US20230064959A1

US20230064959A1 - Multi structural expandable and collapsible imaginary play Matt with automatic articulating mechanism to expand structures

Info

Publication number: US20230064959A1
Application number: US17/463,536
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason A Amadori
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2021-08-31
Publication date: 2023-03-02

Abstract

A multi system of structures is disclosed that is readily collapsible and rolled into flat package which can be readily stored in a closet, backpack, or carried. When desired to be set up you roll out a mat. The automatic spring hinges detach and the multi structure system expands ready for imaginary play with small toys or figures. The structures comprise of a canvas like membrane structures with pre-installed spring hinges and levers the canvas structures are mounted to the spring hinges that inherent tension in the spring hinge combined with levers automatically expand the structures into a fully erect positions. The structures can be moved around on the mat with hook and loop fasteners on the bottom of the structures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to imaginary play collapsible/expandable structures and or play mat.

Background

The presented disclosures relates to an imaginary play mat for small toys or figurines with expandable structures. For enthusiasts of imaginary play It can be cumbersome and time-consuming to set up constructing traditional structures for imaginary play. Structures can take a good amount of storage to store that are traditionally made of either plastic or metal this is a space consuming material for storage. Traditional imaginary play mats that have three dimensional structures printed on the mat, giving an illusion of three dimensional imaginary play structures. If there is in fact a three dimensional structure that is incorporated into the imaginary play-mat with the printed three dimensional structures on the mat, there is still assembly involved to build the structures. By snapping or clicking together In a way to erected and or to collapse the structures this can be cumbersome and time-consuming. You need to use mechanisms and snaps to build or to break them down for collapsing.
This invention gives imaginary play individuals a more enjoyable and relatively inexpensive recreational indulge of imaginary family play experience. Imaginary play enthusiasts do not have to pre assemble or snap anything together. The structures have an automatic mechanism that when you roll out the mat. The structures actually pop up, similar to what you could see in a pop-up book when opening it the structures expand. An imaginary player can begin instantaneously saving time by simply rolling out the mat for play. These structures on the play mat can be moved around and positioned in various spots on the mat with a hook and loop fasteners, enhancing the players imaginary play. When play time has concluded the structures can be easily collapsed and rolled back into the mat for storage in a very thin flat pliable piece of mat, that does not take much storage space.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and expandable imaginary play area. Consisting of multiple expandable structures constructed of a canvas like membrane that have four corners and need no prior construction or assembly. When you simply roll out the pliable mat that is of a fiber membrane with four corners. The structures with four corners have a front wall member that have slots for one half of a scissor spring articulating mechanisms lever to be stitched or glued into place, and two slots on the bottom side wall members for the other half lever of the scissor spring articulating mechanisms to be stitched or glued into place. When this mat is unrolled from storage the spring articulating mechanisms allow the four corner canvas like membrane structures to automatically fully expand. Once the mat is fully rolled out the structures can be moved around for imaginary play by detaching it with a hook and loop fiber fastener that is adhered to the bottom one of the spring articulating mechanism levers. The imaginary play structures have three walls and roof, they have an open back to allow imaginary play with the structures. The canvas like edges and roof have additional support with a foam like membrane stitched into the canvas like fabric membrane for structural support. When play is concluded storing the canvas like structures then can be easily collapsed flat. In the correct manner can be easily laid down on the pliable mat. The mat then can be rolled up for easy storage and ease of transportation of the mat for play. This creates a substantially thin rolled package that can be readily stored in a closet, backpack, or for easy transportation. The invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the invention. Presented below references to the accompanying drawings, in which.

FIG. 1 . Is a perspective view of this multi structure's position on the mat. That embody the expanded structures when the mat is fully rolled out for imaginary play.

FIG. 2 . Is a back perspective of the structures on the play mat. These structures have three sides and a roof. There is no bottom to the structures or back. You also see the spring articulating mechanism that allows the structures to expand within seconds, allowing for easy accessible imaginary play.

FIG. 3 . Is a segmented exploded view showing different materials used to give support to the canvas like membrane structures with additional foam like membrane. How the spring articulating mechanisms are attached to the canvas like membrane of the structure and how the structures are attached to the pliable mat with a hook and loop fastener on which provide support and sturdiness to the play structures to be collapsed and expanded with ease.

