U.S. patent application number 11/906190 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for structure assembly.
Invention is credited to Richard Wu.
Application Number | 20080172961 11/906190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37846775 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080172961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Richard |
July 24, 2008 |
Structure assembly
Abstract
The invention provides a structure that can be moved between
storage and erected in-use forms via the use of one or more
connecting members. The connecting member can be provided with at
least two angularly disposed arms, at least one of the arms
provided to receive an edge of a panel of the structure in the
erected form. The other arms may receive an edge of another panel
or may be formed integrally with a further panel. The structure can
be moved between forms without the need for tools.
Inventors: |
Wu; Richard; (Cornwall,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEAD, JOHNSON & KACHIGIAN
228 W 17TH PLACE
TULSA
OK
74119
US
|
Family ID: |
37846775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/906190 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/282.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/52 20130101; A63H
33/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/282.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2007 |
GB |
0701218.0 |
Claims
1. A structure, said structure formed of a plurality of panels,
said structure movable between a storage form in which at least
some of the panels are disconnected, and a second erected form for
use in which edges of adjacent panels can be connected together to
form the structure, wherein at least some of said adjacent edges of
the panels are interconnected using a connecting member, said
connecting member having a first arm with a channel formed therein
to receive an edge of a first panel therein and a second arm
including a channel to receive an edge of a second panel and retain
the same therein and thereby retain said first and second panels in
an in-use position.
2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein an angular orientation
of said first and second arms about a longitudinal axis of said
connecting member define an angular orientation of said panels when
located with said connecting member.
3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said first and second
channels are separated by a rib.
4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein said rib passes along a
length of said connecting member.
5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein said rib defines a
corner of said connecting member.
6. A structure according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of
connecting members are provided as part of said structure at spaced
locations.
7. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said connecting member
is provided in permanent attachment to one of said panels.
8. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said connecting member
is of a length which matches the length of at least one panel edge
to be connected thereby.
9. A structure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said
panels of said structure is provided with one or more fold lines to
allow said panel to be folded in a storage position.
10. A structure which can be moved between a storage and in-use
forms, said structure formed from a plurality of panels which can
be interconnected in an erected the in-use form and disconnected in
the storage form, and wherein at least one of the panels includes
along at least one edge thereof a connecting member, the connecting
member having an arm with a channel provided to receive an edge of
one or more further panels and retain the panels in position while
the structure is in the erected form.
11. A structure according to claim 10 wherein said connecting
member is provided as an integral formation of one of said
panels.
12. A structure according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said
panels formed of a sheet material to at least one side of which is
applied a coating and onto which a decorative pattern is
printed.
13. A structure according to claim 12 wherein said coating is a
plastic material applied to at least one planer surface of the
panel.
14. A structure according to claim 12 wherein the decorative
pattern is printed using a 4-color printing process.
15. A toy model structure, said structure comprising a top and one
or more side walls depending downwardly from the top to support the
top at a distance from a support surface, at least said side walls
formed by panels, said panels selectively movable between a storage
form at which at least some of the same are disconnected, and an
erected in-use form and wherein in the in-use form the panels are
retained in the required configuration by connecting members, said
connecting members including at least one arm having a channel for
the reception of an edge of a panel therein, to thereby retain said
panel in position and locate said panel in an angular orientation
with respect to the second panel with which the connecting member
is connected or formed.
16. A structure according to claim 15 wherein said connecting
member is formed as an integral part of a further panel.
17. A connecting member, said connecting member elongate in form
and having a first arm running along the length thereof with a
channel provided therein for the reception of an edge of a first
panel to retain the same in position therewith and said connecting
member formed as part of or connected to a second panel so as to
retain the respective panels in a required angular orientation.
18. A connecting member according to claim 17 wherein the channel
includes therein one or more protrusions to exert an increased
retention portion on one or more faces of the panel adjacent the
edge thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This United States Application claims priority to British
Patent Application No. 0701218.0 filed 23 Jan. 2007.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention to which this application relates is to an
improvement in structure assemblies, such as toys, pet housing,
storage means, and the like, which can be constructed from a "flat
pack" form to an in-use, erected form so as to allow the structure
to thereafter be used. Typically, the structure can thereafter be
moved between the two forms in a manner which can be performed by
adults or children in a relatively simple manner and, preferably,
without the need for any, or any special, tooling to be used.
