GB2337924A

GB2337924A - Child's playhouse

Info

Publication number: GB2337924A
Application number: GB9811794A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean Usha Brandreth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-03
Filing date: 1998-06-03
Publication date: 1999-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-03
Also published as: GB9811794D0; GB2337924B

Abstract

A kit of parts for constructing a child's playhouse in conjunction with a bunk bed 10. The kit comprises a number of side panels 25 and end panels 26 which are formed from flexible sheet material and may be suspended from a part of the bunk bed adjacent the upper bed 11 thereof. The panels 25, 26 hang down at least as far as the lower bunk 12 to create a play space 30 within the lower bunk area. Consequently, children may safely play, without the need to construct a large separate playhouse. To improve the effect optional windows 37 and storage pockets 36 may be included on the flexible panels, to improve the appearance and provide storage spaces. The panels 26 and 25 may be attached using straps 31 and hook-and-loop fastener devices.

Description

2337924 CHILD'S PLAYHOUSE The present invention relates to a kit of parts

for assembling a child's playhouse in conjunction with a bunk-bed, as well as to playhouses when assembled from such a kit.

Children enjoy playing in small playhouse constructions, which are often known as dens or Wendy houses. Many different designs of such playhouses have been proposed, ranging from temporary tentlike constructions with metal pole frames and material hung therearound, to permanent wooden or brick and mortar constructions.

All playhouses of this design take up a certain amount of space.

Whilst when erected outdoors the problem of space is probably not an issue, their outdoor/garden use is not always possible. If for example there is no garden, or perhaps during the winter when it is too cold, one might wish to erect a playhouse inside. It is of course possible to erect certain temporary playhouses but these still require a substantial amount of floor space. Furthermore, even when taken apart and collapsed, designs such as these require substantial storage space due to the rigid nature of the supporting framework.

The actual task of assembling a temporary playhouse can be both time consuming and too difficult for a child to perform. There is thus a demand for a playhouse simple and safe enough for a child to construct, and which does not need a significant floor area for erection, nor considerable storage space when not in use.

In an attempt to mitigate the above described disadvantages, according to the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for constructing in conjunction with a bunk-bed a temporary child's playhouse defining a play area on the lower bed of the bunk-bed, comprising:

- at least one end panel together with releasable attachment means whereby the end panel may be attached to the head or foot of the upper bed of the bunk-bed, which end panel comprises a first piece of material of such a shape and size that when attached to the head or foot of the upper bed, the material extends from one side of the bed to the other and hangs down from the upper bed at least as far as the lower bed. and - at least one side panel together with releasable attachment means whereby the side panel may be attached to a side of the upper bed, which side panel comprises a further piece of material of such a shape and size that when attached to a side of the upper bed, the side panel hangs down from the upper bed at least as far as the lower bed, the width of the side panel being less than the length of the bed such that when attached to the side of the upper bed it extends at least part-way between the head and foot of the bed, the side panel when so attached defining an entrance to the play area.

If the bunk-bed is in the corner of a room, then it will be necessary to use only a single end panel and a single side panel. Obviously if only the head of the bunk-bed is against the wall then two side panels and one end panel will be required, and if the bed is situated with only one side along the wall then two end panels and one side panel will be required to complete the playhouse. The kit of parts of this invention extends to all of these possible combinations.

Access to the interior of the playhouse once constructed is of course essential and whilst it is feasible that a child could gain access to the playhouse by lifting a corner of one of the panels, in the present invention it is essential that some form of pre-defined entrance is available. As the head and foot of the bed are likely to be obstructed by boards, an entrance way is defined along at least one side of the play area. The entrance way may be formed by having a side panel that does not extend the full length of the bed thereby leaving an opening that can serve as an entrance, adjacent the head or the foot of the bed. Alternatively, the entrance way may be defined by an aperture formed in a side panel which extends the full length of the bed from the head to the foot. Preferably the aperture is covered by a flap which extends thereover when no access to the interior of the playhouse is required, but which may be moved to allow access as and when necessary. The flap or the side panel could advantageously be provided with means for holding the flap in a position so as to keep open the opening.

When provided, the opening in the panel may be situated wherever convenient, but is preferably located centrally so as to ensure that it does not coincide with a ladder for ascending to the upper bed, which usually is at one end.

Each of the panels may be attached to the bunk-bed in the region of the upper bunk by any suitable means. Advantageously, however, the -4 releasabie attachment means should be simple and easy to engage and disengage from the upper bed thereby facilitating swift and uncomplicated assembly of the playhouse. Preferably the fastening means comprise strips of flexible material one end of each of which is fixed to the upper edge of the respective panel, and are configured to pass around the side or end beam of the upper bed, the free ends of each strip being releasably connectable either to themselves or to the panel. Preferably a quick release mechanism such as pop fasteners, buttons, or hook and loop fasteners may be employed to secure the free end of the strip.

At least one window may be formed in one of either the end or side panels, but advantageously more than one window is provided with at least one being formed in each of the side and end panels. The panels could be made from a range of suitably flexible material, but preferably are made from woven fabrics. When the panels are constructed from fabrics the window is conveniently formed by providing an aperture at the appropriate position. It is preferred that the window aperture be covered with a suitable translucent material for example clear plastic or a fine mesh.

