CA2190445A1 - Children's inflatable play enclosure - Google Patents
Children's inflatable play enclosureInfo
- Publication number
- CA2190445A1 CA2190445A1 CA 2190445 CA2190445A CA2190445A1 CA 2190445 A1 CA2190445 A1 CA 2190445A1 CA 2190445 CA2190445 CA 2190445 CA 2190445 A CA2190445 A CA 2190445A CA 2190445 A1 CA2190445 A1 CA 2190445A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- children
- base
- enclosure defined
- wall structure
- play enclosure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D15/00—Accessories for children's furniture, e.g. safety belts
- A47D15/001—Mattresses
- A47D15/003—Mattresses foldable, e.g. baby mats
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D13/00—Other nursery furniture
- A47D13/06—Children's play- pens
- A47D13/061—Children's play- pens foldable
- A47D13/063—Children's play- pens foldable with soft walls
Abstract
A children's play enclosure is composed of a flexible inflatable toroidal base having a central opening which is filled by a flexible inflatable floor. A
flexible inflatable side wall structure is connected to the base, the side wall structure, when inflated, extending up an appreciable distance from the base.
The side wall structure has at least one access opening and one or more valves is provided for inflating the base, floor and side wall structure. The play enclosure may be used on land or float in a pool or the like.
flexible inflatable side wall structure is connected to the base, the side wall structure, when inflated, extending up an appreciable distance from the base.
The side wall structure has at least one access opening and one or more valves is provided for inflating the base, floor and side wall structure. The play enclosure may be used on land or float in a pool or the like.
Description
219~445 CHILDREN'S INFLATABLE PLAY ENCLOSURE
This invention relates to a play enclosure for children. It relates especially to a play enclosure which may contain a multiplicity of small balls in 5 which children can immerse themselves in play.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, play enclosures of the type with which we are concerned are tent-like structures having a floor, a solid or screened side wall extending up 10 from the floor and, perhaps, a top wall or roof for shielding the children from the elements. One or more access openings is provided in the side wall by which children can enter and leave the enclosure. An example of such a play enclosure is found in application Serial No. 291028,624, filed October 6, 1994, now patent While the above described tent-like play enclosures do provide a degree of entertainment for children, they have certain drawbacks. More particularly, like tents, they require a plurality of frame members for supporting the side wall and roof of the enclosure. These support members can become lost. Also, their required connections to the enclosure side wall and roof complicate the assembly or erection of the enclosure. Also, the prior enclosures of this type must be erected on a solid surface in order to be usable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a children's play enclosure which is easy to erect because it is a unitary structure which is inflatable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosure of this type which is very safe to use because its floor and side wall structure are flexibleand quite resilient.
A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary play enclosure of this general type which can float on water.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a play enclosure which is relatively easy to manufacture using standard practices.
Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination 5 of elements and arrangement of parts which will exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention be indicated in the claims.Briefly, the play enclosure for children according to this invention is a unitary flexible plastic structure comprising a relatively large, inflatable toroidal base whose central opening is filled with an inflatable floor. Extending from the 10 top of the base is an inflatable side wall structure which, when inflated, extends appreciably above the base so that the inflatable wall structure along with the inflatable floor define a relatively large internal space which can accommodate one or more children at play.
The side wall structure may be composed of a plurality of generally 15 triangular or trapezoidal wall panels whose side edges are connected togetherand whose bottom edges connect to the base so that the shape of the inflated side wall structure is more or less frustoconical or pyramidal. An access opening is provided in at least one of the wall panels, the opening being large enough for children to enter and leave the enclosure. Also, a transparent 20 window may be provided in one or more of the wall panels to allow light to illuminate the interior of the enclosure.
In one embodiment of the play enclosure, each wall panel is inflatable in its entirety. In a second embodiment of the invention, the side wall structure is composed of a plurality of elongated tubular inflatable frame members or poles, 25 with the adjacent frame members being connected by webs of flexible sheet material whose lower edges are also connected to the base so that when the frame members are inflated, the webs are stretched taut to form the wall panels of the upstanding side wall structure.