[0006] Conventionally in structures of this type, the same are
typically initially purchased in one of two forms. In the first
form, the structure has already been assembled under factory
conditions and is therefore provided in a permanent in-use form.
This has the advantage that the structures are typically more
robust, but for many uses or environments robustness is not the
only concern and other concerns, such as the price of the structure
which tends to be high when preassembled, and/or subsequent storage
of the structure when not in use, are other features which have
equal or greater importance to a purchaser. With regard to these
features, preassembled structures often are not attractive to a
purchaser. An alternative to pre-assembled structures is to
purchase the same in pieces in a flat pack form and then to
assemble the structure into an erected position after purchase and
at the location of use. It is to this type of structure that the
present invention is directed.
[0007] It is known to provide flat pack structures for assembly at
a location for use. The assembly typically involves the use of a
series of screws or other fastening means which are required to be
inserted in pre-formed apertures in the panels of the structure in
accordance with a set of instructions that accompany the structure
when purchased. The use of these fastening means typically requires
the use of one or more tools which are often required to be
provided as part of the package when purchased. This can provide
additional expense to the manufacturer and/or customer and, in some
instances if the tool is lost, the item cannot thereafter be
constructed. Furthermore, if the structure is required to be
disassembled for storage purposes, the repeated use of the
fastening means can lead to the same becoming damaged and/or lost,
thereby preventing the reassembly of the structure.
[0008] A further problem which is often experienced with this type
of flat pack furniture is that the appearance of the structure,
when formed, is affected by the use of the conventional fastening
systems. It can be difficult in many cases for the fastening means
to be hidden from view in all instances. Furthermore, the panels of
sheet material which are used to form the items are often, at best,
provided with a continuously and/or repeated patterned surface
which, therefore, limits the type of decorative patterns which can
be applied to the structure panel. This can often restrict the
attractiveness and use of the structure for both purchase and in
subsequent use and, therefore, can limit sales of the same.
[0009] A first aim of the invention is to provide a structure that
can be moved between a storage and an in-use erected form
relatively easily, to allow the same to be performed without the
need for special tools to be used by the person assembling the
same, and to allow the structure, if required, to be repeatedly
moved between the storage and in-use forms as required.
[0010] A further aim is to provide a structure that is formed of
panels with at least one of the panels being provided in a form
which has greater visual attractiveness than is typically
conventionally achieved, thereby providing an improved visual
appearance of the structure, once formed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a
structure formed of a plurality of panels. The structure is movable
between a storage form in which at least some of the panels are
disconnected and a second, erected form for use in which edges of
adjacent panels can be connected together to form the structure,
wherein at least some of the adjacent edges of the panels are
connected using a connecting member. The connecting member has a
first arm with a channel formed therein to receive an edge of a
first panel therein and at least a second arm including a channel
to receive an edge of a second panel therein and thereby retain the
first and second panels in an in-use position.
[0012] Typically, the first and second arms have an angular
displacement which defines the angular orientation of the panels
when located with the connecting member.
[0013] Typically, the connecting member has a longitudinal axis,
and the longitudinal axis of the channels in the first and second
arms are parallel therewith. Typically, the first and second
channels are separated by a rib which passes along the length of
the connecting member, which rib defines a corner of the connecting
member.
[0014] Typically, a plurality of connecting members are provided as
part of the structure at spaced locations, each of the connecting
members connecting at least two panels together.
[0015] In one embodiment, the connecting member is provided in
permanent attachment to one of the panels, typically by the
provision of mechanical or adhesive means such that only one panel
edge needs to be placed into or removed from the connecting member
to assemble or disassemble the structure respectively.
[0016] In one embodiment, the connecting member has three or more
angularly oriented arms, each having a channel for reception of
panel edge therein or attached to or formed as part of a panel.
[0017] Typically, the connecting member is of a length that matches
the length of at least one of the panel edges to be connected
thereby and thereby provides a supported joint along the length of
the panels.
[0018] In one embodiment, the connecting member is formed from an
extruded plastics material.
[0019] In one embodiment, at least one of the panels of the
structure may be provided with one or more fold lines to allow the
panel itself to be folded in the storage position and unfolded, and
then connected to at least one further panel using the connecting
member in the in-use position.
