US3895796A - Toy and sports device - Google Patents

Toy and sports device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3895796A
US3895796A US425767A US42576773A US3895796A US 3895796 A US3895796 A US 3895796A US 425767 A US425767 A US 425767A US 42576773 A US42576773 A US 42576773A US 3895796 A US3895796 A US 3895796A
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United States
Prior art keywords
toy
tubular elements
sporting device
elements
tubular
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US425767A
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English (en)
Inventor
Iwan Pestalozzi
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of US3895796A publication Critical patent/US3895796A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B9/00—Climbing poles, frames, or stages
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
    • A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S273/00—Amusement devices: games
    • Y10S273/07—Glass fiber

Definitions

  • a toynected tubular elements possessing a substantially circular-shaped cross-section, and wherein at least a number of these individual elements are constructed as arcuate elements.
  • the elements have an interior diameter of a size to admit a child.
  • the present invention broadly relates to the field of toys and sporting devices, and specifically concerns a new and improved construction of toyand sporting device.
  • Another object of this invention relates to a toyand sports device formed of individual tubular elements connected with one another and which are relatively simple in construction and design, relatively safe to use, and capable of being easily assembled and disassembled into different configurations.
  • the toyand sporting or sports device of this development is manifested by the features that it is constituted by a twisted or coiled structure composed of a number of tubular elements which are interconnected with one another, the tubular elements possessing a substantially circularshaped cross-sectional configuration and at least a number of these individual elements are constructed as arcuate or arcuate-shaped elements.
  • FIGII is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of toyand sports device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates two individual elements of the toyand sports device of FIG. I connected with one another;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection location in axial direction and taken substantially along the line III-III of FIG. 2',
  • FIG. 4 is a section in radial direction of a ring through its connection location and likewise shown on an enlarged scale
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a further construction of the connection between two individual elements.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an exemplary embodiment of toyand sports device as contemplated by this invention and which will be seen to comprise a three-dimensionally coiled or twisted substantially tubular-shaped structure S open at both ends.
  • This structure S can be dimensioned such that entry and movement through such tubular-shaped structure can be carried out by small children while in a standing position and by larger children while crawling.
  • the lowermost tubular elements bear upon a support surface, typically the floor or ground, and the upper situated tubular elements bear against the associated lower situated tubular elements.
  • the outer wall of the structure is completely smooth.
  • the inner wall thereof has surface properties constituted by irregularities or unevenness and a certain degree of roughness, so that there is present between the body of the user and the wall the frictional resistance necessary for movement through these tubular elements which are inclined with regard to the horizontal.
  • the average diameter of the structure S remains constant or substantially constant from one end to the other.
  • This structure S is assembled from both linear i.e. straight and arcuate-shaped plastic tubular elements 1 and 3 respectively.
  • tubular elements 1, 3 can be also dimensioned in such a way that they form a toy which can be easily manually assembled together, through which, for instance, a ball or sphere can be rolled.
  • the individual elements can be filled with a suitable filler material or machined or otherwise worked from a solid body so that they constitute rod-shaped structures.
  • the glass fiber reinforcement consists of a number of layers of glass fiber webs or fabrics which are mutually connected with one another and with the polyester by any suitable binder.
  • the linear tubular element 1 possesses a lateral entry and exit opening 2 for instance at its side wall.
  • the axis of the curved or arcuate tubular element 3 describes one-quarter of an arc of a circle.
  • the bent or arc-shaped tubular element 3 does not have any lateral entry and exit opening.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 depict on an enlarged scale two neighboring tubular elements, namely an arcuate-shaped or curved tubular element 3 and a linear or straight tubular element 1, in each case the neighboring tubular elements of the structure S are detachably connected with one another by a sheet metal ring or ring member 4.
  • Each tubular element 1 and 3 is stepped or inset at its end region 5 at the location of its outer wall along its periphery, as particularly well depicted in FIG. 3; in this inset or stepped portion 20 there is located such a sheet metal ring 4.
  • the length of the stepped region or portion 20 of each tubular element 1, 3 in axial direction corresponds to essentially one-half of the axial length of the associated ring 4.
  • the depth of the stepped region or portion 20 essentially corresponds to the thickness of such ring, so that the outer diameter of each such tubular element at any random location corresponds to the outer diameter of the ring 4 which is spanned or clamped at the stepped region or portion.
  • Each stepped region 20 is additionally provided along its periphery or circumference with a groove or recess 6 which is located at the inset or stepped region at the zone furthest removed from the joint or abutting location 21 of two neighboring tubular elements. The depth of groove 6 corresponds to the thickness of the ring 4.
  • the inner flange 4a of the ring 4 formed by the fold-over or doubled-over portion 7 of its end region is fitted into the associated groove 6, so that there is not possible any axial displacement of the ring 4 with respect to the tubular elements 1 and 3. Furthermore, it should be apparent that the size of the bore 22 of each tubular element at its end region is the same as at every other random location of such tubular element.
  • the rounded portions 8 at the joint 21 between two neighboring tubular elements only serve the purpose of eliminating the danger of injury to a child moving through the con fines of a tube.