Also, if desired, an opening or a transparent window may be provided at 30 the top of the wall structure to form a skylight that allows additional light to reach the interior of the play enclosure.
219044~
The play enclosure can be erected simply by inflating the base, floor and side wall structure using one or more valves incorporated into the play enclosure for that purpose. When the play enclosure is inflated, children can enter the enclosure and bounce up and down on its resilient floor which 5 functions as a trampoline. They may also impact its resilient side wall structure without causing injury to the enclosure or to themselves. If desired, a multiplicity of small play balls may partially fill the enclosure to add to the children's enjoyment.
Preferably, the inflatable base and floor of the enclosure are dimensioned 10 such that when the enclosure is placed in water, it will float with one or more children aboard. This enables the enclosure to be used as a flotation toy in pools and the like.
With all of the above advantages, the present device should still be relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture using conventional sealing 15 techniques often employed to make inflatable rafts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in 20 connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing a children's play enclosure incorporating the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a second embodiment of the play 25 enclosure;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the FIG. 3 enclosure;
FIG. 5 is a plan view with parts broken away of that enclosure, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
21904~5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the play enclosure comprises an inflatable toroidal base 12 whose central opening 12a is filled by a radially compartmented inflatable floor 14. Mounted to the top of base 12 is an 5 inflatable side wall structure shown generally at 16. The illustrated enclosure is generally pyramidal when inflated. However, it could just as well have some other shape such as a dome.
Wall structure 16 is composed of a plurality of similar, generally trapezoidal panels 18. The side edges of adjacent panels 18 are connected 10 together along seam lines 22. The bottom edges of panels 18 are all connectedto the top of base 12 along outer and inner seam lines 24a and 24b; see FIG. 2.
A relatively large opening 26 is provided in one or more of the panels 18 to access the interior of the play enclosure. If desired, one or more of these openings may be covered by a transparent flexible plastic sheet 28 sealed to 15 the outside surface of the panel(s) 18 to form a closed window(s) as shown at the left side of FIG. 1.
The wall panels 18 of the FIG. 1 play enclosure are truncated in the sense that their upper ends do not join. This leaves an opening 30 at the top ofthe play enclosure which opening may, if desired, be closed by a transparent, 20 flexible plastic sheet 32 sealed to the tops of the wall panels to form a skylight.
The FIG. 1 play enclosure may be erected simply by inflating it through one or more air valves 34 provided in base 12, floor 14 and/or wall structure 16.
When erected, the enclosure constitutes a stable structure able to support the weight of one or more children on land or water. The children may enter and 25 leave the enclosure through the access opening(s) 26. When inside the enclosure, the children can play and frolic without any likelihood of causing injury to the enclosure or to themselves. The inflatable floor 14 of the enclosure, being highly resilient, functions as a trampoline so that the children ; - ~
can bounce up and down within the enclosure, adding to their enjoyment. As 30 shown in FIG. 1, a quantity of small play balls B may be provided within the 2~9n445 enclosure. Balls B will tend to remain at the bottom of the enclosure within theconfines of base 12 and floor 14.
Referring now to FIG. 2, base 12, floor 14 and wall structure 16 may be made substantially entirely of a suitable flexible plastic sheet material such as vinyl. The base 12 is simply a circular tube which may be inflated through an air valve 34 in the base. Typically, the base has an outer diameter of four to six feet and a cross section of one foot more or less. If desired, the base may be partitioned around its circumference so that its interior is divided into a plurality of compartments each of which may be inflated separately as is often done for inflatable rafts.
Preferably, the floor 14 of the play enclosure is radially compartmented so that it can be relatively thick and highly resilient. In the illustrated device, the floor has an outer toroidal compartment 42 whose outer diameter is more or less the same as the inner diameter of base 12, and a concentric inner toroidal compartment 44. There may be fluid communication between the two compartments through a passage 46 in their common wall. The central opening in the inner compartment 44 is preferably covered by a plastic sheet 48 so the upper surface of floor 14 is continuous. Preferably also, the two compartments 42 and 44 are shaped so that when the floor is inflated, the upper surface of the floor is dished as shown in FIG. 2. To provide drainage, a snap seal drain 52 may be provided in the sheet 48.