[0020] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a
structure which can be moved between storage and erected in-use
forms. The structure is formed from a plurality of panels which can
be interconnected in an erected form and disconnected in the
storage form, and wherein at least one of the panels includes,
along at least one edge thereof, a connecting member. The
connecting member has an arm with a channel provided to receive an
edge of one or more further panels to retain the panels in position
while the structure is in the erected form.
[0021] In one embodiment, the connecting member is provided as an
integral formation of one of the panels, typically the panel being
formed of molded plastics material with a connecting member formed
as part thereof. Alternatively, the connecting member can be
attached mechanically or by adhesive to the panel and, hence, allow
the edge of a further panel to be selectively placed into the
channel in the arm of the connecting member.
[0022] In one embodiment, the structure which is formed is a toy
model of a type which can be used in a child's playhouse, for
example. In an alternative embodiment, the structure is used as pet
housing, such as a kennel. In a yet further embodiment, the
structure can be used as an item of furniture and/or to provide
storage facilities. In each case, it will be appreciated that the
structure can be moved between storage and erected in-use
conditions easily and efficiently without the need for special
tools or any tools to be used. It is also found that the location
of the edges of the respective panels in the connecting member and
the provision of the connecting member along the length thereof
provides sufficient rigidity so as to allow the structure, when in
the in-use condition, to be used safely and successfully.
[0023] In many uses it is important for the structure's intended
use, for example, where the structure is for use as a toy model,
that the visual appearance of the structure when in-use gives a
desired effect, otherwise the toy model would be unattractive to a
child.
[0024] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there
is provided a structure. The structure is formed from a plurality
of panels, at least one of the panels formed of a sheet material
and to at least one side of which is applied a coating and onto
which a decorative pattern is printed.
[0025] In one embodiment, the sheet material used for the panels is
medium density fiber board (MDF) or could be any other suitable
sheet material. The coating can be a plastics material applied to a
planer surface thereof to seal the same and allow the application
of printing inks to preferably be applied using a 4-color printing
process. This allows detailed decorative printing to be achieved
which, therefore, makes the overall appearance of that panel and
the structure as a whole to be more closely related to the item
depicted. For example, if the structure is a toy model, the item
which the same is intended to depict, such as a sink, washing
machine, cooker or the like, can be shown on the printed surface
which forms the external surfaces of the structure when in the
in-use form.
[0026] In one embodiment, a range of the structures can be used in
conjunction to form a particular toy model or toy environment, such
as, a kitchen, bedroom, or the like.
[0027] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a toy
model structure. The structure comprises a top, and one or more
side walls depending downwardly from the top to support the top at
a distance from a support surface, at least the side walls formed
by panels, the panels selectively movable between a storage form in
which at least some of the same are disconnected, and an erected
in-use form, and wherein in the in-use form the panels are retained
in the required configuration by connecting members. The connecting
members include at least one arm having a channel for the reception
of an edge of a panel therein to thereby retain the panel in
position and locate the panel in an angular orientation with
respect to a second panel with which the connecting member is
connected or formed.
[0028] In one embodiment, the connecting member is formed as an
integral part of the second panel or, alternatively, an edge of the
second panel can be selectively placed into a further arm provided
in the connecting member at the required angular orientation to the
first arm. In one embodiment a further panel can be permanently
maintained with the further arm.
[0029] Thus, the structure can be moved between the erected and
storage conditions without the need for tools to be used.
[0030] In one embodiment, at least one of the panels is formed from
a sheet material having at least one laminated surface to which an
ink pattern is applied using a 4-color printing process.
[0031] In one embodiment, at least one of the panels is formed from
a molded plastics material and, in this case, may include
connecting members formed as integral parts at the edges
thereof.
[0032] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a
connecting member. The connecting member being elongate in form and
having a first arm running along the length thereof, with a channel
provided therein for the reception of an edge of a first panel to
retain the same in position and the connecting member provided with
a second arm formed as part of or connectable to a further panel so
as to retain the respective panels in an angular orientation
defined by the orientation of the arms.
[0033] In one embodiment, the channel includes therein one or more
protrusions to exert an increased retention force on one or more
faces of the panel adjacent the edge thereof.
