GB2352404A

GB2352404A - Child's theatre

Info

Publication number: GB2352404A
Application number: GB9917333A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anna Maria Donfrancesco
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-23
Filing date: 1999-07-23
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-23
Also published as: GB9917333D0; GB2352404B

Abstract

A child's portable theatre comprises a plurality of elongate structural members 1-19 and a plurality of joints 20-31 adapted for the temporary connection of the elongate structural members together to form a frame which when in use and placed in the corner of a room defines two substantially vertical perpendicular planes which can be positioned substantially parallel to the walls of the room, the frame further defining an opening 4, 16, 5 across which a curtain can be hung, said opening forming a reflex angle with both of said walls of the room. The elongate structural elements may be tubes which locate within the connectors or over the connectors. Alternatively, the elongate structural elements may be solid rods which locate within the connectors. The theatre may include elongate members 18 and 19 for hanging backdrops and the like within the theatre. When not in use the theatre can be dismantled and stored in a relatively small space.

Description

2352404 1- PQrtable Theatres This invention concerns portable theatres and

in particular such theatres for children to use in the home.

Improvised theatres for use by children can be made, for example, by hanging curtains from a pole placed across the corner of a room. There are disadvantages in this because a suitable pole is not necessarily available, and means for securing the ends of the pole are required necessitating, for example, the insertion of hooks into the wall. The latter is undesirable not only because of the damage caused to room decorations, but also because of the inflexibility of being unable to move the "theatre" unless further fixing means are provided elsewhere in the house. In addition, it would be impossible for a child to use the theatre to a friend's house.

In addition to the problems with the pole, the curtains themselves present difficulties in that suitable lengths of cloth are not necessarily available, and, even if they are, it can be difficult to open and close them. The lack of realism can as a result inhibit a child's imagination when using such an improvised theatre.

According to the present invention there is provided a child' s theatre comprising a plurality of elongate structural members and a plurality of joints adapted for the temporary connection of the elongate structural members together to form a frame which when in use and placed in the corner of a room defines two substantially vertical perpendicular planes which can be positioned substantially parallel to the walls of the room, the frame further defining an opening across which a curtain can be hung, said opening forming a reflex angle with both of said walls of the room.

Theatres in accordance with the present invention preferably include means for hanging backdrops and the like within the theatre.

The elongate structural members can take a number of different forms, as can the connectors used to form temporary connections between the various structural members. For example, they can be tubes which locate within the said connectors to form the temporary connections. Alternatively, the elongate structural members can be tubes, with the connectors forming the temporary connections being plugged into the ends of the tubes. A further possibility is for the elongate structural members to be in the form of substantially solid rods or poles, with the connectors forming said temporary connections then being plugged into the structural members.

An embodiment of child's theatre in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled frame from the front; Fig. 2 is a view of the assembled f rame f rom one side; Fig. 3 is plan view of the assembled frame; and Fig. 4 is a view of the assembled frame from the rear.

The frame shown in the drawings consists of a number of tubes of different lengths, which act as structural elements of the finished theatre, these tubes being connected by a variety shapes of connectors.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the completed frame consists of a vertical back tube 1 connected by two identical angled "'T" connectors 20 and 23 which in turn are each connected to two pairs of horizontal tubes 11, 12, and 6, 7, one of each pair of tubes extending substantially perpendicularly to the other member of the pair.

Two pairs of identical angled "T" connectors 21 and 24, and 22 and 25, connect two vertical tubes 2 and 3 to the horizontal tubes 6 and 11, and 7 and 12, respectively, to define two substantially vertical walls which form the rear of the theatre which in use will normally be placed into the corner of a room.

Four further identical tubes 8, 9, 10 and 13 located in the connectors 24, 25, 21 and 22, respectively, extend substantially horizontally but also substantially parallel to each other to form a substantially rectangular space in from the of the triangular space formed by the substantially vertical wals referred to above.

The front of the theatre is defined by a rectangular frame formed from two vertical tubes 4 and 5, each of which being located in a right angled connector 26 and 27 which is also connected to the lower horizontal tubes 10 and 13. The upper ends of the tubes 4 and 5 are each located in one of two four-way connectors 28 and 29, one end of each of the horiziontal tubes 8 and 9 also being located in these connectors. The ends of a horizontal tube 16 are also located in the connectors 28 and 29, thereby framing the front of the theatre.

Two substantially vertical tubes 14 and 15 extend upwardly from the connectors 28 and 29 respectively, and they are connected by a horizontal tube 17 having a right angled connector 30 and 31 at each end.

Two further tubes 18 and 19 having hooked end portions are positioned over the horizontal poles 8 and 9, and 6 and 7, respectively, and they can be used to hang scenery, a backdrop and the like within the thratre.

A curtain or curtains can be provided for the front of the theatre which hang from the tube 16, for example on rings threaded on to the tube 16. In addition, a suitably shaped cloth or cloths can be hung from the rest of the frame to obscure the view of the interior of the theatre from directions other than from the front.

A cloth banner or the like can also be hung from the tube 17, for example giving the name of the theatre.

Although the illustrated theatre has been described using tubes which are inserted into suitably shaped tubular connectors, it will be appreciated that the tubes can be replaced by rods. Furthermore, if tubes are used, the connectors can themselves be inserted into the ends of the tubes to effect the necessary connections, and in this case the connectors can still be tubular or that can be solid.

As will be appreciated, when not in use the theatre described with reference to the accompanying drawings can be dismantled and stored in a relatively small space, complete with curtains and other fittings. Reassembly is then a relatively simple matter of fitting the various parts together.

Claims

1. A child's theatre comprising a plurality of elongate structural members and a plurality of joints adapted for the temporary connection of the elongate structural members together to form a frame which when in use and placed in the corner of a room defines two substantially vertical perpendicular planes which can be positioned substantially parallel to the walls of the room, the frame further defining an opening across which a curtain can be hung, said opening forming a reflex angle with both of said walls of the room.

2. A theatre according to claim 1, including means for hanging backdrops and the like within the theatre.

3. A theatre according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate structural members comprise tubes which locate within the said connectors to form said temporary connections.

4. A theatre according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongate structural members comprise tubes and the connectors form said temporary connections by being plugged into the ends of the tubes.

5. A theatre according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongate structural members comprise substantially solid rods or poles and the connectors form said temporary connections bg having the structural members plugged into them.

6. A child's theatre substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.