GB1571153A

GB1571153A - Building elements for children's play houses

Info

Publication number: GB1571153A
Application number: GB18979/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-05-06
Filing date: 1977-05-05
Publication date: 1980-07-09
Also published as: DK188577A; NL7704913A; BE853983A; DE2620027C2; CH621844A5; SE7705118L; DE2620027B1; ATA272977A; FR2350122A1; AT351213B

Abstract

In order to increase the versatility without adding to the number of structural elements, the length of the beam heads (18) formed by the cutouts is twice the width of the beams. In the regions arranged above the corner assemblies, the roof elements have, as do the beam heads (18), in each case two bores (16, 17). The roof elements (5) are formed by triangular frames (4) which can be screwed to one another and have frame legs which are of different length and are connected at right angles. The length of the long frame leg (41) corresponds to half the length of a ground-plan diagonal of a small building with wall lengths defined by the length of a beam in each case. As a result, both gable roofs and pointed roofs can be formed. The two bores (16, 17) are arranged in the ends, remote from the right angle, of the frame legs (41, 42) such that they are perpendicular to the latter in each case. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) BUILDING ELEMENTS FOR CHILDRENS' PLAY HOUSES (71) I, HERBERT FREUDENREICH, of Bellscheidtstrasse 1, D-4000 Dusseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to building elements and buildings, particularly play houses for children.

In prior proposed play houses for children, or, as they are more commonly called, Wendy houses, the houses are assembled from elongate wall members which are often made of wood, the wall members commonly having a rectangular cross-section and being halved at the ends to form halvingjoints. Each halved end has a single bore to receive a connecting rod to interconnect the wall members.

With such prior proposed wall members, the variety of buildings which may be constructed therewith is very limited.

According to the present invention, there are provided building elements, comprising elongate members each having a walldefining portion and a halved end portion providing a rectangular step comprising at least two squares each of side equal to the lateral dimension of the halved end portion, and holes for connectors one through the centre of each square.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a building having mutually adjacent walls comprised of building elements as aforesaid, the elongate members of one wall having their halved end portions interleaved with those of the members of the other wall, the members being interconnected by a connector extending through each of the innermost of the holes in each of the said end portions.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a building having mutually adjacent walls comprised of building elements as aforesaid, the elongate members of one wall having their halved end portions interleaved with those of the members of the other wall, the members being interconnected by a connector extending through each of the outermost of the holes in each of the said end portions.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of an assembled Wendy house with a gable-roof; Figure 2 is a partly exploded and partly cut-away perspective view of a number of wall members secured together by connecting rods and pieces of dowelling; Figure 3 is a gable-roof support element formed from two triangular gable-roof support members; Figure 4 is a top plan view of Figure 3 with the ridge member removed; Figure 5 is an alternative gable-roof support element formed from the two triangular gable-roof support members shown in Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a top plan view of Figure 5 with the ridge member removed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows part of a simple Wendy house which is rectangular in plan and has a gableroof. The walls of the Wendy house are formed from elongate wooden wall members 1, 2 which are rectangular in cross-section.

The wall members 1 each have a halved end portion 18 at each end thereof, each halving being formed by removing from one corner of the wall member, a rectangular portion of wood, the longitudinal dimension of which is equal to twice the lateral dimension of the wall member, and the depth of which is equal to half the depth of the wall member. Thus, each halving provides a rectangular step comprising two squares each of side equal to the lateral dimension of the wall member.

Each halving 18 has inner and outer holes 16 17 respectively formed therein through the centres of said squares.

The wall members 2 are similar to the wall members 1 but are shorter and are only provided at one end with a halving 18. Such wall members 2 are suitable for forming part of a wall in which it is desired to define a window or door.

As may be seen from Figure 2 the wall members are also provided with a number of blind bores or sockets 15 which are parallel with the holes 16, 17 but which are of smaller diameter. The sockets 15 are formed in both the top and bottom edges of the wall members.

In constructing the walls of the Wendy house, four wall members 1 are positioned with the halved portions interengaged to form a rectangular base frame. The holes 16 of the two interengaged halved portions at each corner of the rectangular base frame are coaxially alinged and four corner connecting rods 10 are inserted, one into each pair of coaxial holes 16 at each corner of the base frame. The connecting rods 10 extend vertically upwardly. Further wall members are threaded onto the connecting rods and moved downwardly to abut the next lower wall member and in this manner the walls forming the Wendy house are constructed. As may clearly be seen from Figure 1, where it is desired to define a door or window a series of wall members 2 are utilised rather than the wall members 1.Short pieces of dowelling 14 are inserted into the sockets 15 as the walls are being constructed, the pieces of dowelling - extending from the sockets 15 of one wall member and locating in corresponding sockets 15 in the next adjacent upper or lower wall member (See Figure 2).

