Safety cap for balance and sensory boards to prevent head entrapment and to expand mounting options

Abstract

Cap for balancing and sensory boards, comprising a multiplex ring which has a recessed multiplex plate on the head side that extends beyond the ring, wherein the ring is attached to the balancing board and cannot be removed after assembly, characterized in that the cap prevents head entrapment points and allows additional balancing boards to be stably connected to the existing board at any angle and in any shape.

Description

Technical area:

[0001] The present invention relates to children's toys, in particular to balance and sensory boards that are combined with commercially available toy bricks, balancing stones, or foam blocks. This invention is particularly relevant for early childhood development, as it aims at the safe and flexible design of activity courses for children. The safety cap enables improved safety when using such balance boards and simultaneously expands the possibilities for securely connecting different boards to one another. State of the art:

[0002] The current state of the art includes various balance and sensory boards designed for children, often used in combination with toy bricks or balancing stones. These boards are intended to support children's motor development by promoting balance and coordination.

[0003] However, existing products have the problem that head-catching points can occur during installation of such boards, which pose a significant safety risk for children. To solve this problem, some manufacturers have removed parts of the fastening circle, creating a "bone" look. This solution, however, has significant disadvantages: It severely limits the stability and attachment options of the boards, as the newly connected board does not rest securely in every position. This results in limited flexibility when setting up obstacle courses and can prevent the boards from being used safely and stably.

[0004] The need to solve this safety problem and at the same time increase the flexibility and stability of the balance boards leads to the present invention. Object of the invention:

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to create a safety cap for balance and sensory boards that effectively prevents children from getting their heads caught while simultaneously expanding the possibilities for connecting multiple boards at different angles and shapes safely and securely. This safety cap is intended not only to maintain the existing functionality of balance boards, but also to significantly improve it by ensuring greater safety and flexibility during play.

[0006] The invention aims to completely eliminate the risk of injuries caused by head-catching devices while simultaneously offering the possibility of creating versatile and stable balancing courses. This is achieved through a special cap design that can be easily attached to standard balance boards, ensuring a permanent, stable connection. Description of the invention:

[0007] The present invention presents an innovative safety cap for balance and sensory boards that can be used in combination with commercially available toy bricks, balance stones, or foam blocks. The cap is designed to increase safety by eliminating the risk of head entrapment and to allow for the safe and stable connection of multiple balance boards.

[0008] The safety cap consists of a robust multiplex ring, sized to fit snugly onto the balance boards. A further multiplex plate is embedded on top of the ring, which engages with and extends beyond the ring. This construction ensures that the cap sits firmly on the balance board after installation and cannot come loose. The embedded multiplex plate is also secured with glue, ensuring a particularly stable connection between the plate and the ring. This prevents children from getting their heads caught in the gap and injuring themselves during play.

[0009] A combination of dowels and glue is used to attach the entire cap to the balance board. The multiplex ring is precisely positioned using dowels and then secured with a special wood glue to ensure a permanent and secure connection. This method ensures that the cap remains firmly attached to the board, even during intensive use, and cannot slip or come loose. The use of dowels and glue ensures an extremely stable attachment, increasing both the safety and longevity of the cap. Description of the drawings: 1. Fig. : This drawing shows the multiplex ring with two dowel holes. The dowel holes are strategically positioned to allow for precise and stable attachment to the balance board. 2. Fig. : Here, the multiplex ring is shown split into two parts. The ring is milled in two parts to achieve more efficient use of material. After milling, the two halves are glued together to restore the ring and ensure its stability. 3. Fig. : This drawing shows the cover plate, which will later be embedded and glued into the multiplex ring. The cover plate is a central element that ensures the stability and functionality of the cap. 4. Fig. : This shows a top view of our sensory balance board with the safety cap attached. This view shows how the cap is positioned on the board and how it makes the balance board safer. 5. Fig. : This drawing shows the side view of the complete balance board with the safety cap installed. The side view illustrates the height and structure of the cap in relation to the balance board. 6. Fig. : This illustration shows the balance board being used as a marble run. It demonstrates how the safety cap can be used in various play environments. 7. Fig. : Our sample balance board is shown here with all finished surfaces. This drawing shows the complete design and surface finish of the board. 8. Fig. : This drawing shows the colorful balance board. The illustration highlights the board's aesthetic customization options. 9. Fig. : This drawing shows the balance board with grooves. The grooves serve both the visual design and the tactile experience of balancing. 10. Fig. : This image shows the balance board with a base milled. The base is detailed using different milling depths to create an interesting tactile surface. 11. Fig. : This drawing shows the balance board with a waffle pattern. The pattern gives the board a special texture and increases play versatility. 12. Fig. : This image shows the balance board with a groove for a sand inlay. The inlay provides additional sensory and tactile stimulation. 13. Fig. : This drawing shows the balance board with a groove for a stone inlay. Similar to the sand inlay, it expands the board's tactile possibilities. 14. Fig. : This image shows the balance board with a hand-milled finish. The hand is detailed using varying milling depths to provide an interesting tactile and visual experience.

Claims

[1] Cap for balance and sensory boards, comprising a multiplex ring which has a recessed multiplex plate on the head side and projects beyond the ring, wherein the ring is attached to the balance board and cannot be removed after assembly, characterized by that the cap prevents head traps and additional balance boards can be securely attached to the existing board in any angle and shape. [2] Cap according to claim 1, characterized by that the recessed multiplex board allows the connected balance board to be fully supported, thus creating a stable and secure connection. [3] Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the multiplex ring and the embedded multiplex panel are made of a material-reinforced wood composite, which ensures high stability and durability. [4] Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cap is dimensioned in such a way that it can be precisely mounted on commercially available balance and sensory boards without the need for additional fastening elements. [5] Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the multiplex ring is attached to the balance board using dowels and glue to ensure a permanent and firm connection.

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