The floor 14 is connected to the interior wall of base 12 along a seam line 54. The floor may be inflated through an air valve 34 in the outer wall of compartment 42.
Still referring to FIG. 2, as noted above, the side wall structure 16 is composed of a plurality of similar wall panels 18. Each panel consists of an outer sheet 18a and an inner sheet 18b connected together along seam lines 22. The edges of the sheets 18a,18b around each window 26 are connected r~- ~
along seam lines 22a and 22b to the opposite edges of a plastic strip 55 which 30 forms a hoop around window 26. The edges of those sheets around opening 30 are connected along seam lines 22_. Typically, the wall panels 18 are in the 2l90445 order of 5 inches thick and extend up from base 12 so that the play enclosure has an overail height of 5 to 6 feet. The panels 18 may be inflated separately through an air valve 34 at the bottom of each panel. Alternatively, the interiors of the panels may be interconnected by air passages through the seams 22.
5 One such passage is shown at 56 at the left side of FIG. 2 near the top thereof.
Also, of course, openings may be provided in the top wall of base 12 to interconnect the interior of the base with the interior of one or more of panels18. One such opening is shown in phantom at 58 at the right side of FIG. 2.
The play enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be inflated by 10 inflating base 12, floor 14 and side wall structure 16 using the air valve(s) 34. If desired, the exterior surfaces of the base 12 and wall structure 16 may be appropriated colored or covered with designs so as to enhance the visual appeal of the enclosure. Alternatively, the wall structure 16 may be of a transparent plastic material to provide a "see-through" play enclosure.
Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. This enclosure has a toroidal base 62 similar to base 12 except that it has a smaller cross-sectional diameter. Filling the opening through base 12 is an inflatable f!oor 64 and extending up from base 62 is an inflatable wall structure 66. In this case, the wall structure 66 is composed of a plurality, 20 herein four, of elongated tubular inflatable poles 68. Each hole consists of outer and inner plastic strips joined at the edges by side seams 70. The lower ends ofpoles 68 are connected to the top of base 12 at equally spaced apart locations therearound by seam lines 72 which extend all around the bases of the poles so as to form fluid-tight connections thereat. The poles 68 curve toward one 25 another and their upper ends are connected together around a flat plastic sheet 74 so that the interiors of the poles are interconnected.
Extending between adjacent poles 68 is a generally triangular flexible plastic sheet or web 76. Each web 76 is connected to the adjacent poles at thef~side seams 70. The lower edges of sheets 76 are also secured to the top of 30 base 12 along seam lines 82 (FIG. 4). Thus, the poles 68 and intervening webs 21904~5 76 form inflatable wall panels which, when inflated, form a generally pyramidal enclosure extending appreciably above base 62.
The base 62 may be inflated through an appropriate air valve 86 shown at the left side of FIG. 3. A similar air valve 86 may be provided in one of the5 poles 68 also as shown there, in order to separately inflate wall structure 66.
Alternatively, an air passage may be provided from the interior of base 62 into the lower end of one of the poles 68 as shown in phantom at 88 at the right sideof FIG. 3 so that the base and wall structure can be inflated through a single air valve.
The plastic webs 76 of wall structure 66 may be transparent as shown or they may be opaque and covered with an appropriate design. In either case, an access opening 96 is provided in at least one of the webs 76 so that children can enter and leave the enclosure.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floor 64 of the FIG. 3 play enclosure 15 is somewhat different from the floor 14 described above in that it is not quite as thick and resilient as the latter floor. The floor 64 is composed of upper and lower flexible plastic sheets 64a and 64b which are connected together along concentric circular seam lines 102 to form a series of concentric toroidal compartments. Preferably, there is at least one break 104 in each seam line so 20 that the interiors of the compartments are interconnected. The outer edges ofthe sheets 64a and 64b are brought together and connected to the base 62 along a circular construction seam line 106 at the inside diameter of the base so that the floor 64 forms a unitary structure with base 62 and wall structure 66.