  • the metal ring 4 is axially cut or split. Both ends are detachably connected with one another by a screw coupling or connection 9, as best seen by referring to FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • the end regions of the ring 4 possess a respective flange 29.
  • the one flange possesses a threaded bore 10 and the other flange a bore 11, the inner wall of which is smooth.
  • a screw 12 is inserted through this bore 11 and engages with the threaded bore 10 to thus draw together both flanges 29 and hence the ring 4, so that it bears with a certain tension or stress upon the tubular elements 1 and 3 and therefore fixedly interconnects such with one another.
  • the diameter of the metallic ring in its open condition is greater than its diameter in its closed condition.
  • connection location can be equipped with any suitable safety device, which has not been here particularly shown since it is not important for the understanding of the inventive concepts, in order to avoid any possible accidental or unauthorized opening of the ring.
  • connection is here constructed as a plug-type or insertable connection.
  • the end region 23 of the tubular element, here designated by reference numeral 1 possesses a smaller external diameter D, than the tube outer diameter D
  • a peripheral bead or raised portion 15 At the outer surface 14 of this stepped or inset constructed region 24 there is formed a peripheral bead or raised portion 15.
  • the other end region 25 of the tubular element here designated by reference numeral 3, possesses a smaller internal diameter D than the tube outer diameter D
  • the inner surface of the bore possesses an inner bead or raised portion 16.
  • the cross-section of the peripheral bead 15 possesses the shape of a substantially circular segment, as shown.
  • the side surface 17 of the inner bead 16 which is located opposite the neighboring tubular element 1 extends at an angle with regard to the lengthwise axis of the tube and the side surface 18 located opposite thereto, viewed in cross-section, is constructed to possess the shape of one-quarter of a circle. It is worthy of mention that the radius of the circular segment of the peripheral bead 15 is smaller in comparison to the radius of the one-quarter circular-shaped inner bead 16.
  • tubular-shaped constructed toyand sporting device there are detachably interconnected with one another tubular elements of different basic forms or shapes. Therefore, different possibilities of using the device as a toyand sporting or sports device are provided and the device itself fulfills its intended purposes. It should be apparent that owing to the selection of the sequence of the tubular elements which are connected with one another, and furthermore, due to the arc or curved tubular elements which are randomly joined together with regard to the rotational axis, there can be obtained a multiplicity of shapes of the device, particularly because the variation possibilities are not only present with regard to the horizontal but also with respect to the vertical.
  • the crawling path is interrupted at a number of partial or individual elements. in this way there is provided the possibility for larger children to move through partial elements of the structure which place a greater physical strain or burden upon the body and for smaller children to move through those partial or individual elements of the structure which place less of a physical strain on the body, for instance only in the horizontally situated tubular elements.
  • the windows or openings which are provided along the crawling path eliminate or mitigate against any possible fear of being in a closed space, in other words counteracts any tendency for the user to have a claustrophobic feeling.
  • these openings serve as holding grips and as foot supports for a child located within the structure, or at the outside of the tubular elements, and which is moving along those tubular elements inclined with regard to the horizontal.
  • tubular elements Due to the possibility of the random arrangement of the tubular elements it is possible to not only bring about a change in the activity or use of the toyand sports device, but also the tubular elements can be arranged from an aesthetic view point such as to form a plastic configuration in the artistic sense, which, for instance, can be used for the identification of a public playground.
  • the internal diameter of the individual elements When the internal diameter of the individual elements is selected to be small, then such can be used as a plug-connection type toy, wherein the child can form different shapes and, in the event that the individual elements are not constructed rod-shaped but rather tubular-shaped, then it is possible to roll balls or the like through a structure constructed in this way.
  • the outer diameter of the structure is essentially constant.
  • the invention provides a set of individual elements, which are of circularshaped configuration and which can be detachably assembled together in a random position into a twisted or coiled structure, so that there are possible innumerable variation possibilities of the coiled arrangement of the structure.
  • connections between the tubular elements being such as to maintain an axially fixed relationship between the individual tubular elements while permitting the individual tubular elements to undergo rotation relative to each other around their respective axes so that upper situated tubular elements bear against tubular elements situated therebelow, said elements having distinct ingress and egress openings whereby a child may climb therethrough.
  • tubular elements define two different types of tubular elements from which the structure is formed, the first type of tubular element comprising an arcuate element of a predetermined length and the second type a substantially linear tubular element of a predetermined length.
  • each tubular element has cut portions at both ends located substantially perpendicular to its axis.
  • a toyand sporting device as defined in claim 1 further including means defining a recess for each said tubular element, a ring for retaining together two neighboring tubular elements at their joint location, said ring engaging in said recesses of said neighboring tubular elements and extending over the joint location of said two neighboring tubular elements.
  • each tubular element is stepped along its periphery at its end region, the outer diameter of said ring being essentially the same as the outer diameter of the tubular element, and each tubular element at the stepped region at a location furthest removed from the end of the tubular element possesses said recess along its periphery, said recess being of substantially groovelike configuration.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US425767A 1972-12-21 1973-12-18 Toy and sports device Expired - Lifetime US3895796A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1863672A CH573255A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-12-21 1972-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3895796A true US3895796A (en) 1975-07-22

