AU754828B2 - Beach sand modelling kit - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1950 Beach Sand Modelling Kit Application 13696/01 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me.

Paul McElhinney 26 September, 2002 Application No. 13696/01 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a system for constructing an unlimited number of large or small solid shapes in sand by using flexible plastic or like materials strips which when joined together form a desired shape. The sand is compacted by use of a tamping method and tool.

When a family go to the beach they normally indulge in pastimes such as swimming, surfboard riding, sunbathing or the like. When children play in the sand they are usually limited to a bucket and spade or using their hands to construct shapes. A popular pastime of children also 1J is to play in sand pits, whether they be back yard or at school.

Children also like to make things in the snow. The invention is primarily used in constructing sand shapes but can also be used for building shapes in snow.

I There have been numerous moulds produced to enable children to build structures in sand.

Examples are Patent DE 3610652 (with English abstract) which enables large sand castles to be constructed. Similarly, Patent FR 2684019 (with English abstract) and Patent US 5895304 S" are moulds for making elaborate constructions. All of these examples ensure that children and adults have to carry bulky items and spend a significant amount of time in building a structure.

.0 Patent US 6126876 however, overcomes this problem but is restricted in that it only conditions sand prior to sculpting, it does not determine the final desired shape to be achieved, whereas the current invention does.

S•One of the specific problems is ensuring that sand structures are firm and solid is the volatility Sof sand particles. Dry sand can be used but cannot maintain shape so therefore wet sand is required. Methods used in an attempt to compact wet sand vary, but usually consists of shaping by the use of hands or as in Patent US 6126876 placing sand in a mould and using a water "°filtration method. Another method is by the use of a sophisticated way of compacting sand by turning walls down as shown in Patent FR 2684019. Patent US 5895304 or Patent DE 3610652 do not appear to include a simple method of compacting sand, whereas the current S"invention does.

S" With a view to the aforementioned observations and problems, there is a need for a system that has the flexibility to be able to construct an unlimited number of small or large shapes or 5' structures, which when finished not only visually represents the intentions of the constructor but is solid in appearance and feel. Whilst the existing methods as depicted in Patents S"mentioned serve a purpose for specific types of constructions, they are not suitable to achieve the results of the present invention which is described hereafter.

O SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the invention is to provide children from age 6 and upward as well as adults with a method and apparatus (kit) to construct an unlimited number of solid shapes in sand, especially at (but not limited to) the beach.

A further aim of the invention is to allow a simple, easy and fun to use method and apparatus (kit) for constructing solid shapes in sand by either novices or experienced persons.

A further aim of the invention is to allow lightweight flexible strips of plastic of like dimensions or like material to be joined together to form an unlimited number of shapes.

A further aim of the invention is to allow aforementioned strips to be anchored into sand by the use of legs which penetrate the sand. These legs are affixed permanently on each strip. The Paul McElhinney 26 September, 2002 Application No. 13696/01 number of legs affixed to each strip may vary dependant upon safety regulations.

A further aim of the invention is to allow solidity in shape being achieved by use of a method of tamping (compacting) sand This is achieved by the use of a tamping tool specifically designed for this purpose.

A further aim of the invention is to enable whoever is using the invention to enhance their creative skills by being unrestricted in the number of shapes they can design.

For the purposes of achieving the above aims of the invention, the invention may be embodied in the form as shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are only illustrative and variations may occur as being part of the invention but limited by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other aspects of the invention, its features and usage will be more apparent from the detailed description therein and in conjunction with the following drawings.

FIG 1 is a diagrammatic perspective of a strip of plastic or like material (of which there are S• 2 several in each kit). The top section shows a top view of a strip, the middle section shows a front on view of a strip, the bottom section shows a back view of a strip.

FIG 2 is a diagrammatic perspective of more than one strip as shown in FIG 1 joined together to form a shape, the top section shows a square, the bottom section outlining how strips may be o bent to form a different shape if required..

0 FIG 3 is a diagrammatic perspective showing a shape having been anchored in and being half filled with sand ready for tamping (compacting).

FIG 4 is a diagrammatic perspective of the shape in FIG 3 being tamped (compacted) prior to filling sand to top of strips.

FIG 5 is a diagrammatic perspective of the shape in FIG 3 having been filled and smoothed, ready for finishing. (removal of strips).

FIG 6 is a diagrammatic perspective of the shape in FIG 3 finished ready for other adornments, if required.

Paul McElhinney 26 September, 2002 3 Application No.13696/01 DETAILED DESCIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG.1 shows a strip of plastic or like material which (when joined with other strips) is used to form a shape whereby the middle drawing shows a front on view, where (10) is the top of the strip, (15) the bottom, (20) the left side, (25) the right side, (30) the front side (which has permanently fixed legs attached (35) which are used to anchor strips in sand when forming shape). The bottom drawing shows a back view of the strip (40) which has a smooth face to enable a defined finish to be achieved. A shape is formed by joining two or more strips together, front side outwards back side inwards The top drawing shows a top down view of a strip outlining the hole at the top of each leg which are used when building upwards by aligning one strip on top of another. (the bottom part of the leg on one strip is inserted into a hole on the top of the leg of another strip). According to the invention the strip is the foundation on which each shape can be formed. This is shown in FIG.2 where four strips are joined together to form a shape One or more joining clips (55) may be used to I• join strips together. The top part of the drawing shows a formed shape (50) being a square whereas the bottom part of the drawing shows an unusual pattern formed shape wherein two strips have been bent to form a different specific required shape. The shape having been anchored as in FIG.2 is now ready for filling and tamping (compacting). FIG. 3 shows sand (70) being half filled inside the formed shape using a shovel (75) or like tool. Once the shape is half filled, it is then tamped (80) (compacted) as shown in FIG.4 using a tamper (specific design yet to be determined but with smooth bottom, handle on top). Once tamped sand (70) is again filled to top of formed shape then tamped (compacted) again and S. smoothed ready for finishing Finishing is done by removal of the strips shown in FIG.5 leaving the smooth solid shape (95) with all strips removed as shown in FIG.6. This is the final result unless further adornments are required.

Whilst details of the invention are given for the purposes of making a full disclosure, it may be Sapparent to those of skill in the art that some necessary changes may have to be made without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

Paul McElhinney 26 September, 2002