The floor 64 may be provided with its own air valve in order to inflate the floor.
25 Alternatively, one or more openings may be provided in the interior wall of base 62 so that the interior of the base and the outer compartment of floor 64 are influid communication. One such opening 108 is shown at the left side of FIG. 6.
This allows the floor 64 to be inflated along with base 62. ~
The play enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 has all of the advantages of 30 the one depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. It has an additional advantage in that it can be made at lower cost due to the designs of its floor and wall structure.
21~044S
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained. Also, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above 5 description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features described herein.
This invention relates to a play enclosure for children. It relates especially to a play enclosure which may contain a multiplicity of small balls in 5 which children can immerse themselves in play.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, play enclosures of the type with which we are concerned are tent-like structures having a floor, a solid or screened side wall extending up 10 from the floor and, perhaps, a top wall or roof for shielding the children from the elements. One or more access openings is provided in the side wall by which children can enter and leave the enclosure. An example of such a play enclosure is found in application Serial No. 291028,624, filed October 6, 1994, now patent While the above described tent-like play enclosures do provide a degree of entertainment for children, they have certain drawbacks. More particularly, like tents, they require a plurality of frame members for supporting the side wall and roof of the enclosure. These support members can become lost. Also, their required connections to the enclosure side wall and roof complicate the assembly or erection of the enclosure. Also, the prior enclosures of this type must be erected on a solid surface in order to be usable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a children's play enclosure which is easy to erect because it is a unitary structure which is inflatable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an enclosure of this type which is very safe to use because its floor and side wall structure are flexibleand quite resilient.
A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary play enclosure of this general type which can float on water.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a play enclosure which is relatively easy to manufacture using standard practices.
Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination 5 of elements and arrangement of parts which will exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention be indicated in the claims.Briefly, the play enclosure for children according to this invention is a unitary flexible plastic structure comprising a relatively large, inflatable toroidal base whose central opening is filled with an inflatable floor. Extending from the 10 top of the base is an inflatable side wall structure which, when inflated, extends appreciably above the base so that the inflatable wall structure along with the inflatable floor define a relatively large internal space which can accommodate one or more children at play.
The side wall structure may be composed of a plurality of generally 15 triangular or trapezoidal wall panels whose side edges are connected togetherand whose bottom edges connect to the base so that the shape of the inflated side wall structure is more or less frustoconical or pyramidal. An access opening is provided in at least one of the wall panels, the opening being large enough for children to enter and leave the enclosure. Also, a transparent 20 window may be provided in one or more of the wall panels to allow light to illuminate the interior of the enclosure.
In one embodiment of the play enclosure, each wall panel is inflatable in its entirety. In a second embodiment of the invention, the side wall structure is composed of a plurality of elongated tubular inflatable frame members or poles, 25 with the adjacent frame members being connected by webs of flexible sheet material whose lower edges are also connected to the base so that when the frame members are inflated, the webs are stretched taut to form the wall panels of the upstanding side wall structure.
Also, if desired, an opening or a transparent window may be provided at 30 the top of the wall structure to form a skylight that allows additional light to reach the interior of the play enclosure.
219044~
The play enclosure can be erected simply by inflating the base, floor and side wall structure using one or more valves incorporated into the play enclosure for that purpose. When the play enclosure is inflated, children can enter the enclosure and bounce up and down on its resilient floor which 5 functions as a trampoline. They may also impact its resilient side wall structure without causing injury to the enclosure or to themselves. If desired, a multiplicity of small play balls may partially fill the enclosure to add to the children's enjoyment.
Preferably, the inflatable base and floor of the enclosure are dimensioned 10 such that when the enclosure is placed in water, it will float with one or more children aboard. This enables the enclosure to be used as a flotation toy in pools and the like.