The Wendy house is provided with a gable-roof. The gable-roof includes a roof support element or gable 5 at each end, roof panels 7, 8 extending between the roof supporting elements, and a ridge member 6.

The roof supporting elements 5 each comprise two right triangular roof supporting members 4, each supporting member 4 having a longer side portion 41, a shorter side portion 42 and an hypotenuse portion defining a triangular aperture. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, two triangular roof supporting members 4 are positioned with their longer side portions 41 adjacent one another, the two roof supporting members 4 being secured together by means of cross bolts 11 which pass through coaxially aligned apertures in each of the two adjacent roof support members 4. The roof support members 4 are also provided with holes or bores 16, 17 which are arranged to slide over the connecting rods 10 thereby to locate the roof supporting elements 5 relative to the walls of the Wendy house.In order firmly to secure the roof supporting elements 5 to the walls of the Wendy house, the connecting rods 10 may take the form of elongate bolts having screw threaded ends to which nuts may be fastened.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be apparent that the roof supporting members may be joined by their shorter side portions 42 to form a roof supporting element 5 having an alternative configuration to that shown in Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figures 5 and 6 the roof supporting members forming a roof supporting element 5 may be spaced from one another. Bores are formed in the shorter side portions 42 of the roof supporting members 4, these bores being able to be co-aligned to facilitate the jointing together of two such members by means of cross bolts 11 or the like in the manner shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Further bores 16, 17 are provided in the roof supporting members 4 to enable a roof supporting element 5 of this type to be slidden over the connecting rods 10 to enable the roof supporting element 5 to be secured to the walls of a Wendy house.

A series of holes is provided along the hypotenuse side portion of each roof sup porting member 4 to facilitate the attachment of roof panels 7 and 8 thereto. A ridge member 6 completes the roof structure of the Wendy house.

Referring now to Figure 2 it can be seen that the halving joint described above in relation to the Wendy house shown in Figure 1 can be utilised to enable wall members extending in up to four different directions to be secured to one another by means of up to four connecting rods 10 (two only of which are shown in Figure 2). By this means a number of separate structures or Wendy houses may be connected together for example in a row, and if desired houses may be constructed with internal walls definining a number of rooms.

If wall members are secured together by means of connecting rods 10 passing through only coaxially aligned outer ones 17 of the two holes in each shoulder portion of the wall members then it is possible to construct polygonal structures or Wendy houses in which the walls are disposed at obtuse or acute angles to one another.

It will be appreciated that the members for forming the structures discussed above could be made from wood or plastics materials or any other suitable material. It will also bc appreciated that the form of construction described above is not restricted to children's play houses, but could be employed in constructing simple structures for use, for example, as chicken huts, garden huts and other buildings.

It is envisaged that the component members described above will be sold in kits of parts suitable for forming one or a variety of structures. It is also envisaged that single members will be sold to extend the range of structures which may be built from a particu lar kit of parts, or to replace broken parts.

WHAT I-CLAIM IS: 1. Building elements, comprising elongate

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Claims

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provided at one end with a halving 18. Such wall members 2 are suitable for forming part of a wall in which it is desired to define a window or door.

As may be seen from Figure 2 the wall members are also provided with a number of blind bores or sockets 15 which are parallel with the holes 16, 17 but which are of smaller diameter. The sockets 15 are formed in both the top and bottom edges of the wall members.

In constructing the walls of the Wendy house, four wall members 1 are positioned with the halved portions interengaged to form a rectangular base frame. The holes 16 of the two interengaged halved portions at each corner of the rectangular base frame are coaxially alinged and four corner connecting rods 10 are inserted, one into each pair of coaxial holes 16 at each corner of the base frame. The connecting rods 10 extend vertically upwardly. Further wall members are threaded onto the connecting rods and moved downwardly to abut the next lower wall member and in this manner the walls forming the Wendy house are constructed. As may clearly be seen from Figure 1, where it is desired to define a door or window a series of wall members 2 are utilised rather than the wall members 1.Short pieces of dowelling 14 are inserted into the sockets 15 as the walls are being constructed, the pieces of dowelling - extending from the sockets 15 of one wall member and locating in corresponding sockets 15 in the next adjacent upper or lower wall member (See Figure 2).