FIG. 4 . Is an example of concluding the imaginary play for storage. By collapsing the canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms being compressed flat and positioned in a way that the mat can be rolled up easily within seconds for storage and transportation.

FIG. 5 Is continuation of an example of concluding the imaginary play for storage. By collapsing the canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms being compressed flat and positioned in a way that the mat can be rolled up easily within seconds for storage and transportation.

FIG. 6 . Is a view of the pliable mat fully rolled up with the canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms being compressed flat inside the pliable mat ready for storage or to be transported for imaginary play elsewhere.

FIG. 7 . Is a side view of the canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms being fully expanded on the pliable mat. Showing that this play structures can be easily attached and detached and or moved on the pliable mat with a hook and loop attachments.

FIG. 8 . Is a top view of canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms, which can be moved around on the pliable mat with a hook and loop fasteners adhere to the bottom on the spring articulating mechanism lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of this disclosure, referenced numbers may be used to refer to components found in any of the figures, regardless whether those reference numbers are shown in the figures being described. Farther where a reference number includes a letter referring to one of multiple similar components. (e.g., 0 a, 0 b, 0 c, 0 e) The reference number may be used without the letter to refer to one or all of the similar components.
FIG. 1 . Is a perspective view of this multi structure's 1 a, 1 b, 1 c position on the 6 c pliable mat. That embody the expanded structures when the mat is fully rolled out for imaginary play consisting of one or more canvas like membrane structures.
FIG. 2 . Is a rare view of the canvas like membrane structures on the pliable mat how they can be positioned In various locations on the pliable mat. 1. Shows the lever of the spring articulating mechanism. 3. Shows the spring articulating mechanism fully expanded. 2. Shows the different lengths for the spring loaded articulating mechanism levers that can be detachable for various lengths. 4 front member wall with slot/insert for spring articulating mechanism lever stitched or glue adhered to the canvas or like fabric membrane. 5 bottom inside-side member wall with slots/inserts for spring articulating mechanism lever stitched or glue adhered to the canvas or like fabric membrane.
With reference to FIG. 3 . Is a preferred embodiment of the collapsible and expandable canvas like membrane structures. This invention is disclosed in exploded form the canvas like membrane structure compromise is a body of three walls and a 7 f four corner roof. Made from a membrane canvas or like fabric. 6 scissor-type spring hinge, a custom design of spring hinge or other configurations. The hinge assembly/linkage, or other configuration. The hinge spring assembly/linkage may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitably strong materials and may include 7 g interchangeable supports of various lengths may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, wood or other suitably strong materials providing longer or shorter shafts/levers to give support to taller or smaller canvas like membrane structures giving proper tension and leverage for structures. 6 a shows the no assist spring articulating mechanisms levers can be stitched, glue or adhered to the canvas or like fabric membrane 6 e front member wall this provides structural support. The spring articulating mechanism levers couples 6 e front member wall and 6 f side walls member. The spring articulating mechanism lever inserted into slot 7 e also to be attached stitched or glue adhered to the canvas or like fabric membrane to 6 e front wall member bears against 6 e front wall member providing tension and leverage for structure wall. The spring articulating mechanism 7 c lever bottom lever inserted in slot 7 d inserted attached stitched or glue adhered to the canvas or like fabric membrane coupling 6 e and 6 f.
7 b a hook and loop fastener, stitched or glued to the under surface, 7 c bottom lever of the spring articulating mechanism. 7 b also provides a sturdy attachment to the pliable mat that assists with the collapsing and expanding of the canvas like membrane structures. 7 b also allows for movement of the structures within the pliable mat. 7 b also allows the user of preferred alignment of the structures spring articulating mechanism and levers on pliable mat to be rolled into the mat when play is concluded. 7 Shows when the spring articulating mechanism is expanded the top and bottom levers of the spring articulating mechanism intersect and lock in place to give the correct tension and angle to allow the canvas like structure to expand and stop at desired angle. 7 a. Is an example of a membrane foam or like material that is stitched adhered or glued into the fabric this gives structural integrity to the floating edges of 6 f side member walls of the canvas like membrane structure. 6 b. is a membrane foam or like material that is stitched adhered or glued into the 7 f fabric roof and four corners this gives structural integrity to the roof. 7 e Shows the canvas like structures have slots or inserts the spring articulating mechanism lever can be inserted and stitched or glued to the inside of 6 e front wall member providing the correct tension needed for the expanding structure. 7 d Shows the canvas like structures have slots or inserts the spring articulating mechanism lever can be inserted and stitched or glued to the bottom of 6 f inside-side wall member.
FIG. 4 . Is a front view of the pliable mat 6 c as to conclude imaginary play a preferred alignment of the structures and levers begin to rolled up the canvas like membrane structure 9 can be collapsed flat along with 8 the spring articulating mechanisms at which point you can continue to roll the pliable mat compressing 8 spring articulating mechanisms for storage, breaking the intersecting levers and resetting the automatic spring articulating mechanisms 8 to expand automatically when you roll the pliable mat back open for imaginary play.
FIG. 5A front view of preferred alignment of the pliable mat 6 c nearly complete rolled for storage or transportation 8 a shows the canvas like fabric/foam of the structure compressing flat.
FIG. 6 . Is a view of the preferred alignment of the pliable mat 6 c fully rolled up with the canvas like membrane structures, spring articulating mechanisms being compressed flat inside the pliable mat ready for storage or to be transported for imaginary play elsewhere. All spring articulating mechanisms intersect and reset to allow spring articulating mechanisms to expand automatically when you roll the pliable mat back open for imaginary play.
FIG. 7 . Is a side view of the canvas like membrane structures, 14 spring articulating mechanisms being fully expanded on 6 c the pliable mat.
FIG. 8 . Is a top view of canvas like membrane structures 11,12,13, spring articulating mechanisms, which can be moved around on the 6 c pliable mat with fiber hook and loop fasteners adhere to the bottom on the spring articulating mechanism lever.