With all of the above advantages, the present device should still be relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture using conventional sealing 15 techniques often employed to make inflatable rafts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in 20 connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing a children's play enclosure incorporating the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a second embodiment of the play 25 enclosure;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the FIG. 3 enclosure;
FIG. 5 is a plan view with parts broken away of that enclosure, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
21904~5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the play enclosure comprises an inflatable toroidal base 12 whose central opening 12a is filled by a radially compartmented inflatable floor 14. Mounted to the top of base 12 is an 5 inflatable side wall structure shown generally at 16. The illustrated enclosure is generally pyramidal when inflated. However, it could just as well have some other shape such as a dome.
Wall structure 16 is composed of a plurality of similar, generally trapezoidal panels 18. The side edges of adjacent panels 18 are connected 10 together along seam lines 22. The bottom edges of panels 18 are all connectedto the top of base 12 along outer and inner seam lines 24a and 24b; see FIG. 2.
A relatively large opening 26 is provided in one or more of the panels 18 to access the interior of the play enclosure. If desired, one or more of these openings may be covered by a transparent flexible plastic sheet 28 sealed to 15 the outside surface of the panel(s) 18 to form a closed window(s) as shown at the left side of FIG. 1.
The wall panels 18 of the FIG. 1 play enclosure are truncated in the sense that their upper ends do not join. This leaves an opening 30 at the top ofthe play enclosure which opening may, if desired, be closed by a transparent, 20 flexible plastic sheet 32 sealed to the tops of the wall panels to form a skylight.
The FIG. 1 play enclosure may be erected simply by inflating it through one or more air valves 34 provided in base 12, floor 14 and/or wall structure 16.
When erected, the enclosure constitutes a stable structure able to support the weight of one or more children on land or water. The children may enter and 25 leave the enclosure through the access opening(s) 26. When inside the enclosure, the children can play and frolic without any likelihood of causing injury to the enclosure or to themselves. The inflatable floor 14 of the enclosure, being highly resilient, functions as a trampoline so that the children ; - ~
can bounce up and down within the enclosure, adding to their enjoyment. As 30 shown in FIG. 1, a quantity of small play balls B may be provided within the 2~9n445 enclosure. Balls B will tend to remain at the bottom of the enclosure within theconfines of base 12 and floor 14.
Referring now to FIG. 2, base 12, floor 14 and wall structure 16 may be made substantially entirely of a suitable flexible plastic sheet material such as vinyl. The base 12 is simply a circular tube which may be inflated through an air valve 34 in the base. Typically, the base has an outer diameter of four to six feet and a cross section of one foot more or less. If desired, the base may be partitioned around its circumference so that its interior is divided into a plurality of compartments each of which may be inflated separately as is often done for inflatable rafts.
Preferably, the floor 14 of the play enclosure is radially compartmented so that it can be relatively thick and highly resilient. In the illustrated device, the floor has an outer toroidal compartment 42 whose outer diameter is more or less the same as the inner diameter of base 12, and a concentric inner toroidal compartment 44. There may be fluid communication between the two compartments through a passage 46 in their common wall. The central opening in the inner compartment 44 is preferably covered by a plastic sheet 48 so the upper surface of floor 14 is continuous. Preferably also, the two compartments 42 and 44 are shaped so that when the floor is inflated, the upper surface of the floor is dished as shown in FIG. 2. To provide drainage, a snap seal drain 52 may be provided in the sheet 48.
The floor 14 is connected to the interior wall of base 12 along a seam line 54. The floor may be inflated through an air valve 34 in the outer wall of compartment 42.
Still referring to FIG. 2, as noted above, the side wall structure 16 is composed of a plurality of similar wall panels 18. Each panel consists of an outer sheet 18a and an inner sheet 18b connected together along seam lines 22. The edges of the sheets 18a,18b around each window 26 are connected r~- ~
along seam lines 22a and 22b to the opposite edges of a plastic strip 55 which 30 forms a hoop around window 26. The edges of those sheets around opening 30 are connected along seam lines 22_. Typically, the wall panels 18 are in the 2l90445 order of 5 inches thick and extend up from base 12 so that the play enclosure has an overail height of 5 to 6 feet. The panels 18 may be inflated separately through an air valve 34 at the bottom of each panel. Alternatively, the interiors of the panels may be interconnected by air passages through the seams 22.
