Abstract: An erectable play structure for children including one or more enclosures or pods (10, 11, 12) which may be interconnected by one or more access tunnels (14) the whole structure being formed predominantly from a non-self supporting material thus to be collapsible for storage and adapted to be connected to an air pump (18) whereby the internal pressure within the structure may be slightly in excess of ambient pressure thus to maintain the structure in an erect condition. One or more access ports (15, 16) and/or blanking plates (17) may be provided in each enclosure to allow or prevent access to or exit from the enclosure. The access ports (16) are constructed such that after passage there through they resume a closed condition to resist escape of air therethrough. Hook and loop fasteners or the like are used to attach the enclosures, tunnels and access ports together in assembly of the structure.

Abstract: A portable “pop-up” structure comprising a first part (10) forming a receptacle, and a second part (11) forming an enclosure for the receptacle. The first and second parts are separable and each may be folded into a plurality of overlying loops for storing. Each part of the structure is made from a flexible coilable material frame with a foldable cloth-like material between the frame members. Thus, the structure forms a portable cot or animal bed which may be quickly released and erected using the “pop-up” principle, yet readily folded and stowed when not required.

Abstract: A portable “pop-up” structure comprising a first part (10) forming a receptacle, and a second part (11) forming an enclosure for the receptacle. The first and second parts are separable and each may be folded into a plurality of overlying loops for storing. Each part of the structure is made from a flexible coilable material frame with a foldable cloth-like material between the frame members. Thus, the structure forms a portable cot or animal bed which may be quickly released and erected using the “pop-up” principle, yet readily folded and stowed when note required.

Abstract: An erectable play structure for children including one or more enclosures or pods (10, 11, 12) which may be interconnected by one or more access tunnels (14) the whole structure being formed predominantly from a non-self supporting material thus to be collapsible for storage and adapted to be connected to an air pump (18) whereby the internal pressure within the structure may be slightly in excess of ambient pressure thus to maintain the structure in an erect condition. One or more access ports (15, 16) and/or blanking plates (17) may be provided in each enclosure to allow or prevent access to or exit from the enclosure. The access ports (16) are constructed such that after passage there through they resume a closed condition to resist escape of air therethrough. Hook and loop fasteners or the like are used to attach the enclosures, tunnels and access ports together in assembly of the structure.

Abstract: A play tunnel structure (11) providing passageways through which children can crawl and play. The tunnel structure (11) has loops (12) supporting a covering (14) thereby forming a tunnel passageway. The loops (12) comprise discrete rings, (16) and (18), disposed between helical members (20) and (22). When extended, the helical members, (20) and (22), form straight sections of tunnel passage way and the discrete rings, (16) and (18), may form bends in the tunnel passageway. Each discrete ring, (16) and (18), has eyes, (40) and (42), disposed to line up with each other on the outer circumference thereof. A tie (32) is threaded through the eyes, (40) and (42), and pulled taut to gather adjacent rings to thereby form and secure a bend in the passageway of the tunnel structure (11).

Abstract: A portable pop-up self-supporting of tent-like form comprising a pair of hinged side members (A) and (B) each consisting of a flexible sheet having a peripheral coilable frame. The two side members are hinged along adjacent edges and the opposed edges are joined by flexible base sheet (C). The triangular ends of the tent may be closed by a flexible material including an access flap if required. The base of the tent is held apart by a removable and separate panel member (D) also consisting of a flexible panel having a peripheral coilable semi-rigid frame. The entire structure comprising the side members and the separate base member may be coiled into overlaying loops for storage and, is self-erecting when released.

Abstract: A glass sheet is suspended from a series of tongs which grip the upper margin of the sheet and apply individual forces at the gripping locations at least some of which have components acting out of the plane of the sheet. The magnitude and direction of each of said forces is selected to ensure that the suspended sheet, when at forming temperature, adapts towards a predetermined curved shape. The sheet may be bent with the forces acting at the gripping points before and/or after bending, and the sheet adopts the required curved shape when it is sufficiently stiffened to be influenced by the remanent forces applied at the gripping points.

Abstract: In a method of heating a glass sheet which is moved on a conveyor which contacts one face of the sheet, anticlastic bending of the sheet is caused, and the stable anticlastic shape of the sheet is determined such that the sheet is arched away from the conveyor transversely of the sheet with respect to the conveying direction and with the sheet having a reverse curvature along its longitudinal extent so that the leading and trailing edges of the sheet are bent away from the conveyor. This reduces the contact between the contacted surface of each glass sheet and keeps the leading edge of each sheet clear of the conveyor. Anticlastic bending of the sheet is caused by producing a temperature differential between the central area and at least a part of the periphery of the sheet, for example, by heating said part of the periphery.