Abstract: A play structure is formed from flexible struts supporting a fabric. The struts are inserted through pockets along the edges of the fabric. The struts are joined together by connectors at apexes of the structure. The struts form an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper and lower frames are connected by battens. The struts and battens hold the fabric in a selected shape, such as a sailboat. The battens are formed from flat, flexible members that are bent about their longitudinal axis to form a C-shaped cross section. Ends of the battens are inserted into curved batten receivers on the connectors. When a downward force is applied, the upper frame is pressed toward the lower frame. The battens bend and flatten to resiliently allow the structure to collapse. When the force is relieved, the battens resiliently resume their curved shape, restoring the structure to its original configuration.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A toy simulating a selectable beverage container may include a rotatable spindle having an axis of rotation arranged horizontally, a band connected with the spindle and arranged to wind onto and off the spindle, and a spigot arranged around at least a portion of the spindle, wherein the spigot comprises one or more openings arranged to allow the band to extend downward from the spindle. Rotation of the spindle in a first direction causes the band to unwind from the spindle and to extend from the spigot. A second band may be attached to another side of the spindle such that rotation of the spindle in a second direction causes the second band to extend down from the spindle.

Abstract: A toy simulating a selectable beverage container may include a rotatable spindle having an axis of rotation arranged horizontally, a band connected with the spindle and arranged to wind onto and off the spindle, and a spigot arranged around at least a portion of the spindle, wherein the spigot comprises one or more openings arranged to allow the band to extend downward from the spindle. Rotation of the spindle in a first direction causes the band to unwind from the spindle and to extend from the spigot. A second band may be attached to another side of the spindle such that rotation of the spindle in a second direction causes the second band to extend down from the spindle.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A toy for simulating the dispensing of a beverage. The toy includes a bench decorated to represent a beverage dispenser, such as an espresso machine. The toy also includes a simulated filter basket. The filter basket has a handle, a disc receiver and a support ring. The handle and disc receiver are rotatably connected with the ring so that, when the handle is rotated, the handle and disc receiver rotate about the horizontal axis with respect to the ring. One or more discs shaped to rest in the disc receiver are provided. Each disc has a decoration on one face showing a material used to create a beverage, for example, ground coffee, and a second face decorated to represent the top surface of a dispensed beverage, for example, a latte. The toy is operated by placing one of the discs in the disc receiver with the face showing the material facing upward. The filter basket is into a slot on the frame and the cup is positioned beneath the disc receiver.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A toy for simulating the dispensing of a beverage. The toy includes a bench decorated to represent a beverage dispenser, such as an espresso machine. The toy also includes a simulated filter basket. The filter basket has a handle, a disc receiver and a support ring. The handle and disc receiver are rotatably connected with the ring so that, when the handle is rotated, the handle and disc receiver rotate about the horizontal axis with respect to the ring. One or more discs shaped to rest in the disc receiver are provided. Each disc has a decoration on one face showing a material used to create a beverage, for example, ground coffee, and a second face decorated to represent the top surface of a dispensed beverage, for example, a latte. The toy is operated by placing one of the discs in the disc receiver with the face showing the material facing upward. The filter basket is into a slot on the frame and the cup is positioned beneath the disc receiver.

Abstract: A fastener including a screw receiving element extending along a first axis and having a first end and a second end, the screw receiving element including a through hole extending through a thickness of the screw receiving element perpendicular to the first axis, the fastener further including a retention element arranged at the first end of the screw receiving element, wherein the retention element is plate-shaped and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of the screw receiving element, and the retention element further includes a panel facing surface extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the screw receiving element, and side surfaces extending in planes substantially along the first axis of the screw receiving element.

Abstract: A play structure is formed from flexible struts supporting a fabric. The struts are inserted through pockets along the edges of the fabric. The struts are joined together by connectors at apexes of the structure. The struts form an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper and lower frames are connected by battens. The struts and battens hold the fabric in a selected shape, such as a sailboat. The battens are formed from flat, flexible members that are bent about their longitudinal axis to form a C-shaped cross section. Ends of the battens are inserted into curved batten receivers on the connectors. When a downward force is applied, such as when a child sits or steps on the structure, the upper frame is pressed toward the lower frame. The battens bend and flatten to resiliently allow the structure to collapse. When the force is relieved, the battens resiliently resume their curved shape, restoring the structure to its original configuration.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A fastener including a screw receiving element extending along a first axis and having a first end and a second end, the screw receiving element including a through hole extending through a thickness of the screw receiving element perpendicular to the first axis, the fastener further including a retention element arranged at the first end of the screw receiving element, wherein the retention element is plate-shaped and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of the screw receiving element, and the retention element further includes a panel facing surface extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the screw receiving element, and side surfaces extending in planes substantially along the first axis of the screw receiving element.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: Erectable shelter frame structures including a plurality of rib assemblies. Preferably, each rib assembly has a receptacle for receiving a respective end of a purlin arrangement, the other end of which is attached to a receptacle of a subsequent rib assembly. The joints are formed by toggle clamps that assist in facilitating the ease by which the shelter structure can be assembled or disassembled. Methods of construction and disassembly of the shelter frame structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: A canopy assembly for a barrier defined by at least two sides, wherein the canopy assembly including a cover assembly; and a bracket assembly, coupled to the cover assembly, wherein the bracket assembly includes at least a first bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the first side of the barrier and at least a second bracket for coupling the cover assembly to the second side of the barrier, wherein each of the at least first and second brackets have a cavity dimensioned to receive a plurality of differently dimensioned barrier top rails or wall surfaces.

Abstract: Erectable shelter frame structures comprising a plurality of rib assemblies. Preferably, each rib assembly has a receptacle for receiving a respective end of a purlin arrangement, the other end of which is attached to a receptacle of a subsequent rib assembly. The joints are comprised of toggle clamps that assist in facilitating the ease by which the shelter structure can be assembled or disassembled. Methods of construction and disassembly of the shelter frame structure are also disclosed.