It is advantageous that at least one of the panels is provided with at least one storage pocket located on either the exterior or interior face thereof. This storage pocket provides a useful receptacle either for storing temporarily unused parts of the kit for enhancing the child's enjoyment.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a playhouse constructed with a bunk-bed and a kit of parts according to the present invention, with one side panel opened up to reveal the interior; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the playhouse shown in Figure 1, but now fully closed.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a bunkbed 10 comprising an upper bed 11 and a lower bed 12 joined together by four vertical supports 13, 14, 15 and 16. The upper bed has two side beams 17 and 18, a head beam 19 and a foot beam 20, which form part of the overall structure of the bunk-bed 10. Access to the upper bed is provided by means of a ladder 21 fixed to one side of the bunk-bed 10.

Attachment of side panel 25 and end panels 26 and.27, when the bunk-bed 10 is situated alongside a wall 28, defines a play area (generally indicated 30) between the upper bed 11 and the lower bed 12. The panels 25, 26 and 27 are formed from flexible sheet material such as woven fabrics, which are suitably strong and may be conveniently manufactured by cutting and stitching as appropriate.

The end panel 26 at the foot of the bed connects to foot beam 20, end panel 27 to head beam 19 and side panel 25 to side beam 17. The panel may be connected to the beams by various methods but preferably by means of a plurality of strips 31 attached to the panels in the region of the top edges 35 of the respective panels. One end of each strip is fixed to the panel, the strip then passing around the respective beams 17, 19 and 20 and reconnected to the panel by a suitable releasable attachment means, such as buttons, pop fasteners or a hook and loop closure (e.g. Velcrog).

When the panels are fixed to the beams of the upper bed 11 they hang under gravity down towards the floor. To ensure the correct construction of the playhouse they must extend at least as far as the side or end beams of the lower bed. The end panels 26 and 27 will generally have a width such that they extend from one corner to another for example from vertical support 15 to vertical support 16 for the end panel 26 or supports 13 and 14 for the panel 27 at the head of the bunk- bed. Side panel 25 extends the length of the side of the bunk-bed, but in Figure 1 is shown folded back on itself to reveal the interior of the playhouselbunk-bed. Figure 2 shows the side panel in its unfolded orientation, extending between vertical supports 14 and 15.

The end panel 26 is provided with a pocket on the exterior face of the panel, but this pocket could be located on a different panel on the interior face of one of the panels. The pocket can be used temporarily to store unused parts of the kit or for toys and games used by children in conjunction with the playhouse. The side panel 25 is provided with a window 37 which provides fight to the interior of the playhouse, and also allows the occupants to look outward. This is formed by providing a hole of the desired shape in the panel 22 and covering this with a suitable translucent material such as a flexible plastic or mesh.

When constructed, the entrance to the interior of the playhouse 30 is via an opening formed in the side panel. The opening is better illustrated in Figure 2 and is covered by a flap 38, which is defined by making a slit 39 in panel 25. Flap 38 can, when access to the interior 30 is desired, be lifted out of the way by folding approximately along fold line 40 to reveal an entrance way. If desired the flap 38 may be held up so the entrance way is kept open, by releasable holding means (not shown)- The flap can also be held in the closed position by similar means such as buttons, zips, Velcroo or pop-fasteners.

Claims

1 A kit of parts for constructing in conjunction with a bunk-bed a temporary child's playhouse defining a play area on the lower bed of the bunk-bed, comprising:

- at least one end panel together with releasable attachment means whereby the end panel may be attached to the head or foot of the upper bed of the bunk-bed, which end panel comprises a first piece of material of such a shape and size that when attached to the head or foot of the upper bed, the material extends from one side of the bed to the other and hangs down from the upper bed at least as far as the lower bed, and - at least one side panel together with releasable attachment means whereby the side panel may be attached to a side of the upper bed, which side panel comprises a further piece of material of such a shape and size that when attached to a side of the upper bed, the side panel hangs down from the upper bed at least as far as the lower bed, the width of the side panel being less than the length of the bed such that when attached to the side of the upper bed it extends at least part-way between the head and foot of the bed, the side panel when so attached defining an entrance to the play area.

2. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, in which the side panel is shaped so as to extend only partially along the side of the bunk-bed, thereby leaving an opening through which access may be gained to the Interior of the playhouse.

3. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 1, in which the entrance way is defined by an opening formed in said at least one side panel.

4. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 3, in which the entrance way is situated substantially equidistant from both ends of the side panel, near the middle of the lower bed.

5. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which an extension flap is provided to cover the entrance way, which flap is connected to the side panel and is configured to have approximately the same shape as the opening.

6. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 5, in which the extension flap is an integral part of the respective panel.

7. A kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, in which the entrance way is formed by providing a vertical slit in the side panel, thus forming two triangular panels which can be folded back to uncover the entrance way or dropped down to cover the entrance way.

8. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the releasable attachment means for connecting the panels to the upper bed comprise a plurality of strips of flexible material each permanently attached at one end to the upper edge region of a panel, each strip being sufficiently long to pass over or around a side or end beam of the upper bed, and there being releasable fastening means to connect the other end of the strip either to the one end thereof or to the panel.

9. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which either one or both of the panels are formed from flexible textile material.

10. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which at least one window is formed in at least one of the side and end panels.

11. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a least two adjacent panels are integral or integrated along coincident edges.

12. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 11, in which at least one end panel and one side panel are formed from single piece of material with a fold line in the material where the material wraps around a corner of the bunk-bed.

13. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which at least one storage pocket is provided on at least one of the panels.

14. A kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims and as described in the accompanying description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A playhouse whenever constructed from the kit of parts as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in conjunction with a bunk-bed.