Thorley Exhibit No. 1009
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`U.S. Patent
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`6,004,182
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`6,004,182
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`U.S. Patent
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`ec. 21, 1999
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`3 of3
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`6,004,182
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`F|G.7
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`6,004,182
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`1
`TEMPORARY STRUCTURE
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`This invention relates to a temporary structure, that is, a
`structure which can be assembled and dismantled at will.
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`Although many applications are possible, a contemplated
`use of the invention is for the amusement of children.
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`For many years, popular children’s toys have included
`Erector sets, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and variations
`thereof which permitted children to assemble structures of
`various kinds. It is also well known that children enjoy larger
`scale structures that they can enter and play in, including
`tent-like and house-like structures.
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`Particularly in connection with such larger scale
`structures, it is highly desirable to achieve parts which are
`fairly easy to assemble but which, at the same time, repre-
`sent something of a challenge to the skill and imagination of
`children.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`This invention involves temporary structures which can
`be assembled and dismantled with relative ease. The struc-
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`tures of the invention may have numerous applications but
`are particularly adapted for use by children for amusement
`purposes.
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`The structures of this invention comprise a plurality of
`panels which may be formed of plastic, canvas, or from a
`variety of fabrics. Rod formations are associated with the
`panels along at least some edges thereof. Joining devices
`consisting of elongated frame members are provided with
`openings for removably receiving the rod formations along
`with the associated panel edges. Connectors are utilized for
`receiving the respective frame ends. By providing a plurality
`of openings in the connectors for receiving different frame
`ends, and by providing a plurality of such connectors,
`numerous temporary structural configurations can be
`achieved.
`Where the invention is utilized for the amusement of
`children, structures such as simulated forts, houses, tents,
`tunnels, caves, etc. can be readily achieved. In this regard,
`the shapes of the fabric panels may vary considerably to
`achieve different configurations. The invention could be
`employed using plans for achieving a particular design, and
`it may also be used in a fashion where the final configuration
`is left solely to the skill and imagination of the child using
`the invention.
`
`The invention may be manufactured in miniature so that
`toy figures, cars, etc. may be moved in and out by a child.
`On the other hand,
`it
`is contemplated that a significant
`application would involve parts large enough so that the
`children will enter the structure. Even larger scale applica-
`tion is possible for use by adults for more practical purposes.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temporary structure
`assembled in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a
`connector and associated joining frame member used in the
`practice of the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a joining frame member;
`FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative form of a
`joining frame member;
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 5—5
`of FIG. 2;
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`2
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of a fabric panel and
`associated rod formation used in the practice of the inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 6A is a fragmentary detail view of an alternative
`form of rod formation;
`FIG. 6B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating
`a still further form of rod formation; and,
`FIG. 7 is a plan view of one form of panel used in the
`practice of the invention.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
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`FIG. 1 illustrates a temporary structure 10 embodying the
`features of the invention. This structure is composed of a
`plurality of panels 12 which are interconnected by means of
`joining frame members 14 and connectors 16.
`The structure shown in FIG. 1 may be considered a
`simulated house and garage with interconnecting passage-
`way. As suggested by the phantom lines, the size of the
`structure is totally variable. Similarly, entry can be had by
`simply leaving an entire side open, or by excluding one or
`more of the panels 12. The size of the panels may vary from
`a few inches to a few feet depending on the ultimate use
`contemplated.
`FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the connectors 16 and joining frame
`members 14 in greater detail. The latter comprise essentially
`members of rectangular cross-section having lengths which
`will vary depending on the length of the side edges of panels
`12. These frame members are shown in a straight form but
`could readily be curved to add still further variations to the
`structures to be formed.
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`The connectors 16 consist of blocks defining a plurality of
`openings 18. These openings are dimensioned to snugly
`receive the ends of frame members 14 as shown in FIG. 2.
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`Receipt of these ends in a snug fashion is facilitated by the
`provision of slots 20 which are defined between ribs 21, 23
`and 25 which extend the depth of the respective openings 18.
`The ends of the frame members are preferably dimensioned
`to at least slightly exceed the dimensions of openings 18 so
`that a force fit is required. The slots 20 insure that these ends
`can be inserted.
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`The frame members 14 are preferably formed of plastic.
`For example, medium density polyethylene with a UV
`stabilizer and similar materials readily lend themselves to
`extrusion operations permitting economical production of
`the frame members.
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`Such materials would also be suitable for molding the
`connectors 16. In this regard, the connectors may comprise
`two identical molded parts secured face-to-face to achieve
`the final form. FIG. 5 illustrates one face of such a part
`including planar face areas 15 surrounding hollow interior
`17, and any suitable adhesive may be used to join these face
`areas with the corresponding face areas of the other molded
`connector part. The face areas join along line 13 as shown
`in FIG. 2.
