GB2124092A

GB2124092A - Apparatus for use in exercise and/or play and/or furnishing

Info

Publication number: GB2124092A
Application number: GB08221677A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ming-Chou Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-27
Filing date: 1982-07-27
Publication date: 1984-02-15

Abstract

The apparatus comprises one or more support members having a plurality of preformed cavities and associated with one or more channelled members, so as to be detachably interconnectable with one of a predetermined set of parts for forming a plurality of different assemblies. Different assemblies, such as a swing, a storage shelf, a see-saw, a slide or gymnastic bars, can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled using the same support members and various accessories. The support member(s) may be made up of sections interconnected by tenon joints. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in exercise and/or play and/or furnishing This invention relates to apparatus suitable for use in exercise and/or play and/or furnishing.

The conventional storage shelf is often a permanent assembly made from wood or iron, which cannot be disassembled and adapted for any other use.

According to this invention, I propose apparatus for use in exercise and/or play and/or furnising comprising one or more support members having a plurality of preformed cavities and associated with one or more channelled members, so as to be detachably interconnectable with one of a predetermined set of parts for forming a plurality of different assemblies.

The apparatus according to this invention can be easily assembled and disassembled, and it may be converted e.g. for a shelf for family use into recreation equipment for children, such as, a see-saw, a children's slide etc. It is versatile, having many possible functions and this saves material.

Furthermore, apparatus according to this invention can be quickly assembled and set up anywhere.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-section type of a heavy horizontal frame according to this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a multi-section type of a light-horizontal frame according to this invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a multi-section view of the main frame of this invention; Figure 4shows various parts for use in this invention; Figure 5 shows more parts for use in this invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a trapeze assembled using this invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a shelf assembled using this invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a see-saw assembled using this invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a children's slide assembled using this invention; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a horizontal bar with a parallel bars assembled using this invention.

As shown in Figure la, a longitudinal supporting rod (6) is centrally aligned in a first type of frame (5).

In use, the whole of the top surface of the frame (5) is covered with an iron sheet (7), (shown by broken line) and both ends of the frame (5) are provided with channelled member (18) of which the channel (19) is downwardly disposed. The first-type frame (5) may have a plurality of sub-sections as shown in Figures 1 b and Ic, wherein the sub-sections are assembled by means of tenon (24) detachably insertable into a square mortise (25).

As shown in Figure 2, both ends of a second-type of frame (3) are furnished with a channelled frame (18), downwardly-disposed. Several cross bars (4) are mounted between both sides of the frame and both sides of the frame (3) are also furnished with small screw holes (26). This second type-frame may have a plurality of sub-sections as shown in Figures 2b and 2c, assembled by a tenon (34) detachably insertably insertable into a square mortise (35).

As shown in Figure 3, there is a ladder-iike, third type of frame having a main frame (1) both sides of which are furnished with a given number of small holes (2) for mounting screws. At both ends of the main frame (1), a detachable piece (11) is furnished as shown in Figure 3b. Both ends of the detachable piece (11) have a square tenon (12) with a square through-mortise (13) which is used for detachably sleeving over a long wooden strip (14) of the main frame (1). The main frame (1) may also be designed with sub-sections e.g. a two-section type as shown in Figure 3c, being assembled with a tenon (44) detachably insertable into a square mortise (45).

Figure 4 shows some accessories for this invention. These include a triangular plate (51), a screw bolt (52), a nut (53), a fixing piece (54) and a set of base plates (55). On each base plate (55), a semicircular handrail (56), is mounted by means of a nut (57) beneath the plate. Side bars (58, 59) different lengths may be fixedly attached to the side of the main frame (1). The trapeze (60) consists of two chains (61), a long strip (62), and two locks rings (50) on the top ends of the chains (61).

As shown in Figure 5a, a square-U shaped frame (71) is furnished with small holes (72) at both ends for screws for fixedly attaching to the main frame (1).

Figure 5b shows the central frame (73) for a see-saw.

