EP1550492B1 - Play house for children - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden playhouse for children has four upright corner posts (1) each incorporating a longitudinal groove (2.1) on each face and linked at their base by transverse members (3.1). The structure has a saddle roof (4) with a central support (5) and a ladder (9) to a mid-level floor. The grooves provide the position reference and fixing support for push-fit covering slats and other modular fixtures.

Description

The invention relates to a playhouse for children. Such playhouses can be found in particular as a one- or multi-storey play and climbing houses on public children's playgrounds, in kindergartens or in private properties.

The well-known playhouses with pitched roofs or flat roofs and in the case of multi-storey with placed on crossmember intermediate floor are fixed in itself and offer the user no possibility of spatial design or the expansion.

Also known are single-storey playhouses for children (see Utility Model Docking G 9003494.5 and G 9320171.0), which can be constructed of elongated plug-in elements, which have at least in the vicinity of the end faces vertical Einschlitzungen in the long side.
However, these known plug-in elements are not suitable as a supplement to a cohesive frame and maintain their stability alone and exclusively in mating the plug-in elements themselves. In addition, they are limited to the combination with pure plug-in elements of the same type and can not be combined with other elements, such as plates, Flaps or rods, combine.

The invention is based on the problem of creating a one- or multi-storey playhouse, which is easy to set up, allows a variable design and an individual expansion and is arbitrarily expandable.

The problem is solved according to the main claim as follows:
The playhouse consists of a frame and outer and inner wall parts.
The frame is formed of four or more anchored in the ground at right angles to each other, provided with longitudinal square columns, which are connected at the bottom by cross connector with each other and formed in a conventional manner pointed, hipped or flat roof. The cross connectors have on the side facing away from the ground on a broken at certain intervals longitudinal groove.
The wall parts arise from a plurality of plug-in elements of different lengths, which have a uniform pitch. They are dimensionally so on each other adjusted so that they can be inserted into the existing of square columns and cross connectors frame and / or connected to each other at the same height by plugging. The plug-in elements have slots introduced in both longitudinal sides, which correspond to the interruptions of the slots in the transverse connectors. The width of the slots in the plug-in elements is little more than the strength of the plug-in elements and the depth of these slots is one quarter of the height of the plug-in elements.
In this way, a playhouse, which has a fixed frame that can be easily mounted and placed by adults and the outer and / or inner walls of children can be easily assembled / disassembled, which also door and window openings are feasible in a simple manner.
The advantage of the inventive playhouse is, in particular, that the children can make wall and interior fittings themselves, at any time changes are possible and thus the creativity of the children is required or is stimulated.
Another advantage is that by buying square columns and plug-in elements of different lengths at any time extensions or additions are possible.
The playhouse according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for kindergartens or as a private game device.
Further improvements of the playhouse arise from the dependent claims.
Thus, it is possible by the features of claim 2, to realize two- or multi-storey playhouses, which can then act as climbing houses.
To protect the children when mounting or playing in the upper floors from falling down, according to claim 3 horizontal or vertical protection strips are provided.
The features of claim 4, on the one hand provide a high stability of the frame in terms of safety for the children further, on the other hand is ensured by inserting the cross connector that the exact pitch for the plug-in elements used for the outer walls, is realized when building each another column is aligned by means of the cross connector on the already existing. Furthermore, the cross connector forms a level threshold, which is advantageous, for example, when building a door opening, because it offers less risk of tripping than a plug-in element.

By a circumferential deep groove flattening in the square columns is ensured according to claim 6 that can be added to an existing frame at any time easily more.
The feature of claim 5 ensures that the wall elements can be inserted to below the false floor or the roof.
Further claims allow an imaginative expansion of the playhouse.

The invention will be explained in more detail later by an embodiment.

