Building Element For Beach And Play Structures

Abstract

A building element for beach and play structures characterized by a membrane having three sides in the form of an isosceles triangle and having a rod-like stiffener fixed to and circumscribing the three sides, the rod-like stiffener on each of the three sides having two spaced-apart configurations for spring clip type fastening to corresponding configurations on the rod-like stiffener of a like adjacent building element to thereby make possible rapid assembly and/or disassembly of a wide variety of relatively inexpensive windbreak, sun shade and play structures. In one embodiment, one of the two fastening configurations is in the form of a cylindrical surface portion of the rod-like stiffener and the other fastening configuration includes a pair of spring clip legs extending from the rod-like stiffener. In a second embodiment the rod-like stiffener has two offset cylindrical portions, each to receive one side of a dual spring clip whose other side attaches to a corresponding configuration on an adjacent, like building element to thereby hold the building elements together to form an overall unitary structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to building elements having a capacity for rapid assembly and dissassembly of a wide variety of structures suitable for use as windbreaks, sun shade and play structures and the like, highly suitable for beach use or for children's play, and more particularly to building elements for beach and play structures, each made up of a membrane having three sides in the form of an isosceles triangle, a rod-like stiffner fixed to and circumscribing the three sides to form with the membrane a unitary panel, the rod-like stiffener on each of the sides having two spaced apart configurations for spring clip type fastening to corresponding configurations on a rod-like stiffener of a like adjacent panel to hold the panels together as a unitary structure. One of the fastener configurations on the rod-like stiffener is in the form of a cylindrical surface portion of the rod-like stiffener and the other of the fastener configurations has a pair of laterally deflectable spring clip legs extending outwardly from the rod-like stiffener and shaped to be pushed onto and yieldably grasp a cylindrical surface at a corresponding position on a rod-like stiffener of an adjacent, like building element which also has a like spring clip configuration for grasping the first mentioned cylindrical surface portion to thereby hold the building elements together as an integral structure with capacity for adding further like building elements thereto in like manner.

Portable breakdown beach shelters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,756 have a narrow limited value in that they fail to provide for versatility or variation of structural arrangement to meet a changing weather condition or space need.

Demountable buildings made of equilateral triangle sections such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,178 are impractical for beach or play structures in that the individual sections are necessarily of a heavy, cumbersome nature requiring trucking facilities and substantial manpower for transporting and erecting. Triangular structural elements such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,296,755 are limited to creation of generally spherical buildings and lack suitability for use as temporary beach and play structures.

Right triangle building components disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,970 show greater variety of structures which may be erected but lack the desired versatility and convenience in erection and dissassembly in that, for example, adhesive tape is relied on for joining individual components. Nor is the panel joining arrangement for structural panels disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,858 suitable for the present invention in that it would unnecessarily limit structural versatility as will appear as this description progresses.

While the above mentioned building elements do perform their functions in the limited area described, they do not have the capacity to provide the versatility as to variety of different structural arrangements possible, ease of assembling and dissassembling such structural arrangements, ease in transporting the structural elements to the point of use, and range of uses for which the present invention is inherently applicable.

The present invention constitutes a significant advance in the art since Applicant's building elements have the capacity for constructing a large variety of building structures limited only by the imagination of the individual doing the building, thereby providing children with many hours of enjoyable and constructive playtime, as well as providing adults with a relatively simple and inexpensive means for readily erecting a cabana, windbreak, shade or play structure of a size and type for the particular need such as for a brief stay at a beach or resort, thereby providing greater enjoyment of such stay.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a building element having capacity for the construction of a wide variety of useful structures.

Another object is the provision of a building element particularly adaptable for the type of structures useful at a beach or for play.

A further object is the provision of a building element which may be relatively easily assembled with or dissassembled from other like building elements.

And another object is the provision of a building elements which readily lends itself to being light enough for even children to carry and assemble and large enough for structures which even adults may occupy.