The Wendy house is provided with a gable-roof. The gable-roof includes a roof support element or gable 5 at each end, roof panels 7, 8 extending between the roof supporting elements, and a ridge member 6.

The roof supporting elements 5 each comprise two right triangular roof supporting members 4, each supporting member 4 having a longer side portion 41, a shorter side portion 42 and an hypotenuse portion defining a triangular aperture. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, two triangular roof supporting members 4 are positioned with their longer side portions 41 adjacent one another, the two roof supporting members 4 being secured together by means of cross bolts 11 which pass through coaxially aligned apertures in each of the two adjacent roof support members 4. The roof support members 4 are also provided with holes or bores 16, 17 which are arranged to slide over the connecting rods 10 thereby to locate the roof supporting elements 5 relative to the walls of the Wendy house.In order firmly to secure the roof supporting elements 5 to the walls of the Wendy house, the connecting rods 10 may take the form of elongate bolts having screw threaded ends to which nuts may be fastened.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be apparent that the roof supporting members may be joined by their shorter side portions

42 to form a roof supporting element 5 having an alternative configuration to that shown in Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figures 5 and 6 the roof supporting members forming a roof supporting element 5 may be spaced from one another. Bores are formed in the shorter side portions 42 of the roof supporting members 4, these bores being able to be co-aligned to facilitate the jointing together of two such members by means of cross bolts 11 or the like in the manner shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Further bores 16, 17 are provided in the roof supporting members 4 to enable a roof supporting element 5 of this type to be slidden over the connecting rods 10 to enable the roof supporting element 5 to be secured to the walls of a Wendy house.

A series of holes is provided along the hypotenuse side portion of each roof sup porting member 4 to facilitate the attachment of roof panels 7 and 8 thereto. A ridge member 6 completes the roof structure of the Wendy house.

Referring now to Figure 2 it can be seen that the halving joint described above in relation to the Wendy house shown in Figure 1 can be utilised to enable wall members extending in up to four different directions to be secured to one another by means of up to four connecting rods 10 (two only of which are shown in Figure 2). By this means a number of separate structures or Wendy houses may be connected together for example in a row, and if desired houses may be constructed with internal walls definining a number of rooms.

If wall members are secured together by means of connecting rods 10 passing through only coaxially aligned outer ones 17 of the two holes in each shoulder portion of the wall members then it is possible to construct polygonal structures or Wendy houses in which the walls are disposed at obtuse or acute angles to one another.

It will be appreciated that the members for forming the structures discussed above could be made from wood or plastics materials or any other suitable material. It will also bc appreciated that the form of construction described above is not restricted to children's play houses, but could be employed in constructing simple structures for use, for example, as chicken huts, garden huts and other buildings.

It is envisaged that the component members described above will be sold in kits of parts suitable for forming one or a variety of structures. It is also envisaged that single members will be sold to extend the range of structures which may be built from a particu lar kit of parts, or to replace broken parts.

WHAT I-CLAIM IS: 1. Building elements, comprising elongate

members each having a wall-defining portion and a halved end portion providing a rectangular step comprising at least two squares each of side equal to the lateral dimension of the halved end portion, and holes for connectors one through the centre of each square.
2. Building elements according to claim 1, each elongate member being of rectangular cross section.
3. Building elements according to claim 1 or 2, the elongate members having respective sockets positioned for mutual registration when the members are arranged to form a wall, whereby dowels may be accommodated in said sockets to locate the members relative to. one another.
4. Building elements according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising mutually similar roof support frames each of right triangular configuration and having unequal sides adjacent the right angle, said frames being adapted for fastening together in pairs with the shorter of said sides together and with the longer of said sides together, each frame having at the corners opposite said sides holes for connectors corresponding with the holes in the elongate members.
5. A building having mutually adjacent walls comprised of building elements according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the elongate members of one wall having their halved end portions interleaved with those of the members of the other wall, the members being interconnected by a connector extending through each of the innermost of the holes in each of the said end portions.
6. A building having mutually adjacent walls comprised of building elements according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the elongate members of one wall having their halved end portions interleaved with those of the members of the other wall, the members being interconnected by a connector extending through each of the outermost of the holes in each of the said end portions.
7. A building according to claim 5 or 6, incorporating roof support frames according to claim 4.
8. Building elements, comprising elongate members each having a wall defining portion and a halved end portion, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
9. Building elements according to claim 8, comprising roof support frames substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A building substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.