Family

ID=4434334

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US425767A Expired - Lifetime US3895796A (en) 1972-12-21 1973-12-18 Toy and sports device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3895796A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5047727A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT334801B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA988547A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH573255A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2211265B3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD244556S (en) 1975-08-19 1977-05-31 Wcb Containers Limited Playground clamber tube
US4189149A (en) * 1977-09-08 1980-02-19 Katsiaficas Mary D Recreational structure including flexible tubular member
USD291717S (en) 1985-02-27 1987-09-01 Brooks Kevin C Fairground amusement tunnel
US4721299A (en) * 1984-01-11 1988-01-26 Ludopark Ag. Structure assembled from structural members
US4988090A (en) * 1989-03-23 1991-01-29 Schmitt Marcella H Portable, safety, play furniture assembly
US5004297A (en) * 1989-03-23 1991-04-02 Schmitt Marcella H Portable, safety, play chair
USD331322S (en) 1989-07-07 1992-12-01 Schmitt Marcella H Child's play chair
US5205748A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-04-27 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Play apparatus having obstacles
US5540636A (en) * 1994-04-08 1996-07-30 Soft Play, Inc. Playground junction ball
US5618246A (en) * 1995-07-10 1997-04-08 Zheng; Yu Collapsible play tunnel structures
US5620396A (en) * 1994-08-22 1997-04-15 Westphal; Mark E. Toy tunnel structure
US5711744A (en) * 1996-06-05 1998-01-27 Soft Play, L.L.C Helical tube recreational component
US20050096185A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-05 Yu Zheng Collapsible play structures
US20050096186A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-05 Yu Zheng Collapsible play structures
US20060186119A1 (en) * 2005-02-23 2006-08-24 Yu Zheng Collapsible structures with liners
US20070163733A1 (en) * 2006-01-13 2007-07-19 William Phillips Collapsible paintball bunker
CN106994250A (zh) * 2017-01-06 2017-08-01 北京米娅文化发展有限公司 游具
USD985705S1 (en) * 2021-02-24 2023-05-09 Qitele Group Co., Ltd. Children's play gym
USD989214S1 (en) * 2021-02-24 2023-06-13 Qitele Group Co., Ltd. Children's play gym
USD1004027S1 (en) * 2022-04-01 2023-11-07 Dongguan Fushang Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. Toy

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS55101199U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1979-01-08 1980-07-14
US4509929A (en) * 1982-08-27 1985-04-09 Zawitz Richard E Annular support device with pivotal segments
CH663241A5 (de) * 1984-01-11 1987-11-30 Ludopark Ag Baukoerper fuer die erstellung von begehbaren bauanlagen.
ES1036806Y (es) 1997-03-26 1998-04-01 Rodriguez Martinez S C Estructura para juegos infantiles.
DE19913881A1 (de) * 1999-03-26 2000-09-28 Rusta Ruprecht Gmbh & Co Kg Kinderspielgerät zum Hochklettern

