Children's Play Garage With Self-contained Storage Compartment

Abstract

A children's garage structure where all of the horizontal strength and ridigity is provided by a demountable horizontal toybox section. The completed structure is capable of housing a tricycle, small bike, toy car, fire engine or similar vehicle. The length to width ratio of the horizontal toybox section is from 1:1 to 10:1. The toybox may be constructed of cardboard, sheetmetal, or plastic which has been either extruded into a channel shape or vacuum formed with an appropriate strengthening pattern. The structure has enough rigidity to support a child in play and functions as both a playhouse and a storage area when not in use. The basic concept of employing a demountable horizontal toy box section as the main structural element of a piece of juvenile furniture is adaptable for use with structures other than that simulating a garage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to building structures and more specifically to a playhouse for children which is designed to provide easy access from one end for a toy vehicle such as a tricycle, bicycle, toy car, fire engine or other similar vehicle. The playhouse has, as the main structural member, a box-like structure which may additionally have a hinged lid that functions as a toybox for storage of small toys and other objects. The structure therefore functions with a dual purpose, first, as a toy garage, and second, as a storage means for small toys and children's play vehicles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior children's playhouses have been produced in many shapes and designs and in many manners of construction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,184, issued to T. W. Johnson et al discloses and claims a building structure capable of being assembled and disassembled without the use of tools to provide an educational playhouse for children. This structure comes in kit form and is designed to be easily put together and taken apart by children without tools. It consists of verticle corner posts and coded horizontal frame members, both of which have grooves therein, and coded panels adapted to be secured between the corner posts. The structure is sold in the disassembled condition and assembled by the children to form a playhouse that is of standard rectangular shape in construction and is enclosed on all horizontal surfaces.

Other approaches have produced playhouses or toy structures as a result of assembly of channel beam members, dowelled connections a particularly novel approach is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,965 issued to Bruce L. Gibb. Gibb teaches the use of an elongated construction beam provided with a plurality of space longitudinally extending channels. In communication with these channels are a plurality of dowel receiving openings. These elongated beams are fitted into specially constructed foundation and roof assembly frames to form the structural elements of a playhouse by use of additional elements and dividers horizontal and vertical openings can be defined in the surface of the structure. Internally there can be a horizontal division of space. This is done by supporting horizontally level boards on supports that fit into channels in the vertically grooved members that extend from the foundation frame to the roof frame. These supports are positioned by the use of dowels to prevent movement of the support in the groove of the vertical frame member. This type of construction results in considerable versatility. However, such a structure would not permit easy access by a child riding a tricycle since it requires a foundation frame member which would not be flush with the floor and is usually enclosed, or at least has restricted openings on all sides.

Thus, it can be seen that the prior art, while it has taught many different shapes and configurations of children's playhouses, has not taught one that can function adequately as both a play garage and a storage area for a child's vehicle and other assorted play materials when these items are not in use by the child. The structure of the invention provides, in one compact unit, an attractive playhouse for the child to play in and about, both with and without a vehicle, and additionally provides the means for the child to gather up the toys that are strewn about and store them ready for use the next time he plays in the area. This latter feature is a great aid in teaching the child cleanliness, neatness and safety consciousness, all without sacrificing large amounts of floor space.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide a structure capable of housing a child's toy automobile, bike, tricycle, or other children's vehicle when not in use while also being capable of functioning as a children's playhouse or garage.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a structure that is capable of providing compact, attractive, readily available and functional storage space for small toys and objects while also functioning as a toy garage permits the child to park a self propelled vehicle such as a tricycle, wagon, et cetera.

It is a related object of the invention to provide a structure having, as the main horizontal structural element, a generally U-shaped section, positioned close to the mid point of the total height of the structure, at one end thereof.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a construction wherein said generally U-shaped member is assembled with the opening facing upwards so that it can function as a storage compartment or receptacle, for use as the child desires during play.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a children's playhouse that is bi-level in profile and totally open at one end of the higher level section, thereby to permit easy access by a wheeled vehicle to the interior of the playhouse or garage.

It is still further object of the invention to provide a structure that can function as a playhouse having two levels and windows that a child may climb in and about, and which will provide for storage of playthings within a generally horizontal member of the playhouse when the playthings are not in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide methods and means for assembly and disassembly of the structure.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a construction of the toy from vacuum formed plastic materials.

