Abstract: In one embodiment, the sight and sound barriers of this invention have a flexible sheet of lightweight, resilient foam as a core. This core is covered by a fabric or other suitable covering to further enhance the acoustic properties and to make the walls attractive. In this embodiment the core of polyethylene, polystyrene, urethane, or a mosaic thereof, for example, is made flexible with alternating wall and hinge portions. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the barriers or panels are formed with mitered grooves to allow the panel to be bent into larger degree corners, such as 90 degrees in one direction or 180 degrees in the opposite direction.

Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a cot assembly that includes side pieces, supporting end pieces and bedding material. Preferably the cot assembly holds the end pieces a spaced apart distance, and in one feature allows a side piece to be selectively released. In one embodiment, the end pieces move towards each other to release a side piece, optionally by sliding a side piece through an end piece channel. In one preferred embodiment, the bedding material is mounted to and retained by the end pieces and extends across the interior of the cot to overlap or enclose the side pieces without any gaps between the material, the side pieces and the end pieces. In other embodiments, the invention includes an improved method for attaching the material to the end pieces and an improved cot assembly method. In a preferred option, the bedding material is continuously attached to the end piece along a portion of an end piece.

Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a cot assembly that includes side pieces, supporting end pieces and bedding material. Preferably the cot assembly holds the end pieces a spaced apart distance, and in one feature allows a side piece to be selectively released. In one embodiment, the end pieces move towards each other to release a side piece, optionally by sliding a side piece through an end piece channel. In one preferred embodiment, the bedding material is mounted to and retained by the end pieces and extends across the interior of the cot to overlap or enclose the side pieces without any gaps between the material, the side pieces and the end pieces. In other embodiments, the invention includes an improved method for attaching the material to the end pieces and an improved cot assembly method. In a preferred option, the bedding material is continuously attached to the end piece along a portion of an end piece.

Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a cot assembly that includes side pieces, supporting end pieces and bedding material. Preferably the cot assembly holds the end pieces a spaced apart distance, and in one feature allows a side piece to be selectively released. In one embodiment, the end pieces move towards each other to release a side piece, optionally by sliding a side piece through an end piece channel. In one preferred embodiment, the bedding material is mounted to and retained by the end pieces and extends across the interior of the cot to overlap or enclose the side pieces without any gaps between the material, the side pieces and the end pieces. In other embodiments, the invention includes an improved method for attaching the material to the end pieces and an improved cot assembly method. In a preferred option, the bedding material is continuously attached to the end piece along a portion of an end piece.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a modular toy building kit is provided. The kit includes a plurality of building panels, each having a circumference with edges. A plurality of tabs are defined on each panel with one tab defined on each edge. The kit further includes a plurality of connectors, each connector having a length and having slots defined along the length. Each slot is sized to slidably receive and temporarily retain a tab of a building panel. Another embodiment of the present provides a self-contained toy panel and connector building set. The set includes a base having a rectangular support surface with four corners. The set includes at least four connectors, each having a height and four longitudinal sides with a longitudinal slot in each longitudinal side. Each of the connectors is positionable adjacent one of the support surface corners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cot assembly that includes a frame, supporting corner pieces and bedding material. The frame is preferably of a one or two piece construction and is shaped into a perimeter defining an interior area. Corner pieces support the frame above an external support surface. The bedding material extends across the interior of the frame and into the corner pieces without any gaps between the material, the frame and corner pieces, thereby protecting against injury which could otherwise result from the presence of such gaps. The continuous frame maintains the cot's rigidity while the corner pieces lower the cot's profile for stacking. The cot includes at least a number of corner pieces corresponding to the corners of the polygonal shape. A pedestal extends downwardly from each corner piece to engage the floor or other supporting surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cot assembly that includes a frame, supporting corner pieces and bedding material. The frame is preferably of a one or two piece construction and is shaped into a perimeter defining an interior area. Corner pieces support the frame above an external support surface. The bedding material extends across the interior of the frame and into the corner pieces without any gaps between the material, the frame and corner pieces, thereby protecting against injury which could otherwise result from the presence of such gaps. The continuous frame maintains the cot's rigidity while the corner pieces lower the cot's profile for stacking. The cot includes at least a number of corner pieces corresponding to the corners of the polygonal shape. A pedestal extends downwardly from each corner piece to engage the floor or other supporting surface. In a preferred form, each of the corner pieces includes top and bottom portions defining a slot therebetween for receiving the bedding material.