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US866785A (en) * 1906-12-27 1907-09-24 Joseph Haigh Stovepipe-connector.
US1839761A (en) * 1927-03-09 1932-01-05 California Corrugated Culvert Band coupler
US3217400A (en) * 1959-03-10 1965-11-16 Illesy Otto Method of connecting thermoplastic pipe sections and the like
US3485494A (en) * 1967-02-08 1969-12-23 Liebermann Jerry Play maze
US3667785A (en) * 1970-05-20 1972-06-06 Martin Kapeker Coupler for tubular members
US3752472A (en) * 1971-04-08 1973-08-14 Minneapolis Soc Of Fine Arts Child's building toy

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US866785A (en) * 1906-12-27 1907-09-24 Joseph Haigh Stovepipe-connector.
US1839761A (en) * 1927-03-09 1932-01-05 California Corrugated Culvert Band coupler
US3217400A (en) * 1959-03-10 1965-11-16 Illesy Otto Method of connecting thermoplastic pipe sections and the like
US3485494A (en) * 1967-02-08 1969-12-23 Liebermann Jerry Play maze
US3667785A (en) * 1970-05-20 1972-06-06 Martin Kapeker Coupler for tubular members
US3752472A (en) * 1971-04-08 1973-08-14 Minneapolis Soc Of Fine Arts Child's building toy

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD244556S (en) 1975-08-19 1977-05-31 Wcb Containers Limited Playground clamber tube
US4189149A (en) * 1977-09-08 1980-02-19 Katsiaficas Mary D Recreational structure including flexible tubular member
US4721299A (en) * 1984-01-11 1988-01-26 Ludopark Ag. Structure assembled from structural members
USD291717S (en) 1985-02-27 1987-09-01 Brooks Kevin C Fairground amusement tunnel
US4988090A (en) * 1989-03-23 1991-01-29 Schmitt Marcella H Portable, safety, play furniture assembly
US5004297A (en) * 1989-03-23 1991-04-02 Schmitt Marcella H Portable, safety, play chair
USD331322S (en) 1989-07-07 1992-12-01 Schmitt Marcella H Child's play chair
US5205748A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-04-27 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Play apparatus having obstacles
US5540636A (en) * 1994-04-08 1996-07-30 Soft Play, Inc. Playground junction ball
US5620396A (en) * 1994-08-22 1997-04-15 Westphal; Mark E. Toy tunnel structure
US5618246A (en) * 1995-07-10 1997-04-08 Zheng; Yu Collapsible play tunnel structures
US5711744A (en) * 1996-06-05 1998-01-27 Soft Play, L.L.C Helical tube recreational component
US20050096185A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-05 Yu Zheng Collapsible play structures
US20050096186A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2005-05-05 Yu Zheng Collapsible play structures
US7854688B2 (en) 2003-10-29 2010-12-21 Patent Category Corp. Collapsible play structures
US8021272B2 (en) 2003-10-29 2011-09-20 Patent Category Corp. Collapsible play structures
US20060186119A1 (en) * 2005-02-23 2006-08-24 Yu Zheng Collapsible structures with liners
US20090212050A1 (en) * 2005-02-23 2009-08-27 Patent Category Corp. Collapsible structures with liners
US20070163733A1 (en) * 2006-01-13 2007-07-19 William Phillips Collapsible paintball bunker
CN106994250A (zh) * 2017-01-06 2017-08-01 北京米娅文化发展有限公司 游具
CN106994250B (zh) * 2017-01-06 2020-03-06 北京米娅文化发展有限公司 游具
USD985705S1 (en) * 2021-02-24 2023-05-09 Qitele Group Co., Ltd. Children's play gym
USD989214S1 (en) * 2021-02-24 2023-06-13 Qitele Group Co., Ltd. Children's play gym
USD1004027S1 (en) * 2022-04-01 2023-11-07 Dongguan Fushang Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. Toy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT334801B (de) 1976-02-10
FR2211265B3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-03-17
JPS5047727A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-04-28
FR2211265A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-07-19
CA988547A (en) 1976-05-04
ATA1078173A (de) 1976-05-15
CH573255A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-03-15

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