Safe Compactible Play Structure

a compactible, play technology, applied in the field of amusement devices, can solve the problems of limiting the ways in which it can be compacted, using rigid materials for slides, and less fun for rigid slides than flexible sheets

US20050059500A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-03-17FINSTEIN NATHAN
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2005-03-17
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A child's play ramp, of flexible sheet material, leading up to a play room. Ramp is for climbing and sliding. The playroom is open to the ramp, but part of that opening is covered by a screen. Barriers prevent dangerous falls in directions other than down the ramp. A safety mat is included at ramp bottom. The product is compactible into the form of a box. There is: a specific foothold construction; a specific way of lining side fall barriers; and a specific method of attaching a safety mat to the low end of the ramp.
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Description

CLAIMING BENEFIT OF PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 490,919 filed on Jul. 30, 2003.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention is in the field of amusement devices, specifically: body slides; play area climbing arrangements; foldable toy habitations; devices including container for storing their parts; and play structures including safety enclosures and / or safety mats.

[0003] Slides for children are well known.

[0004] Typically the slide, including its climbing feature, is constructed of rigid material. Rigid slides may be less fun than a flexible sheet slide. Using rigid material for a slide also limits the ways in which it can be compacted.

[0005] Slide toys typically do not come with integrated safety mats for the bottom end of the slide and bottom end of the climbing feature, and parents may neglect to add safety surfaces when purchasing slides.

[0006] Slides typically do not come with fall barriers, apa...

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Embodiment Construction

[0038] Caution

[0039] At the time of application for patent, safety testing is not complete. Use caution.

[0040] Configurations

[0041] The play structure has two main configurations: deployed (FIG. 1) for use; and compacted (FIG. 4c) for storage or transport. While in the process of being deployed or being compacted, the structure may be in one of many intermediate configurations (FIGS. 4a-4b).

[0042] This description refers to the deployed configuration, except where explicitly stated otherwise.

[0043] Orientation

[0044]FIG. 1 shows how the terms “left”, “right”, “front” and “back” are used in this description. The playroom 2 back wall is at the back. The safety mat 5 is at the front. Left and right are from the point of view of a person standing in front of the structure, and facing the structure.

[0045] Moderate Detail

[0046] Children, when using this product, play directly: on a ramp 1a-1b; in a play room 2; and on a safety mat 5.

[0047] The ramp has a climbing portion 1b and a ...