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(11) | EP 0 750 928 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | An improved modular construction for children to play |
| (57) Such comprises modular corner parts (1) including extensions (2) and (3) that form
guides for sliding and retaining the edges (4) of modular parts (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
and (10) to form right-angled connections and make up prismatic structures, such parts
having a relief imitating dressed stone and an embattled profile (12) that make them
appear as a mediaeval castle. The said parts have window (14) and door (13) spaces
for the child to gain access into the structure, and raised platforms (34) leading
to the outside through a slide (31). The invention is useful for forming modular constructions designed for children to play, and are mounted without the assistance of means other than those built in the actual parts. |
OBJECT
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved modular construction for children to play which, in addition to the function for which it was designed, affords a number of advantages discussed hereinafter, and others that are inherent in its organisation and construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The applicant for the present invention is the holder of Spanish Patent number 9202609 which relates to a structure for children to play which claimed as a novel feature the fact that it comprised a special shape and structure of the parts making it up and the means with which they could be interconnected, by fitting, slipping and/or socketing certain conjugated portions inherent in said parts, which portions were obtained at the moulding stage proper of the main part. These conjugated portions established the relevant substantially firm albeit easily detachable connecting links, allowing a stable and strong structure to be formed, which could be accessed and climbed on by a child when playing, which structure could in turn serve as a support for other auxiliary modular parts making up ladders, slides, platforms and other elements tending to render play more attractive.
[0003] The improvements offered by the object of the priority Patent lay in doing without traditional auxiliary tie means such as nails, bolts and the like.
[0004] The modular parts comprising the Patent aforesaid consisted of substantially flattened rectangular shaped bodies made of a moulded material, their working position being vertically upright, and having short extensions of the same material projecting from their longitudinal sides, each extension being curved opposite to the one below, on a different plane, to jointly define vertical guides for axially sliding edges having a round section or a section suited to other parts, thereby to obtain an angular assembly between parts or panels, favouring the construction of regular volumetric bodies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention relates to a modular construction obtained using the assembly system covered by the priority Patent aforesaid, with which a construction is obtained that is particularly useful for children to play, in which the child has a leading role and is not merely an onlooker.
[0006] The special shape and structure of the construction contribute substantial advantages to the development and playing of games, in addition to the advantages derived from the system as such, which, as set out hereinbefore, allows the construction to be easily assembled by an adult and taken apart in due course, whereupon the constituent parts may be kept in a minimum space.
[0007] More specifically, modular parts have been devised in the invention subject hereof equivalent to those covered by the priority Patent, albeit provided with a specific shape, suited to the desired construction. Now, therefore, such modular parts or panels are provided on either face with a relief imitating stone, thereby making the same appear to be stone walls. The top sides of such parts also have an embattled profile. In this way, the combination of such modular parts allows a construction to be formed which resembles a mediaeval castle, formed by a central prismatic unit, comprising four modular parts in a right-angled arrangement, which include the relevant spaces for full-centre arch doors and windows, which spaces are even additionally provided with closure elements, such as a door leaf fitted with a lock for a key. Several wings open on one side may be attached to the outside of said main body, including raised platforms allowing the child to reach a raised point leading to the outside through the relevant opening in the wall, from which the child may reach the outside ground level with the assistance of a slide or a ladder.
[0008] The present invention provides the advantages described above as well as others that will follow easily from the embodiment of a modular construction for children to play described hereinafter in detail for an easy understanding of the features set out above, contemporaneously giving a number of details and attaching to the present specification, to such end, some drawings showing a practical example of the object of the present invention that is meant to illustrate and not to limit its scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Figures 2 to 14 illustrate in perspective the successive mounting stages of the parts leading to the construction being formed altogether.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0012] With reference to the figures, the embodiment shows a construction for children to play of a kind comprising modular corner or bevel edge parts -1- having on their vertical longitudinal sides connecting means comprising material extensions -2- and -3- which together form a guide for sliding and retaining the round section edges-4- which border the longitudinal sides of modular parts-5-6-7-8-9- and -10-, forming right-angled joints between said parts, making up prismatic, dihedral angle and like bodies, suitable to construct buildings useful for children to play.