The base of the frame (73) is in a rectangular shape with a two-legged frame (74) for vertically standing in use between both sides of the frame to support a shaft (75), which is used for supporting the see-saw.

Figure Sc shows an essentially rectangular secondary frame (76) having curved ends. In the centre of the frame (76), a square plate (77) with four small holes (78) is attached. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an assembled trapeze in which one secondary frame (76) is attached to the bottom portion of each of two main frames (1) respectively for stabilizing the assembly. One of the first-type frames (5) is laid over the detachable piece (11) and is hence, horizontally disposed in use. Two strengthening side bars (58) are attached diagonally between the firsttype frame (5) and the main frames (1) respectively.

The trapeze (60) is hung on a cross bar (29) supported by a longitudinal supporting rod (6) in said heavy horizontal frame (5) with lock rings (50).

Figure 7 shows a storage shelf in which one first-type horizontally disposed frame (5) is hooked over the detachable pieces (11), between the bottom portions of two main frame (1) and one second-type horizontally disposed frame (3) is hooked over the detachable pieces (11) between the top portions of the two main frames (1). A secondary frame (76) may be attached along one long side of the first-type and second-type frames (5,3). The secondary frame may be disposed vertically or horizontally for preventing the articles on the shelf from falling off the shelf. In addition the heights of the first-type and second-type frames may be altered by adjusting the position of the detachable piece (11).

Figure 8 shows a see-saw in which a second-type frame (3) is horizontally-disposed stabilizing the whole system. The central frame (73) is fixedly attached by screws between the cross bars (4) in the centre of the base frame (3). One secondary frame (76) with two fixing plates (54) is attached to the square plate (77) by screws fixed into the small holes (78). The secondary frame (76) is pivotable on the main shaft (75) for see-saw motion. On the top surface of each of both ends of the secondary frame (76), two approximately semi-circular handrails (56) are furnished.

Figure 9 shows a children's slide in which two main frames (1) are set up slightly mutually obliquely. The frames (1) are fixed at the bottom and at the top with side bars (58, 59) respectively for stability. A wooden plate (63) is mounted across the top of both the main frames (1). The slide itself is made of a first-type frame (5) obliquely disposed to the main frame (1). The handrails of the slide are provided by two secondary frames (76) one fixed on each side of the main frame (1) by a triangular plate (51).

Figure 10 shows a set of gymnastic parallel bars, in which two main frames (1) are fixed together in a stable manner. Two secondary frames (76) are attached to the bottom ends of the main frames and one second-type frame (3) is horizontally disposed between the bottom ends of the main frame (1) with a channelled member (18) hooked over a detachable piece (11) at each end. On the top of the two main frames (1), two square-U shaped frames (71) are inserted into the mortises at the top of the main frames and are fixed with screws. This structure may be used as a horizontal bar or parallel bars.

This invention allows, therefore, a limited number of elemental members to be used in several different ways. The apparatus is highiy versatile and quick and easy to assemble and disassemble. Hence, the apparatus can be easily converted from one use to another e.g. from a storage shelf to a slide.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in exercise and/or a play and/orfurnishing comprising one or more support members having a plurality of preformed cavities and associated with one or more channelled members, so as to be detachably interconnectable with one of a predetermined set of parts for forming a plurality of different assemblies.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each support members has two elongate, mutually parallel side members, and one or more cross-piece are disposed transverse to and between the side members.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each support member has two elongate, mutually parallel side members, and one or more elongate members are disposed longitudinally, parallel to and between the side members.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each support member is made up of sub-sections interconnected by means of tenon joints.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each support member has one or more curved members at each end.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each support member has a plate having a plurality of cavities therein for interconnection.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, having members for strengthening the assembly.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of handrails is attachable thereto.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a seat is attachable thereto.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, interchangeable between a swing, a storage shelf, a see-saw, a slide and a set of gymnastic bars.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cavities are for housing screws.

12. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein decribed with reference to any of the drawings.

13. Apparatus for use in exercise and/or play and/or furnishing substantially as described herein.