And a further object is the provision of a building element which has the capacity for providing an educational building experience for children in the use of a basic geometric form.

Further objects include that of providing a building element which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, lends itself to mass production from molded plastic materials, is sturdy enough to withstand moderate winds and weather conditions at the beach and the out of doors, and is simple enough for assembling and dissassembling with other like building elements for even children to grasp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A buulding element for beach and play in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a membrane having three sides in the form of an isosceles triangle, a rod-like stiffener fixed to and circumscribing said sides to form with said membrane a rigid unitary panel, the rod-like stiffener having on each of the three sides two spaced apart configurations in the nature of spring clip arrangements for attaching to corresponding configurations on a rod-like stiffener to a like adjacent building element to thereby make possible rapid assembly of like building elements to each of said three sides and rapid dissassembly when desired. One of the two fastening configurations on each side is in the form of a cylindrical surface portion of the rod-like stiffener and the other of the fastening configurations includes a pair of laterally deflectable spring clip legs extending outwardly from the rod-like stiffener and shaped to be pushed onto and yieldably grasp a cylindrical surface similar to that of the above mentioned cylindrical surface fastening configuration, thereby making possible rapid attaching and detaching of like adjacent building elements on each of the respective three sides. In those instances where greater structural strength is desired, the membrane may include a plurality of strengthening and stiffener ribs. An opening in the membrane adjacent each cylindrical surface fastening configuration is preferably provided as clearance for the laterally deflectable spring clip legs which yieldably grasp the cylindrical surface to thereby substantially increase the the degree of angular swing or adjustment possible between adjacent assembled panels and make possible an increased range and complexity of structures from the panels. The rod-like stiffener is preferably formed of two half-round members, one on each side of the membrane, and fastened together by conventional means such as a suitable cement, staples, nails, rivets, screws, or in the event that the components are of a thermoplastic, fastening may also be achieved by fusion of contact areas by the application of heat and pressure. The building elements lend themselves to particularly inexpensive construction from a number of different plastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and the like.

A second embodiment of the invention contemplates that the two fastener configurations on each of the sides are in the form of offset cylindrical surface portions of the rod-like stiffener and a separate double spring clip comprised of two opposed pairs of laterally deflectable legs, each pair of legs being similar to that described above with respect to the first embodiment. Each of the pairs of spring clip legs are shaped to grip the corresponding offset cylindrical surface portion of an adjacent like building element. The amount of offset of the cylindrical portions is such that the rod-like stiffeners of adjacent building elements will be in abutting relation to each other when held in place by the dual spring clips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with the features, objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers identify like components, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a building element for beach and play in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale view of cooperating fastener portions of two FIG. 1 type building elements to more clearly show construction and operation of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3 to more clearly show construction;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3 to more clearly show construction;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a building element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged scale view of cooperating fastener portions of two FIG. 6 type building elements to more clearly show construction and operation thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 7 to more clearly show construction;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 7 to more clearly show construction;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a possible assembled arrangement of four FIG. 1 type building elements;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a possible assembled arrangement of four FIG. 6 type building elements;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a windbreak and sun shade constructed from only to building elements of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a larger windbreak and sun shade constructed from four building elements of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a large tepee constructed from building elements of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a windbreak or screen constructed of building elements of the invention for protecting a substantial area;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a vertical walled tent or cabana constructed of building elements of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an imaginative play structure from building elements of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a form of windbreak or sun shade constructed of building elements of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating windbreak with roof overhang for shade and shelter constructed of building elements of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating another tepee configuration constructed from building elements of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating further curved wall type windbreak and screen constructed of building elements of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A building element for beach and play structures embodying the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 22 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10. The building element 22 has a membrane 24 preferably of a plastic material such as polyethylene, but may also be of other materials such as canvas or plywood. The membrane 24 under some use conditions may desirably have a plurality of strengthening ribs 26. The membrane 24 has the shape of an isosceles triangle, the three sides of which are fixed to and circumscribed by a rod-like stiffener 28. The rod-like stiffener 28 is preferably made of two mirror image half-round cross sectional members 28a and 28b (FIGS. 4 and 5). The half-round members 28a and 28b are preferably of molded polyethylene or other suitable plastic, but may also be of wood or metal and are fixed to the three sides of the triangular membrane 24 by conventional means such as cementing or, in the case of thermoplastic materials as polyethylene, by fusing at the contact surfaces with the membrane 24 by heat and pressure, or alternatively by staples, nails, screws or rivets (not shown), to thereby form a rigid, unitary panel.