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`FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate details of a panel 12. The body of
`this panel may comprise a thin vinyl sheet, a canvas
`material, any of various fabrics, or any of several compa-
`rable synthetic or natural materials. FIG. 1 illustrates the
`panels in square, rectangular and triangular form, but it will
`be apparent that other shapes can easily be accommodated.
`A tubular rod formation 22 is formed integrally with a
`skirt 24, and the skirt 24 is thermoplastically secured to the
`panel 12. For example, if the panel is formed of a polyvinyl
`sheet and the rod formation and skirt are formed of an
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`6,004,182
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`extruded polyvinyl material, pressing of these parts together
`while applying heat will result in a secure bond.
`In the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and
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`6B, the panel 12 includes side edges which are sewn or
`otherwise formed to provide hems which serve as pockets
`for stiffening and supporting rods. In FIG. 6A, a rod 27 of
`solid cross-section is shown while in FIG. 6B, the rod 29
`comprises a hollow tube.
`As best shown in FIG. 4, each of the joining frame
`members 14 includes a plurality of slots 28 on its outer
`surface. Each slot extends inwardly to an enlarged receptacle
`area 30. The receptacle areas 30 are dimensioned for receiv-
`ing the rod formations 22 or a rod 27 or 29 with the
`associated fabric material. Thus, the rod formations or rods
`are adapted to be forced through the slots 28 and then seated
`within the receptacle areas 30. The use of extruded plastic
`for forming the frame members is particularly suitable for
`achieving this function in view of the resilient character
`thereof, and where a tubular rod or rod formation is utilized,
`additional resilience is available to achieve secure assembly.
`Alternatively, the rod and associated fabric may be inserted
`from one end of a frame member and slid into position.
`FIG. 4 illustrates frame member 14 as having a generally
`rectangular cross-section. FIG. 4A illustrates a frame mem-
`ber 14a of generally circular cross-section, and it will be
`appreciated that other variations are possible.
`The rods associated with the panels 12 will normally vary
`in length depending on the length of the frame members with
`which the panels are associated. It is contemplated, however,
`that shorter panels will be used if, for example, one desires
`to simulate a window in a structure side wall.
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`Where the frame members and panels are essentially
`coextensive, the slots 20 of connectors 16 receive the panel
`corners. This provides an especially neat appearance for any
`structure produced.
`It will be understood that various modifications may be
`made in the structures of the invention without departing
`from the spirit
`thereof particularly as described in the
`following claims.
`That which is claimed is:
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`1. Atemporary structure consisting of a plurality of panels
`defining side edges, rod formations attached along at least
`some of said side edges of said panels, joining devices
`having opposite ends and including elongated slots extend-
`ing intermediate said ends, said slots receiving said rod
`formations, and connectors defining openings for receiving
`said ends of said joining devices, said connectors being
`positioned at intersections for said joining devices, at least
`some of said connectors having a plurality of said openings
`extending at different angles whereby the panels can be
`selectively located to form structures of different shapes.
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`2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said rod
`formations comprise either tubular or solid members.
`3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said joining
`devices comprise elongated extruded plastic frame members
`which are either circular or noncircular in cross section, and
`wherein said openings defined by said connectors have a
`cross section corresponding in shape to and slightly smaller
`than the cross section of the frame members for achieving a
`snug fitting relationship when said ends are received in said
`openings.
`4. A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
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`slots defined by said joining devices extend substantially
`completely along the length of said devices, and wherein
`said rod formations extend substantially completely along
`the lengths of the edges of said panels.
`5. Astructure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rod
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`formations extend along each of the edges of said panels.
`6. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said joining
`devices comprise a receptacle for said rod formations
`defined adjacent each slot and inwardly thereof, said joining
`devices being formed of a resilient material, and wherein
`said rod formations are adapted to be pushed through said
`slots for receipt within an adjacent receptacle.
`7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said joining
`devices comprise extruded plastic tubes.
`8. A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
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`panels are of both rectangular and nonrectangular shape.
`9. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said connec-
`tors comprise molded plastic blocks.
`10. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said rod
`formations are formed of plastic.
`11. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said panels
`are formed from natural or synthetic materials, or from
`combinations thereof.
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`12. Astructure according to claim 3 wherein the side walls
`of the openings defined by said connectors define slots
`whereby the openings are adapted to expand upon entry of
`the end of a joining device.
`13. A structure according to claim 12 wherein said slots
`receive the corners of panels supports on frame members
`having the ends thereof received in connector openings.
`14. A structure according to claim 12 wherein said con-
`nectors comprise two molded parts each defining a face
`portion,
`the respective face portions being adhesively
`secured together, at least some of some openings and slots
`being formed upon securing the face portions.
`15. A structure according to claim 9 wherein said con-
`nectors comprise molded plastic blocks which resiliently
`hold said ends of the joining devices.
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