[0034] Typically, at least one of the panels can be selectively
detached from the connecting member without the need for tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a connecting member
in accordance with the invention.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a connecting
member in accordance with the invention.
[0038] FIGS. 3a and b illustrate a first embodiment of use of a
connecting member in accordance with the invention.
[0039] FIGS. 4a and b illustrate further embodiments of a structure
formed in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a connecting
member 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As
will be seen, the connecting member is elongate and, in this
embodiment, includes first and second arms, 4, 6 which are
angularly offset by an angle X, as illustrated. In this case, each
of the arms includes a channel, 8, 10 respectively, which runs
along the length of the same. The channel 8 of first arm 4 is shown
receiving an edge 12 of a first panel 14 which is partially shown,
and channel 10 of second arm 6 receives the edge 12 of a second
panel 16 which is partially shown. The channels can be provided
with retention means, which may be in the form of protrusions 20,
which improve retention on one or more faces of the panel at the
panel edge so as to improve retention of the panel within the
channel. It will, therefore, be seen that by retaining the
respective panel edges in the connecting member, the panels can be
held in position and in position at a required angular orientation,
angle X. The longitudinal axes of the respective channels run
parallel to the longitudinal axes 19 of a rib 17 member, the rib
separates channels 8, 10.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a connecting
member 2 in which the same is again provided with a first arm 22
with a channel 24 which operates to receive edge 12 of a first
panel 14 as shown. However, a second arm 15 is formed as an
integral part of second panel 16 which may be formed, for example,
of a plastics material.
[0042] In whichever embodiment, it is preferred that only one panel
needs to be inserted or attached to allow movement of the structure
between storage and erected positions, and in the second embodiment
of FIG. 2 this is achieved. In the first embodiment, where both
arms receive a panel, this can be achieved by providing one of the
panels to be permanently attached within a channel either by, for
example, a mechanical connection, or use of adhesive, or simply by
leaving one of the panel edges engaged in the channel of one of the
arms.
[0043] FIGS. 3a and b illustrate one embodiment of use of the
connecting members 2 in accordance with the invention, and it will
be seen how each of the connecting members 2 provides support along
the length of the edge of the respective panels 26/28, 28/30, 30/32
and 32/28 respectively. In this case, the structure which is formed
is a play structure in the form of a toy model, and it will be seen
that the connecting members form the four corners of the side walls
of the structure and therefore provide a rigid and secure structure
for play when in the erected position. Equally, the invention
allows the structure to be easily moved to the storage position by
disconnection of the panels from the connecting members 2 and
therefore allow the panels to be stored in a flat pack form one on
top of the other. The panels can also be provided with apertures
34, if this assists the decorative effect which is required to be
created. This, therefore, means that the child can gain pleasure
from playing with the item but without the potential problem of
storage when not in use.
[0044] FIGS. 4a and b illustrate further possible embodiments of
the invention and, in this case, connecting members 2 are provided
as integral parts of molded panel 36, which forms the top face of
the structure and are also provided at the base of the structure.
If desired, connecting members can also be used to connect the
panels along the vertical edges, although not shown in the
diagrams. In the case when used on top panel 36, the connecting
members are provided with only one arm 37 with a channel into which
the top edges of the side wall panels of the structure are
retained. The other arm is provided integrally with top panel 36.
In this case, a base 38 is also provided which has a further
connecting member 2 formed as apart thereof, or the connecting
members may be of the type shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] It is a further aspect of the invention that the current
invention allows the use of panels which have relatively decorative
appearances, as shown in FIGS. 4a and b. This allows for a
particularly attractive and effective visual appearance to be
created. In a further embodiment, the panels are formed of MDF
which provide the rigidity and strength, and at least the external
surface of the same is coated, typically, with a plastic laminate
onto which the decorative pattern can be printed, typically, using
a 4-color printing process to provide a detailed and attractive
visual effect. Furthermore, the panels may be provided with
apertures or other patterns to further improve the appearance.
[0046] It is, therefore, clear from the present invention as
defined that structures can be provided in an in-use condition
which is sufficiently strong and rigid so as to allow the same to
be used yet also easily moved to a storage position, without the
need for tooling or fastening elements and thereby allows the
structures to be used, for example, by children and constructed
into an in-use position by them without the need for adult
intervention which provides greater independence and education to
the children.
* * * * *