The rod-like stiffener 28 carries on each of the sides of the triangular membrane 24 two spaced apart configurations 30 and 32 respectively for spring clip type fastening to corresponding configurations on rod-like stiffeners of a like adjacent building element as shown in FIG. 10. The fastening configuration 30 is in the form of a cylindrical surface portion of the rod-like stiffener 28. The other fastening configuration 32 on each of the three sides of the membrane 24 has a pair of laterally deflectable spring clip legs 34 and 36 extending outwardly from the rod-like stiffener 28, and shaped to be pushed onto and yieldably grasp a cylindrical surface 38 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on a rod-like stiffener 40 circumscribing a membrane 42 of a building element 44 of like shape and size as the building element 22. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, a plurality of building elements 22 may be rapidly fastened together and thereafter rapidly dissassembled because of the spring clip fastening configurations 30 and 32 on the rod-like stiffener at each of the sides of the membrane 24.

To facilitate increased swing or angular positioning 46 between adjacent building elements 22, such as shown in FIG. 4, an opening 48 is provided in the membrane 24 (FIG. 1) and an opening 50 in the membrane 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to provide clearance for the respective spring clip legs 34 and 36.

In operation, any desired number of beach and play building elements 22 may be assembled by simply pushing each spring clip type fastening member 32 onto the corresponding cylindrical surface configuration 30 of another like building element 22 as shown in FIG. 10 to thereby make possible an almost limitless number of useful structures for various purposes. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates that as few as two building elements 22 may form a useful windbreak for an individual under mild weather conditions. FIG. 13 illustrates a larger shelter which may quickly be formed from only four building elements 22. Or a variety of sizes and types of tepees may be constructed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 20, or an umbrella type tent structure as shown in FIG. 16. A larger area encompassing windbreak and screen may be constructed in various heights and forms as shown in FIGS. 15, 18 and 21 and even varied to include an overhead shelter as shown in FIG. 19. An even more sophisticated structure, limited only by the imagination of the builder, may be rapidly constructed from building elements 22 as evidenced by the structure in FIG. 17. The FIGS. 12 through 21 structures are presented herein as illustrative of the wide variety of useful structures possible by the present invention and not intended as limitations thereof.

It has been found that the size proportions of the building element 22 are most advantageous and convenient for building usable windbreak and shelter structures as shown and described when the equal angles 45 of the isosceles triangle are each between 65.degree. and 70.degree. and the height 47 is about two feet. However, other proportions may be desirable for particular uses. For example, for use in building miniature structures or models, the height 47 may be much smaller and in the order of two inches.

A second embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 52 in FIG. 6 wherein a triangular membrane 24, similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 1, has its three sides fixed to and circumscribed by a rod-like stiffener 54. The rod-like stiffener 54 on each of the sides of the membrane 24 has two offset cylindrical surface fastening configurations 56, each for receiving one pair of laterally deflectable spring clip legs 58 and 60 of a dual spring clip 62 which also has opposed laterally deflectable spring clip legs 64 and 66 for fastening onto an offset cylindrical surface configuration 68 of another building element 70 of like size and shape as the building element 52. The amount of offset 72 (FIG. 7) of the cylindrical surface fastening configuration 56 is just sufficient to accomodate the dual spring clip 62 so that the rod-like stiffeners 54 and 68 (FIG. 7) abut each other to form an overall substantially continuous structural surface.