Figur 1a

die Vorderansicht eines zweistöckigen Spielhauses mit Spitzdach

Figur 1b

die Seitenansicht eines zweistöckigen Spielhauses mit Spitzdach

Figur 2

eine der Vierkantsäulen für den Rahmen

Figur 3

zwei Querverbinder unterschiedlicher Höhe

Figur 4.1

ein Steckelement mit langem Anfangs- und Endmaß

Figur 4.2

ein Verbindungssteckelement

Figur 4.3

ein Steckelement mit kurzem Anfangs- und Endmaß

Figur 5.1

ein Steckelement mit Rundlöchern

Figur 5.2

ein Steckelement mit Langloch

Figur 5.3

ein Steckelement mit Querloch

Figur 6

eine Einbauplatte

Figur 7

eine schwenkbare Klappe

Figur 8

einen Rundstab

Figur 9

Steckverbinder für zwei und drei Steckelemente

Figur 10

einen Schnitt durch eine Mehrfachanlage

Show it:

FIG. 1a

The front view of a two-storey playhouse with a pointed roof

FIG. 1b

the side view of a two-story playhouse with a pitched roof

FIG. 2

one of the square columns for the frame

FIG. 3

two cross connectors of different heights

Figure 4.1

a plug-in element with a long initial and final dimensions

Figure 4.2

a connecting plug

Figure 4.3

a plug-in element with short initial and final dimensions

Figure 5.1

a plug-in element with round holes

Figure 5.2

a plug-in element with slot

Figure 5.3

a plug-in element with a transverse hole

FIG. 6

a mounting plate

FIG. 7

a hinged flap

FIG. 8

a round rod

FIG. 9

Connector for two and three plug-in elements

FIG. 10

a section through a multiple system

The FIGS. 1a and 1b The frame shown consists of four square columns 1, two flat cross connectors 3.1 and two high cross connectors 3.2 on the ground, square beams 8 at floor level with it laid planks boards for an intermediate floor. 7 . an intermediate column 5 in the two gable sides of the upper floor and a patch top 4.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show square column 1 and cross connector 3.1 or 3.2 in more detail.

When mounting the frame, the cross connectors are 3.1 or 3.2 with pins 10 with the side surface in which the groove is pointing upward, so placed on the ground that they form the edges of a square. In this case, two mutually perpendicular transverse connectors 3.1 and 3.2 are placed to each other so that measured from its end in the center of its groove from the imaginary lines intersect after half a thickness of the square columns 1. Here, the pins 10 of the cross connector 3 are placed on the ground already concreted in the cross section of the square columns corresponding base plates (not shown) so that their edges abut flush with the ends of the cross connector. Cross connectors of the same height 3.1 or 3.2 lie in the square parallel to each other.
The square columns 1 have on each side a groove 2.1, in storey height a groove-deep circumferential flattening 12 and including two deep groove Eckabplattungen 13, on diagonally opposite corners.
The square columns 1 are placed on the corner (cutting) points of the square so that they form-fittingly surround the pins 10 of the transverse connectors with their mortise holes 11. In this case, two adjacent columns 1 must each be rotated by 90 °, so that always faces a column with a Eckabplattung 13 of a column without flattening. The square columns are screwed to the base plates already embedded in the floor.

Between the square columns 1 more intermediate columns 5 can be placed in the grid, z. B. to limit slip widths or ladder widths. These intermediate columns correspond to the square columns 1, with the exception of the length, which is shorter but corresponds to at least one storey high.

In the further assembly process, the square beam 8 are inserted and screwed at the height of a floor in the corresponding lateral circumferential flattening of the square columns 1, for example, with M 10 - screws with flat cap nuts and corresponding washers, wherein the mutually parallel square beam 8 either both from the inside or both be attached to the square columns 1 from the outside so that they do not protrude beyond the square column in the region of their flattening at both ends.

On the level of the floor located square beam 8, the intermediate bottom 7 is applied by means of equal length planks, however, must end at the outer edges of the square columns 1 and may not overlap. Between the opposite square columns is a reduced by twice the area cross section of the square columns hallway.