5 One such passage is shown at 56 at the left side of FIG. 2 near the top thereof.
Also, of course, openings may be provided in the top wall of base 12 to interconnect the interior of the base with the interior of one or more of panels18. One such opening is shown in phantom at 58 at the right side of FIG. 2.
The play enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be inflated by 10 inflating base 12, floor 14 and side wall structure 16 using the air valve(s) 34. If desired, the exterior surfaces of the base 12 and wall structure 16 may be appropriated colored or covered with designs so as to enhance the visual appeal of the enclosure. Alternatively, the wall structure 16 may be of a transparent plastic material to provide a "see-through" play enclosure.
Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. This enclosure has a toroidal base 62 similar to base 12 except that it has a smaller cross-sectional diameter. Filling the opening through base 12 is an inflatable f!oor 64 and extending up from base 62 is an inflatable wall structure 66. In this case, the wall structure 66 is composed of a plurality, 20 herein four, of elongated tubular inflatable poles 68. Each hole consists of outer and inner plastic strips joined at the edges by side seams 70. The lower ends ofpoles 68 are connected to the top of base 12 at equally spaced apart locations therearound by seam lines 72 which extend all around the bases of the poles so as to form fluid-tight connections thereat. The poles 68 curve toward one 25 another and their upper ends are connected together around a flat plastic sheet 74 so that the interiors of the poles are interconnected.
Extending between adjacent poles 68 is a generally triangular flexible plastic sheet or web 76. Each web 76 is connected to the adjacent poles at thef~side seams 70. The lower edges of sheets 76 are also secured to the top of 30 base 12 along seam lines 82 (FIG. 4). Thus, the poles 68 and intervening webs 21904~5 76 form inflatable wall panels which, when inflated, form a generally pyramidal enclosure extending appreciably above base 62.
The base 62 may be inflated through an appropriate air valve 86 shown at the left side of FIG. 3. A similar air valve 86 may be provided in one of the5 poles 68 also as shown there, in order to separately inflate wall structure 66.
Alternatively, an air passage may be provided from the interior of base 62 into the lower end of one of the poles 68 as shown in phantom at 88 at the right sideof FIG. 3 so that the base and wall structure can be inflated through a single air valve.
The plastic webs 76 of wall structure 66 may be transparent as shown or they may be opaque and covered with an appropriate design. In either case, an access opening 96 is provided in at least one of the webs 76 so that children can enter and leave the enclosure.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the floor 64 of the FIG. 3 play enclosure 15 is somewhat different from the floor 14 described above in that it is not quite as thick and resilient as the latter floor. The floor 64 is composed of upper and lower flexible plastic sheets 64a and 64b which are connected together along concentric circular seam lines 102 to form a series of concentric toroidal compartments. Preferably, there is at least one break 104 in each seam line so 20 that the interiors of the compartments are interconnected. The outer edges ofthe sheets 64a and 64b are brought together and connected to the base 62 along a circular construction seam line 106 at the inside diameter of the base so that the floor 64 forms a unitary structure with base 62 and wall structure 66.
The floor 64 may be provided with its own air valve in order to inflate the floor.
25 Alternatively, one or more openings may be provided in the interior wall of base 62 so that the interior of the base and the outer compartment of floor 64 are influid communication. One such opening 108 is shown at the left side of FIG. 6.
This allows the floor 64 to be inflated along with base 62. ~
The play enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 has all of the advantages of 30 the one depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. It has an additional advantage in that it can be made at lower cost due to the designs of its floor and wall structure.
21~044S
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained. Also, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above 5 description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features described herein.
Claims (20)
1. A children's play enclosure comprising a hollow flexible inflatable base having a central opening; a hollow flexible inflatable floor filling said opening; a flexible inflatable side wall structure connected to the base, said side wall structure, when inflated, extending up an appreciable distance from the base; means defining at least one access opening in said side wall structure, and inflation means for inflating the base, floor and side wall structure.
2. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 wherein said base is substantially toroidal in shape.
3. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 wherein the interior of said floor is divided radially into a plurality of compartments.
4. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 3 wherein the upper surface of said floor is dished.
5. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 4 and further including a closable drain at or near the center of said floor.
6. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 and wherein said inflation means comprise an air valve into at least one of said base, floor and side wall structure.
7. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 6 and further including one or more air passages extending between the interiors of the base and side wall structure.
8. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 and further including means for connecting the floor to the base all around the floor.
9. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 wherein the side wall structure is of a transparent plastic material.
10. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 1 wherein the side wall structure comprises a plurality of similar wall panels connected together side to side and to the base to form a generally pyramidal interior space when the side wall structure is inflated.
11. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 10 wherein each wall panel is generally trapezoidal in shape and at least one of the wall panels has said access opening extending therethrough.
12. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 11 and further including a see-through opening in another of said wall panels.
13. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 12 wherein the see-through opening is a closed window.
14. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 12 wherein the see-through opening is another access opening.
15. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 10 and further including a window extending between and connected to the wall panels at the top of the side wall structure so as to form a skylight when the wall structure is inflated.
16. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 10 wherein the side wall structure comprises a plurality of elongated, flexible, tubular, inflatable poles, each pole having opposite ends; mounting means for mounting corresponding first ends of said poles to the base at spaced apart locations therearound; connection means for connecting corresponding second ends of the poles to each other; a flexible web extending between and connected to each pair of adjacent poles along substantially their entire lengths, each web also being connected to said base, and wherein said inflating means include valve means for inflating all of said poles.
17. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 16 wherein said access opening extends through one of said webs.
18. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 16 and further including passage means adjacent to the second ends of said poles for establishing fluid communication between the interiors of all of said poles.
19. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 16 wherein one or more of said webs is of a transparent plastic material.
20. The children's play enclosure defined in claim 16 and further including at least one passage extending between the interiors of said the and at least one of said poles.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US55882795A | 1995-11-16 | 1995-11-16 | |
| US08/558,827 | 1995-11-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2190445A1 true CA2190445A1 (en) | 1997-05-17 |
Family
ID=24231169
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2190445 Abandoned CA2190445A1 (en) | 1995-11-16 | 1996-11-15 | Children's inflatable play enclosure |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2190445A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2307173A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2325621B (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 2000-11-01 | Kay Sumner | Play frame |
| US6071174A (en) * | 1998-08-28 | 2000-06-06 | Yoon; Young W. | Portable child's amusement and educational center |
| US6168495B1 (en) | 1998-08-28 | 2001-01-02 | Young W. Yoon | Portable child's amusement and educational center and related articles |
| GB2480767A (en) * | 2010-05-26 | 2011-11-30 | Popinpod Ltd | Inflatable device for receiving an infant |
| FR3003740B1 (en) * | 2013-03-29 | 2015-09-04 | Li Hsen Plastics Co Ltd | INFLATABLE MODULAR BALL SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4000585A (en) * | 1975-04-07 | 1977-01-04 | Salvatore Denaro | Inflatable collapsible tent |
| US4000749A (en) * | 1975-05-30 | 1977-01-04 | Float | Isolation module |
| US4335545A (en) * | 1980-01-29 | 1982-06-22 | Couch James L | Inflatable tent |
| US4384435A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-05-24 | Polise Victor W | Inflatable tent |
| US4766918A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-08-30 | Aspen Enterprises, Inc. | Convertible, inflatable shelter apparatus |
| US5007212A (en) * | 1990-03-21 | 1991-04-16 | Monty Fritts | Inflatable shelter |
| US5291623A (en) * | 1992-09-03 | 1994-03-08 | Babystar | Inflatable crib |
| WO1994017266A1 (en) * | 1993-01-25 | 1994-08-04 | Hitoshi Tamaki | Inflatable shelter |
| GB2299268B (en) * | 1995-03-29 | 1998-08-26 | Mel Appel Limited | Play enclosure with inflatable base |
-
1996
- 1996-11-15 CA CA 2190445 patent/CA2190445A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-11-15 GB GB9623883A patent/GB2307173A/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9623883D0 (en) | 1997-01-08 |
| GB2307173A (en) | 1997-05-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 19991115 |