A preferred form of the invention intended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects consists of a bi-level structure that in profile resembles a stylized side view of an automobile. The principal structural element of the playhouse is a toy chest that has a lid and which, when closed represents the hood of the automobile. The area normally occupied by windows and windshield is open, as is the rear portion of the structure which runs the full height of the playhouse. The structure does not have any floor or any internal bracing that may serve as an obstruction to the entrance of a child on his bicycle, tricycle or other play vehicle.

When not in use, the child's vehicle is garaged within the taller portion of the structure and small playthings are stored in the hood-storage compartment. The child may use the structure as a garage, or as a playhouse. The structure is sturdy enough, with the single box-like storage compartment as its major and only horizontal structural element, to support a child climbing over the hood and through the windshield or out of the windows. In practice, it has been found that the ratio of the length of the hood-storage compartment to the depth of this compartment must be within the range of from 1:1 to 10:1 in order for the member to have sufficient strength to support the weight of a child climbing on the structure.

THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention constructed from plastic sheet;

FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating an alternate means of construction from sheet materials;

FIGS. 8 a-d are perspective views of various end structures of the main horizontal member;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one method of attaching the side member of flexible sheet material to the horizontal member;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a horizontal member constructed of foldable sheet material, partially in the unfolded state.

DETAILED DESCIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an exploded view of the playhouse 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is thereshown.

This playhouse includes, as its main horizontal cross brace member, a channel-shaped structure 2 which is comprised of sides 4 and 8 and bottom 6 and has a separate lid 10 attached by hinges 12 to side 8 at two locations on the uppermost edge of side 8. Attached to the ends of channel member 2 are side members 20, which in part support roof 18. Gables 16 extend between sides 20. Roof member 18, which has no structural function, is also attached to the gable members 16 which serve to both support the roof and to maintain the spacing between sides 20. While sides 20 have been illustrated as being flat and planar and the distances between them uniform at each of the locations where they join cross, or horizontal, members, this is not necessarily required. For example, with thin plastic material it may be desirable to have several offsets and to provide some contour to each side 20 in order to increase its vertical strength or horizontal rigidity. The roof 18 has been illustrated as being a single sheet of material, but obviously it could be made of two pieces of sheet material, either fixedly or hingedly, joined at the apex.

FIGS. 2 - 5 show other features of the preferred embodiment that contribute to its utility. The rear of the structure is unfettered by any brace or other structure that would prohibit or retard access to a wheeled vehicle. The box-like structure 2 is situated at such a height that it will permit a child to climb on the upper surface thereof and gain access to the interior of the structure through the windshield area or to crawl beneath the bottom to gain access in that manner. It provides sufficient rigidity, to permit the child to stand or sit on the structure. In order to serve this function, however, it is necessary for the length to width ratio to be within the range of from 1:1 to 10:1, the height being chosen to facilitate access by the child beneath the structure and through the windshield area. Additional access to the interior can be gained through the windows in sides 20 through the rear opening.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 - 5 the material of construction is illustrated as being a rigid material such as plywood, Masonite or any other common construction material that permits assembly and joining through the use of ordinary fittings such as screws, bolts et cetera. The hinges 12, may be flush mounted from the inside or mounted externally as illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5. The knob or handle on the lid 10 may resemble a hood ornament or a radiator cap for decorative purposes when the structure is to resemble a car.

The preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 - 5 can be produced by standard woodworking techniques, the planar pieces being cut to size and shape; the main structural element 2 can also be constructed of planar pieces and assembled into the desired structure, which may or may not have additional cross bracing across the width for added stability and rigidity of this member. The conventionally produced pieces of the structure are then assembled and secured together by the use of wood screws or glue or any other conventional method.

FIGS. 8 b, c, and d show additional channel or cross brace members that can be used in the modification shown in FIGS. 1 - 5. FIG. 8 b shows an alternate method of assembling the box-like structure wherein the two sides 4 and 8 of channel 2 have attached at the bottom thereof a longitudinally groove member into which is received the bottom member 6, which is then secured therein to form the completed channel. As before, at the upper end of side 8', hinge 12' is mounted attached to which is lid 10'. In FIG. 8 b, the hinges are shown as being internally mounted. 8 c and 8 d illustrate additional bracing members that can be used in place of the channel member. The cross-section of 8 c is a tube which could be made of cardboard or could be extruded plastic or other materials. If such a structure were used as a cross brace of course there would be no access for storage. A half round or non-rectangular channel is illustrated in FIG. 8 d. This member could be mounted with the open side up, which would facilitate storage, or open side down, which would prevent storage.