Abstract: A cot has a sleeping surface that includes bedding material extending between members of a frame. The frame includes a number of rods connected with a number of comer connectors such that the frame forms the shape of a polygon. Each corner connector has a pedestal extending downwardly to engage the floor and support the bedding material above the floor. The corner connectors have a housing and a pair of coupling portions extending from the housing and an inwardly projecting portion. The bedding material extends within the cot frame such that no openings or gaps are formed between the bedding material and the frame. The cot also has a mechanism for maintaining and adjusting the bedding material surface in a taut condition.

Abstract: A novel furniture leg attachment system is provided for attaching legs to articles of furniture, for example chairs. In one embodiment, a furniture member, such as a seat, is provided which defines a slot and a fastener first bore intersecting the slot. The leg member has a tab received within the slot. The tab defines a fastener second bore which is aligned with the fastener first bore when the tab is correctly received within the slot. A fastener is inserted through the fastener first bore and the fastener second bore to retain the tab within the slot. In alternate embodiments, the leg member may have two, three or more tabs, sized and shaped to fit within corresponding slots in the furniture member. In one embodiment, a smooth fastener such as a peg is used to retain the tabs within the slots, allowing easy assembly. Locking means device may be included to retain the fastener in place and to make disassembly difficult.

Abstract: A portable cushion to use with a chair having a seat with upwardly extending elements which may be hip supports or arm rests on each side of the seat having a material thickness sufficient to raise the seating area above the plane of the arm rests or hip supports so as to effectively increase the seating area of the seat. The cushion includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a forward wall, a rearward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, the respective wall defining a material thickness. The first side wall and the second side wall each have an indentation formed therein to accommodate the upwardly extending arm rest or hip support when the cushion is placed upon the seat of the chair. The material thickness of the cushion is such that the upper wall of the cushion extends at least to the height of the upwardly extending elements thereby effectively creating a wider seat, unencumbered by the upwardly extending elements.

Abstract: A light table having a table top surface fabricated of translucent or transparent polymer material, one surface being of a smooth and planar configuration, while the alternative surface may include a series of integral sockets, and into which various light blocks or game pieces may insert, and be built up into structured configurations. The smooth table top surface may be used with planar light transmitting pieces, tinted to various colors, be either translucent or transparent in configuration, and through their combination can provide both pleasure through their usage, and a source of education to the child regarding light and its transmission and color mixing to attain various coloration. The light blocks may be fabricated as fiber optics, and scintillating fiber optics, or of translucent material, to enhance the transmission of light emanating from the illuminating lamps provided within the interchangeable table top surfaces of this invention. The light table may incline.

Abstract: A storage unit, in the category of a cabinet, bookcase, locker and cubby, as provided which includes a frame defining top, bottom, and side walls to the storage unit. At least one shelf member and at least one shelf supporting member are received in the frame to divide the frame into separate storage cubicles or lockers. The frame is made from two blanks. A first blank forms the top and at least a part of the sides. The second blank forms at least a part of the bottom and may form a part of the sides. Each blank, as well as the shelves and shelf supports, are made from a core having upper and lower surfaces which are covered with a coating. The coating extends beyond edges of the blanks to define a channel which receives a finishing piece. Grooves are formed in the top blank to define bending points and separate the what will be the top of the frame from the sides of the frame. Shallower grooves are formed in the first and second blanks and define one guide channels for the shelves and shelf supports.

Abstract: A safe and stackable molded plastic chair having a structurally reinforced molded plastic body portion comprised of an integral seat and back rest employing generally curvilinear lines. An integral molded plastic mounting boss, having a hole formed therethrough, is formed on each corner of the seat. An arch-shaped, tubular plastic leg element having two legs is attached to each side of the seat by bolts inserted through the holes in the bosses. The bolt head seats in a recess formed in the boss. The bolt engages an arcuately shaped combination brace and fastener element situated with the tubular leg adjacent each mounting boss. During assembly, the brace and fastener element is positioned within the tubular leg by a removable, elongated magnetic or threaded rod until the bolt is sufficiently tight to draw the leg against the boss. The rod is removed leaving no exposed mounting hardware. A plug is inserted in the open end of each leg and a plastic sleeve covers the plug and leg end.

Abstract: A table includes a table top made of a light weight core covered with a washable coating or liner. The liner extends beyond the edges of the core to define a channel which receives finishing pieces which provide the table edge with a curved surface. A metal framework is received in channels in the bottom of the table surface. Leg receiving bosses are fixed to the framework. The table's legs are threadably secured to the table top via the bosses. This provides a table which is light weight and which may be shipped flat.