Multi structural expandable and collapsible imaginary play Matt with automatic articulating mechanism to expand structures
A multi system of structures is disclosed that is readily collapsible and rolled into flat package which can be readily stored in a closet, backpack, or carried. When desired to be set up you roll out a mat. The automatic spring hinges detach and the multi structure system expands ready for imaginary play with small toys or figures. The structures comprise of a canvas like membrane structures with pre-installed spring hinges and levers the canvas structures are mounted to the spring hinges that inherent tension in the spring hinge combined with levers automatically expand the structures into a fully erect positions. The structures can be moved around on the mat with hook and loop fasteners on the bottom of the structures.
This invention relates to imaginary play collapsible/expandable structures and or play mat.
BackgroundThe presented disclosures relates to an imaginary play mat for small toys or figurines with expandable structures. For enthusiasts of imaginary play It can be cumbersome and time-consuming to set up constructing traditional structures for imaginary play. Structures can take a good amount of storage to store that are traditionally made of either plastic or metal this is a space consuming material for storage. Traditional imaginary play mats that have three dimensional structures printed on the mat, giving an illusion of three dimensional imaginary play structures. If there is in fact a three dimensional structure that is incorporated into the imaginary play-mat with the printed three dimensional structures on the mat, there is still assembly involved to build the structures. By snapping or clicking together In a way to erected and or to collapse the structures this can be cumbersome and time-consuming. You need to use mechanisms and snaps to build or to break them down for collapsing.
This invention gives imaginary play individuals a more enjoyable and relatively inexpensive recreational indulge of imaginary family play experience. Imaginary play enthusiasts do not have to pre assemble or snap anything together. The structures have an automatic mechanism that when you roll out the mat. The structures actually pop up, similar to what you could see in a pop-up book when opening it the structures expand. An imaginary player can begin instantaneously saving time by simply rolling out the mat for play. These structures on the play mat can be moved around and positioned in various spots on the mat with a hook and loop fasteners, enhancing the players imaginary play. When play time has concluded the structures can be easily collapsed and rolled back into the mat for storage in a very thin flat pliable piece of mat, that does not take much storage space.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONIn object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and expandable imaginary play area. Consisting of multiple expandable structures constructed of a canvas like membrane that have four corners and need no prior construction or assembly. When you simply roll out the pliable mat that is of a fiber membrane with four corners. The structures with four corners have a front wall member that have slots for one half of a scissor spring articulating mechanisms lever to be stitched or glued into place, and two slots on the bottom side wall members for the other half lever of the scissor spring articulating mechanisms to be stitched or glued into place. When this mat is unrolled from storage the spring articulating mechanisms allow the four corner canvas like membrane structures to automatically fully expand. Once the mat is fully rolled out the structures can be moved around for imaginary play by detaching it with a hook and loop fiber fastener that is adhered to the bottom one of the spring articulating mechanism levers. The imaginary play structures have three walls and roof, they have an open back to allow imaginary play with the structures. The canvas like edges and roof have additional support with a foam like membrane stitched into the canvas like fabric membrane for structural support. When play is concluded storing the canvas like structures then can be easily collapsed flat. In the correct manner can be easily laid down on the pliable mat. The mat then can be rolled up for easy storage and ease of transportation of the mat for play. This creates a substantially thin rolled package that can be readily stored in a closet, backpack, or for easy transportation. The invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention presented below.
In the detailed description of the invention. Presented below references to the accompanying drawings, in which.
For the purpose of this disclosure, referenced numbers may be used to refer to components found in any of the figures, regardless whether those reference numbers are shown in the figures being described. Farther where a reference number includes a letter referring to one of multiple similar components. (e.g., 0a, 0b, 0c, 0e) The reference number may be used without the letter to refer to one or all of the similar components.
With reference to
7b a hook and loop fastener, stitched or glued to the under surface, 7c bottom lever of the spring articulating mechanism. 7b also provides a sturdy attachment to the pliable mat that assists with the collapsing and expanding of the canvas like membrane structures. 7b also allows for movement of the structures within the pliable mat. 7b also allows the user of preferred alignment of the structures spring articulating mechanism and levers on pliable mat to be rolled into the mat when play is concluded. 7 Shows when the spring articulating mechanism is expanded the top and bottom levers of the spring articulating mechanism intersect and lock in place to give the correct tension and angle to allow the canvas like structure to expand and stop at desired angle. 7a. Is an example of a membrane foam or like material that is stitched adhered or glued into the fabric this gives structural integrity to the floating edges of 6f side member walls of the canvas like membrane structure. 6b. is a membrane foam or like material that is stitched adhered or glued into the 7f fabric roof and four corners this gives structural integrity to the roof. 7e Shows the canvas like structures have slots or inserts the spring articulating mechanism lever can be inserted and stitched or glued to the inside of 6e front wall member providing the correct tension needed for the expanding structure. 7d Shows the canvas like structures have slots or inserts the spring articulating mechanism lever can be inserted and stitched or glued to the bottom of 6f inside-side wall member.
Claims
1. What is claimed is a collapsible and expandable multi structure system for children imaginary play: Each structure body of fabric canvas like membrane having four corners. Adhered or stitched foam like material added for proper support and structural integrity. Three walls and roof two spring articulating mechanisms. That attach in two front corners of structured front member wall inserted into slots and two slots on the bottom of two side member walls. To expand and be able to collapse with no assembly of parts. The two corners being applied to a pliable mat that can be collapsed and expanded by rolling into pliable mat for storage and rolled out of pliable mat for imaginary play.
- A collapsible and expandable structure with four corners roof and two corner bottom. Two front wall member corners have slots a spring articulating mechanism levers can be inserted. Two side wall members on the bottom of the structure have slots a spring articulating mechanism levers can be inserted, and stitched, adhered or glued to create the proper expansion, tension, and angle the canvas like fiber membrane structure to expand and collapse.
- Spring articulated mechanisms when compressed are automatically reset to be able to spring open when pliable matt is rolled open. For immediate expandability of structure. Spring articulated mechanisms with levers that intersect on the back of the spring hinge to create the proper stop angle and tension to achieve proper expandability for canvas like membrane structure.
- A method of collapsing and expanding a play imaginary structure for toys and figurines/small figures. Made of a fabric or canvas like membrane with four corners roof and two corner bottom comprising of expandable spring articulated mechanisms. That increased tension conditions on two sides of membrane walls of the structure to allow the expandable structure. The spring articulating mechanism can be compressed flat by separating the intersecting levers on the hinge and that compression will reset the spring for automatic release for expandability to erect canvas like membrane structure.
- Scissor-type spring hinge, a custom design of spring hinge or other configurations. The hinge assembly/linkage, or other configuration. The hinge spring assembly/linkage may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitably strong materials and may include, interchangeable supports may be constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, wood or other suitably strong materials longer or shorter shafts/levers to give support to taller or smaller canvas like membrane structures. With intersecting levers to stop at the proper tension and angle when expanded. One lever of the bottom of the spring articulating mechanism hinge to be attached to the pliable mat with a hook and loop fastener, stitched or glued
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2021
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2023
Inventor: Jason A Amadori (Tucson, AZ)
Application Number: 17/463,536