[0013] The said parts, numbered from -5- to -10- are characterised because their surface has a relief -11-imitating dressed stone, and a top embattled profile -12-that makes such parts resemble the walls of a mediaeval castle. Part -5- is provided with a full-centre arch door -13- whereas parts -6- have a similar full-centre arch window -14-. Another part -7- has a rectangular opening-15- on its upper portion and a part -8- has connecting means comprising opposite facing hooks -16-.
[0014] Parts -9- and -10- complement each other to make up the door space, including spigots -17- that are received in female holes existing in the leaf -18- to form its turning axis, such leaf having a keyhole -19- for a key-20-.
[0015] Parts -6-7- and -8- have holes -21- and -22-. The first holes are designed to receive the male salients-23- for platforms -24- to be fixed, whereas the latter are useful to fix lamp-like appliances -25-.
[0016] Parts -26- constitute floor portions that help consolidate the structure due to their negative profile-27- with respect to the profile of parts -5- and the like, adapting to such profile because the material gives way elastically, establishing a fit that locks them together.
[0017] A part -28- constitutes a top pointed pinnacle extending into a spar -29- carrying a pennant -30-.
[0018] A rectangular part -31- makes up a sliding platform or slide, to which end it has longitudinal edges -32-serving as handrails and end crosspieces -33- to be fixed in the space of a wall part.
[0019] Figures 2 to 13 show the successive mounting stages of the construction, in accordance with a simple method, which allows a structure being substantially more than three metres long, more than a metre wide, and more than a metre and seventy centimetres high to be obtained. This structure comprises a central square planed prismatic body generally designated -34- the inside of which can be reached through a door -18-. On two opposite sides of this central body -34- two wings are arranged comprised by parts -6- and -8-, joined at right angles by the connecting modules -1-. Inside such wings lie raised platforms -34- which allow the child to reach up to the height of a window space upon which the top end of the platform or slide -31- is supported.
1. An improved modular construction for children to play, of the kind comprising modular
corner parts (1) having, on their vertical longitudinal sides, material extensions
(2) and (3) which together form a guide for sliding and retaining the round section
edges (4) of flattened and vertically rectangular modular parts, which are connected
in a right-angled arrangement through such parts (1) to make up prismatic, dihedral
angle or other structures, essentially characterised because the surface of said flattened rectangular modular parts has a relief imitating
dressed stone and a top embattled profile that provide them with a shape equivalent
to the walls of a mediaeval castle.
2. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claim 1, characterised because said flattened modular parts have full-centre arch spaces constituting doors
and windows.
3. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claims 1 and 2, characterised because the modular parts have holes aligned in a row designed to receive the perimetric
fixing spigots provided in flattened parts that adopt a horizontal working position,
constituting platforms defining a raised point accessible for a child.
4. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claims 1 to 3, characterised because two of said modular parts (9) and (10) are U-shaped and when arranged to
face one another conform a door space, both parts having vertically aligned spigots
(17) which are received in female holes provided on the top and bottom rim of a door
leaf (18), constituting its turning axis.
5. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claims 1 to 4, characterised by comprising floor plates (26) of trapezial contour, having a profile (27) suitable
to be adapted to the profile of the modular wall plates, to which it adapts by elastic
fit.
6. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claims 1 to 5, characterised by comprising an elongate rectangular part (31) with longitudinal edges (32) raised
with respect to its general plane, and having at both ends a projecting built-in crosspiece
(33) which expedites fixing of one such end to the window space of a wall module,
to serve as a slide.
7. An improved modular construction for children to play, as in claims 1 to 6, characterised because the right-angled connection of the wall components together with the right-angled
connection components (1) provides a main square planed prismatic structure, the inside
of which is reached through the hinged door (18), wings being provided on two opposite
sides of said prism formed by wall parts (6) and (8) joined by means of modules (1),
inside which there are platforms (24) lying flush with the window space.