimited variety of
entertainment and other purposes.
[0037] 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.
* * * * *