FIG. 6 illustrates several techniques of construction available. For example the channel member 62 is shown as an extruded plastic member. Side panels 60 and 61 are shown as through they were constructed of vacuum formed plastic sheet material. Side panel 61 has been vacuum formed with strengthening tabs on each end, which additionally facilitate bonding to the channel member and to the roof supports 66. Side member 60 is illustrated as additionally being formed with offsets or irregularities at other portions of the side, which function to increase the strength of the over all structure, while simultaneously contributing significant freedom to the designer to produce an aesthetically pleasing structure.

FIG. 7 shows a method of constructing an embodiment of the structure that facilitates assembly and disassembly. As shown in this figure, sides 70 and 71, gables 76 and channel structure 72, are all provided with slots in the area of the intersection of the respective members. These slots are so constructed (see FIG. 7 a) as to permit flush mounting of the bodies in each other, if desired. The roof may be secured to the gables 76 by dowels made of wood or plastic which fit into holes formed either directly in the gable or in a body attached to the side of the gable or may be attached by fitting about projections extending from the gables.

The method of construction illustrated in FIG. 7 lends itself to the use of cardboard as the structural material. The channel member 72 of FIG. 7, could be constructed as shown in FIG. 8 a wherein the channel 82 is constructed of a single piece of cardboard material that has been folded to provide a minimum of double strength structures for the side members 84 and 88. Additionally, a strengthening rib can be provided that will extend between side 84 and 88 by employing the construction of the channel member shown in FIG. 10. The tongue 105 in FIG. 10 folds to form a brace extending from wall 84 to wall 88 as illustrated in FIG. 8a when assembled.

FIG. 9 illustrates an additional method of attaching vacuum formed sheet material to the channel member. A vertical slot is provided in the front surface of the channel member and the sheet material is inserted therein. It is then bent around and secured to one end of the channel member. Formed this way the curved portion illustrated in FIG. 9 provides great columnar strength even when relatively thin plastic materials are employed. (The same effect would be obtained of course with the use of a sheet metal structure mounted similarly.)

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES

From the above it can be seen that the inventive structure, and methods of construction, provide a playhouse of unusual versatility and simplified construction.

The structure is capable of functioning as both a playhouse and a storage area for a vehicle. Optionally it could provide additional storage space for small playthings at the site of their use. The convenience of the storage area would greatly increase the tendency of a child to utilize the same for its intended purpose and would reinforce the constant admonitions of his parents to maintain a neat and safe play area.

The structure, in all of its modifications, is extremely versatile. It can be used as a play garage; or as a playhouse; or as a structure to climb in, on, or about; or finally as storage space. In one of the constructional embodiments the structure could be rapidly assembled and disassembled for storage in a confined area, the assembly being performed without the use of screws, bolts et cetera.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described herein, for obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art.

Claims

I claim:

1. A combination playhouse and toybox structure comprising a horizontally elongated structural unit, a pair of enclosure-forming vertically oriented side members, a roof member and end gables, said structural unit constituting a toybox and incorporating spaced vertically extending sides and a full length bottom extending between and interconnecting said sides to define a rigid unit of generally channel shaped upwardly opening configuration with opposed ends, said unit having a length to width ratio of from 1:1 to 10:1, said enclosure forming side members being affixed to and closing the opposed ends of the structural unit and being rigidly interconnected thereby in upright spaced parallel relation to each other, said side members extending laterally of said structural unit and terminating remote from said structural unit, said roof member being supported by said side members and end gables, said side members being free of obstructing structural elements laterally of said structural unit to a height equal to the bottom of said end gables and defining an enlarged interior freely accessible from the end remote from the structural unit, wherein said side members, laterally of said structural unit, extend vertically upward to a height above the structural unit, said side members at the opposed ends of the structural unit being of a substantially lesser height, the interior defined between said side members laterally of the structural unit being accessible over said structural unit.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the side members are planar.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the side members are non-planar.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the non-planar side members are vacuum formed from sheet plastic material.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the non-planar sheet plastic material is vacuum formed with strengthening ribs running in a vertical direction when assembled.

6. The structure of claim 4 wherein the non-planar plastic material is formed with irregular shapes that represent features of a design.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the horizontally elongated unit is constructed of cardboard.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the cardboard is folded to provide the entire structure with a double wall thickness thereby increasing the rigidity of the assembled structure.

9. The structure of claim 7 wherein the cardboard materials is additionally supplied with longitudinally extending brace members.

10. The structure of claim 1 including lid means for a selective closing of the upwardly opening receptacle defining unit.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein access openings to the interior are formed through each of said side members.