There is an opening 74 at each of the offset cylindrical fastening configurations 56 to provide clearance for the spring clip legs 58, 60 and 64, 66 respectively to thereby permit increased angular positioning 76 between adjacent building elements 52 and 70.

The spring clip 62 may be of metal or suitable plastic. Extruded aluminum or extruded nylon are examples of suitable materials for the spring clip 62.

In operation, a plurality of building elements 52 may be rapidly assembled with the use of dual spring clips 62 as shown in FIG. 11 and, if desired, thereafter rapidly dissassembled by simply pulling them apart. Also, as explained in connection with the FIG. 1 embodiment, the alternative structure of FIGS. 6 and 11 lends itself to the wide variety of useful structures illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 21 and described above in connection with the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Where stronger than moderate winds are encountered, the bases of windbreak structures such as those illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 21 may be thrust into the sand or fastened to the ground by other conventional means to add stability to the structures.

This invention is not limited to the particular details of construction and operation described as equivalents will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A building element for beach and play structures comprising in combination, a membrane having three sides and corners in the form of an isosceles triangle, a rod-like stiffener fixed to and completely circumscribing said sides and corners to form a rigid frame about said membrane and with said membrane a rigid unitary panel, said rod-like stiffener having on each of said sides two spaced apart configurations for spring clip type fastening and adjusting over a wide angular range to corresponding configurations on a rod-like stiffener of a like adjacent building element and thereby make possible rapid assembly and dissassembly of like building elements and a wide variety of said structures.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein one of said fastening configurations is in the form of a cylindrical surfaced portion of said rod-like stiffener and the other of said fastener configurations includes a pair of laterally deflectable legs extending outwardly from said rod-like stiffener and shaped to be pushed onto and yieldably grasp a cylindrical surface similar to that of said first mentioned fastening configuration.

3. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said membrane has a plurality of strengthening ribs and an opening adjacent each cylindrical fastening configuration to provide a clearance for legs of the type forming the other of said fastening configurations.

4. The combination as in claim 3 wherein said membrane stiffener and spring clip structure are of a molded plastic.

5. The combination as in claim 4 wherein the plastic is polyethylene.

6. The combination as in claim 2 wherein the rod-like stiffener is comprised of two mirror image sections with each having a flat surface touching a respective surface of said membrane and firmly fastened together with the sides of the membrane held between said flat surfaces.

7. The combination as in claim 2 wherein the equal angles of said isosceles triangle are between 65.degree. and 70.degree. each and the height of the triangle is about 2 feet.

8. The combination as in claim 1 wherein all of the spaced apart configurations on said sides are cylindrical surface portions of said rod-like stiffener.

9. The combination as in claim 8 wherein each of said cylindrical surface portions is offset from the remaining rod-like stiffener to provide clearance for said spring clip type fastening to a corresponding configuration on a rod-like stiffener of a like adjacent building element.

10. The combination as in claim 1 wherein each of the fastener configurations include an offset cylindrical surface portion of said rod-like stiffener with at least one of said sides carrying on at least one of its two offset cylindrical portions a double spring clip comprised of two opposed pairs of laterally deflectable legs pressurably gripping said offset cylindrical surface and the other pair of laterally deflectable legs extending outwardly for pressurably fastening to a similar offset cylindrical surface of a rod-like structure of a like adjacent building element, the amount of offset of said cylindrical surface portions being such that said rod-like stiffeners of adjacent building elements will be in abutting relation to each other when fixed in place by said dual spring clip.

11. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said membrane has an opening adjacent each cylindrical fastening configuration to provide clearance for legs of the type forming the other of said fastening configurations.

12. The combination as in claim 9 wherein said membrane has an opening adjacent each of said cylindrical surface portions to provide clearance for angular rotation of said spring clip on the associated cylindrical surface.