On the floorboards are between the square columns 1 cross connector without pin 3.3 (possibly provided with frontal "spring" for insertion into the groove 2.1 of the square columns 1), screwed in the middle, again anlog to the lying on the ground cross connectors the higher, or lower lie parallel to each other.

At the upper end of the square columns 1, a roof can be applied, it being important to ensure that the access to the vertical grooves 2.1 remains free at the height of a distance of the height h of a full plug-in element.

To protect the children during the further expansion, protective strips (not shown) are fastened on the upper floor outside, horizontally between the square columns or vertically between square bars and roof construction.

The finished frame can now be expanded by the user (including children) according to his ideas, including plug-in elements and other accessories.
The Figures 4.1 to 4.3 show various embodiments of plug-in elements.

FIG. 1b shows the beginning of the expansion with long plug elements 6.2, shorter plug-in elements 6.1, a plug-in element with short start and end dimensions 6.4 and a half-high plug element 6.8.
The first long plug element 6.2 is in the groove 2.2 of the ground or in the illustrated case the FIG. 1b inserted on the intermediate bottom cross connector 3.3, so that the slots of the plug element engage in the groove interrupts located in the groove.
Laterally, the plug-in elements 6 can be inserted into the groove 2.1 of the square columns 1. Here, the Eckabplattung 13 of the square columns 1 to the fact that the long plug-in elements 6.2, the length of the clearance of the Square columns 1 plus two groove depths can be inserted there by being inserted at its one end into the groove 2.1 without flattening, at its other end in the groove 2.1 with Eckabplattung 13 and then pushed down. The located at the ends of these plug-in elements radius r serves to exclude tilting and allow diagonal insertion.
The shorter plug-in elements 6.1, the in FIG. 1b indicate the beginning of a window are connected to their unguided side by means of rectangular introduced connecting plug 6.3 with the long plug element 6.2 or with each other. Instead of the connecting elements 6.3 6.3 longer plug-in elements can be used to stabilize the outer wall, if that makes sense for the interior of the playhouse.

Due to the vertical offset between the mutually perpendicular transverse connectors 3 is possible to insert plug-in elements 6 after attaching the respective lowest plug-in element in both directions perpendicular to each other without these interfere with each other.

Because the sum of the depths of two slots corresponds to half the height h of the plug-in elements 6 according to FIGS. 4.x, and all plug-in elements have the same pitch a, which corresponds to that of the transverse connector 3, it is ensured that these plug-in elements are within the square columns 1, square bars 8 and cross connectors 3 existing frame, but also after "outside" in an extended, consisting of more than four square columns, etc. frame (see below) or even without this, can be linked together, with only upwards in The height of a floor lying square beam 8, and the roof 4 are limited. Also, if desired, the last long plug element 6.2 or 6.8 on the side on which the Eckabplattung 13 is located, by a connecting plug 6.3 according to FIG. 4 , 2 to connect with the underlying plug-in element to prevent folding there.
Likewise, due to the uniform grid size plug elements of any number of slots can be used to allow designs, windows, among others.
The Figures 5.1 to 5.3 show plug-in elements with special holes.
The FIGS. 6 to 8 show special installation elements.

In plug-in elements after FIG. 5 , 2 , in the area of which enlarged holes 15 are in the form of a circle with a connected cylinder, screened round bars 21, as in FIG FIG. 8 shown, are introduced so that in each case the all-round slot 22 is inserted into the cylinder and thus lateral slipping is prevented (eg., As a curtain rod).

The plug elements 6.7 after FIG. 5 , 3 , which have a longitudinal slot 16, allow the horizontal insertion of other plug-in elements.

The plug-in elements 6.5 after FIG. 5 , 1 and the connectors 23 and 24 after FIG. 9 , which have round holes 14, allow the insertion of the hole diameter corresponding to strong round bars or the connectors 23 and 24th

The plug elements 6.4 with short initial and final dimensions after FIG. 4 , 3 allow continuous juxtaposition in a row, eg in a cross connector.