Claims

1. What is claimed is a collapsible and expandable multi structure system for children imaginary play: Each structure body of fabric canvas like membrane having four corners. Adhered or stitched foam like material added for proper support and structural integrity. Three walls and roof two spring articulating mechanisms. That attach in two front corners of structured front member wall inserted into slots and two slots on the bottom of two side member walls. To expand and be able to collapse with no assembly of parts. The two corners being applied to a pliable mat that can be collapsed and expanded by rolling into pliable mat for storage and rolled out of pliable mat for imaginary play.

A collapsible and expandable structure with four corners roof and two corner bottom. Two front wall member corners have slots a spring articulating mechanism levers can be inserted. Two side wall members on the bottom of the structure have slots a spring articulating mechanism levers can be inserted, and stitched, adhered or glued to create the proper expansion, tension, and angle the canvas like fiber membrane structure to expand and collapse.

Spring articulated mechanisms when compressed are automatically reset to be able to spring open when pliable matt is rolled open. For immediate expandability of structure. Spring articulated mechanisms with levers that intersect on the back of the spring hinge to create the proper stop angle and tension to achieve proper expandability for canvas like membrane structure.

A method of collapsing and expanding a play imaginary structure for toys and figurines/small figures. Made of a fabric or canvas like membrane with four corners roof and two corner bottom comprising of expandable spring articulated mechanisms. That increased tension conditions on two sides of membrane walls of the structure to allow the expandable structure. The spring articulating mechanism can be compressed flat by separating the intersecting levers on the hinge and that compression will reset the spring for automatic release for expandability to erect canvas like membrane structure.

Scissor-type spring hinge, a custom design of spring hinge or other configurations. The hinge assembly/linkage, or other configuration. The hinge spring assembly/linkage may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitably strong materials and may include, interchangeable supports may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, wood or other suitably strong materials longer or shorter shafts/levers to give support to taller or smaller canvas like membrane structures. With intersecting levers to stop at the proper tension and angle when expanded. One lever of the bottom of the spring articulating mechanism hinge to be attached to the pliable mat with a hook and loop fastener, stitched or glued