Half height plug-in elements 18, which have over half a height h plus game and only on one side via slots, allow the screwing of plates 17, z. As table tops, etc., without these on the plug-in element, on which half the plug-in elements is engaged, gets up.
Half height plug-in elements without play 6.8 allow the production of a smooth, non-screened surface, as well as producing the same height of two mutually perpendicular plug-in elements or their required height offset, for example, when building a partition.

The flap 19 after FIG. 7 can due to the screwed round rod 20 between two laterally disposed of the flap, mutually parallel plug-in elements 6.5 with round holes 14 after FIG. 5 , 1 be inserted so that the protruding ends of the round rod 20 are inserted into the holes 14 of the plug-in elements.

The interior of the playhouse allows, depending on the imagination of the user, many variants. So it is quite possible with the different plug-in elements 6 and extension parts 17, 19, 21 benches, wardrobes, tables and the like. To realize more.
In the FIG. 9 shown connectors 23 and 24, which consist of a cylindrical part of length 2xd or 3xd and a diameter slightly smaller than the holes 14 of the plug elements 6.5, and a handle portion 25 with round hole 14 and a spring member 26 at the ends of the cylinder part, allow easy Connection of two or three superposed plug-in elements 6.5 with holes 14. The connection can be fixed or rotatable.
Of course, with the plug-in elements 6 and the accessories, depending on your creativity, additional equipment inside and outside of the playhouse can be built, such as cars, airplanes, windmills, etc.

FIG. 10 clarifies how the in FIG. 1a and 1b shown playhouse can be expanded as desired.
In FIG. 10 is a section through an expanded by three frames at least two-storey multiple system shown. The section is laid through the square beam 8 in storey height.
The base frame 27 corresponds to the frame according to FIGS. 1 , Evident are the four square columns 1.1 to 1.4 and the four square bars 8.1 to 8.4. The possibly already completed house with the frame 27, can be extended by setting two square columns 1.5 and 1.6, the attachment of three square beams 8.5 to 8.7 and corresponding cross connectors and planks (both not visible) to the frame 28.
The extension is easily possible because the circumferential flattening 12 in the square columns 1 allows unhindered attachment of the square beam 8. In the same way extensions around the frames 29 and 30 and other desired extensions in all four directions are possible.
It should only be noted that a playhouse with a roof structure will be added to a roofless playhouse without its modification.

reference numeral

1

Square column

2

groove

2.1

Groove in square column

2.2

Groove in cross connector

3

Cross connector with rastered groove

3.1

flat cross connector with pin

3.2

high cross connector with pin

3.3

High cross connector without pin, possibly with spring

4

top, roof

5

between column

6

plug-in element

6.1

shorter plug element

6.2

long plug-in element

6.3

Connect insertion element

6.4

Plug element with short start and final dimensions

6.5

Plug element with round holes

6.6

Plug element with extended round hole

6.7

Plug element with cross hole

6.8

half-height plug-in element

7

false floor

8th

Square carrier

9

ladder

10

spigot

11

mortise

12

circumferential flattening

13

Eckabplattung

14

round hole

15

extended round hole

16

transverse hole

17

mounting plate

18

half-height plug-in element plus play

19

flap

20

round bar

21

Round rod with all-round slots

22

all around running slot

23

Connector for two plug-in elements

24

Connector for three plug-in elements

25

handle part

26

spring part

27

output frame

28

first extension framework

29

second extension frame

30

third extension frame

a

Pitch

d

Thickness of the plug-in elements

H

Height of the plug-in elements

n

Depth of the groove in the square column

r

Radius at the end of the long plug-in element

Claims (13)

1. A children's playhouse, consisting of a stable frame and wall sections,
   characterized in that
   the frame consists of four or more ground-anchored square posts (1), arranged at right angles to one another and provided with longitudinal grooves (2.1), which are connected together at their base by means of transverse connectors (3.1; 3.2), and a pitched, hipped or flat roof (4) attached thereto in the usual way, wherein the transverse connectors have a longitudinal groove (2.2) interrupted at specific equal intervals (a) on the side facing away from the base, wherein the spacing to the intervals (a) defines a grid and the wall sections consist of a plurality of push-fit elements (6) of different lengths which are dimensionally coordinated to one another such that they can be inserted into the frame consisting of the square posts (1) and transverse connectors (3) and/or connected to one another by plugging together at the same height and that the push-fit elements positioned in the grid (a) have opposite slots on both longitudinal sides which correspond to the slot interruptions in the transverse connectors, wherein the width of the slot in the push-fit elements is slightly greater than the thickness (d) of said push-fit element and the depth of said slots amounts to one-fourth of the height (h) of said push-fit element and the first slot is arranged such that for push-fit elements having a longer beginning and final dimension which are to be inserted between the posts (1)(5), one grid (a) of slot center to cross-sectional center of the square posts (1)(5) results and for push-fit elements having a shorter beginning and final dimension, the slot center to push-fit element end amounts to no more than half of grid (a).
2. The children's playhouse according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the square posts (1) are connected to one another at floor height by square supports (8) situated in circumferential flattened sections (12) at the groove depth of the square posts (1), that floorboards (7) are fixed to said square supports, that additional square posts (5) are fixed as needed in the floors at floor height between the square posts (1) of the frame, wherein all the square posts exhibit the same cross-sectional profile and that transverse connectors (3.3) are seated into position without pegs on the floorboards (7) between the square posts of the frame (1) or between the additional square posts (5) fit in the floors or between same and the square posts of the frame which likewise exhibit a longitudinal groove interrupted at specific intervals on their upper sides which is dimensionally coordinated to the longitudinal groove of the transverse connectors (3.1 or 3.2) at the base of the frame.
3. The children's playhouse according to claim 2,
   characterized in that
   protective strips are externally affixed horizontally between the square posts (1) or vertically between the square supports (8) or between the square supports and the roof structure in the upper one or more floors.
4. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the transverse connectors (3) have pegs (10) on their ends which can be inserted into holes (11) in the square posts, that the square posts (1) rest on and are bolted to a concrete-encased base plate set into the ground, and that the remaining elements of the frame are bolted to one another.
5. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the square posts (1) have two diagonally-opposite half-sided flattened corner sections (13) which are slightly higher than the height (h) of a push-fit element at groove depth directly below the false floor (7) for the floors or below the roof.
6. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the square posts have a circumferential flattened side section (12) at groove depth at the height of the square supports (8).
7. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   round rods (21) are provided having fully circumferential slots (22) corresponding to the grid at least prior to their ends and that all or some of the push-fit elements have centrally-situated round holes (14) or oblong holes (15) or holes of another geometry, e.g. transverse holes (16), in front of or between the slots, the area of which is slightly larger than the cross-section of the push-fit elements (d x h).
8. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   push-fit elements (6.1 to 6.8) of the same width (d) but of differing heights and differing lengths are provided, wherein the length amounts to a grid (a) or a multiple of the grid (a) plus a slot width and a long or short beginning and final dimension.
9. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   push-fit elements having a long beginning and final dimension, the length of which corresponds to the spacing of the vertical square posts (1)(5) plus two groove depths, exhibit a radius (r) at the face sides.
10. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    push-fit elements of half height (h) are provided with slots on only one side.
11. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that
    plates (17) are provided from the underside of which protrude two parallelly-arranged push-fit elements of half height plus play (18).
12. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that
    flaps (19) are provided, the width of which corresponds to a multiple of the grid (a) less an ample slot width (d) for the push-fit elements.
13. The children's playhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that
    plug-fit connectors (23, 24) are provided, consisting of a cylindrical portion of the length of two or three widths (d) of the push-fit element as well as a grip element (25) having a round hole (14) and a spring element (26) on the opposite side.

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