초록 ▼

Building elements for constructing a play structure comprise polyethylene members. In one embodiment, the members are extruded cylinders and include notches or other interlocking features. In another embodiment, the members are flat panels and include notches, teeth, apertures or other interlocking

Building elements for constructing a play structure comprise polyethylene members. In one embodiment, the members are extruded cylinders and include notches or other interlocking features. In another embodiment, the members are flat panels and include notches, teeth, apertures or other interlocking features. A play structure comprises a plurality of the building elements connected to one another. In one embodiment, the play structure comprises a cabin. Walls of the cabin are constructed by interlocking elongate wall elements. The cabin includes a roof constructed from interlocked flat panels or slats. A roof support elevates the roof over the walls and connects the roof to the walls. A method of constructing a play structure comprises assembling a plurality of the building elements.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Structural building elements for use in building a play structure from a plurality of said structural building elements, said structural building elements comprising:an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially cylindrical shape, said cylindrical element including at least one inter

1. Structural building elements for use in building a play structure from a plurality of said structural building elements, said structural building elements comprising:an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially cylindrical shape, said cylindrical element including at least one interlocking notch permitting connection of said cylindrical element to another cylindrical element by interlocking corresponding notches of said elements oriented lengthwise perpendicular to each other; an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially planar panel shape, said planar element including at least one interlocking link permitting connection of said planar element to another planar element, and at least one aperture; an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially triangular panel shape, said triangular shape having at least one acute angle, said triangular element including at least one interlocking link and one interlocking link notch permitting connection of said triangular element to another triangular element by insertion of interlocking link into interlocking link notch, at least one interlocking notch permitting connection of said triangular element to said cylindrical element by interlocking notch of triangular element with corresponding notch of cylindrical element oriented perpendicular to each other, and one tooth extending outward permitting connection of said triangular element with a planar element by insertion of said tooth into aperture in said planar element; an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially cylindrical shape, said cylindrical element including at least one interlocking notch permitting connection of said cylindrical element to another cylindrical element by interlocking corresponding notches of said elements oriented lengthwise perpendicular to each other one or more end notches, and one or more intermediate notches at an acute angle offset from the end notches, said angle corresponding to one of the acute angles of the triangular panel element, said intermediate notches permitting connection with another cylindrical element by interlocking corresponding notches of said cylindrical elements oriented lengthwise perpendicular to each other, and an expanded polyethylene building element of substantially square panel shape, said square element including at least one interlocking link and one interlocking link notch permitting connection of said square element to another square element by insertion of interlocking link into interlocking link notch, and at least one tooth extending outward permitting connection of said square element with a planar element by insertion of said tooth into aperture in said planar element. 2. The structural building elements in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elements are extruded.3. The structural building element in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said element is colored in accordance with its element type according to a predetermined color scheme.4. A play structure which may be constructed from a plurality of building elements comprising:a plurality of wall elements, said wall elements comprising generally elongated cylindrical elements, said elements comprising extruded polyethylene, having one or more interlocking notches and connectable to form at least two upstanding walls of a structure by interlocking corresponding notches of said elements oriented lengthwise perpendicular to each other; a plurality of roof elements, said roof elements comprising generally elongated rectangular planar elements, said elements comprising extruded polyethylene and said roof elements interconnectable to form a roof; a plurality of roof support elements, said roof support elements comprising generally triangular planar elements having at least one acute angle, said roof support elements comprising extruded polyethylene and said roof support elements connectable to produce an expanded triangular element connected to said roof elements to support said roof above said walls; a plurality of chimney elements, said chimney elements comprising generally square planar elements, said chimney elements comprising extruded polyurethane and said chimney elements interconnectable to form a cube-shaped chimney and connectable to said roof elements to sit atop said formed roof; at least one topmost side wall element, said element comprising generally elongated cylindrical element, said element comprising extruded polyethylene and connectable to become the topmost element of an upstanding wall of a structure, said element comprising end notches and one or more intermediate notches, at an acute angle offset from the end notches, said angle corresponding to one of the acute angles of said roof support element, said intermediate notches connectable with another cylindrical element; and a plurality of interlocking elements, said interlocking elements comprising cylindrical elements, said elements comprising extruded polyurethane, having one or more pair of diametrically opposed interlocking notches and connectable to one or more said wall elements to retain two or more such wall elements in adjacent parallel position, and connectable to said topside wall elements at an ascending angle to form an intermediate support for said roof elements; whereby a play structure may be created having upwardly extending walls supporting a roof, said walls and roof defining an interior area of said structure within which a person may enter. 5. The play structure in accordance with claim 4 having means for connecting one or more of said roof slats comprises at least one interlocking tooth extending from one roof slat for engagement with at least one interlocking notch formed in another roof slat.6. The play structure in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means for connecting said roof elements to said roof support elements having at least one tooth extending outward from at least one of said roofs support elements for engagement with at least one aperture formed in one of said roof elements.7. The play structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said play structure has three walls formed from said wall elements, said walls comprising a pair of spaced side walls and a single end wall, said side walls extending generally perpendicular to said end wall, and a front construction comprising a single wall element at the lowest level and interlocking elements at ascending levels, said wall element and interlocking elements cooperating to provide structural support and shape retention.8. The play structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said roof element include at least four main roof slats each having a pair of sides and a pair of ends, said pair of ends sides and one of said sides being generally straight, and the other of said sides including at least one element for connecting said roof slats to a connecting roof slat, and at least a pair of connector roof slats, each having a pair of sides and a pair of ends, for each said connector roof slat said ends being generally straight and both of said sides including at least one element for connecting said connector roof slat to a main roof slat.9. The play structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least one element of said main roof slat comprises at least one outwardly extending pin.10. The play structure in accordance with claim 9 wherein at least one element of said connector roof slat comprises at least one notch for accepting said pin.11. A method of constructing a play structure comprising;forming at least two upwardly extending walls, each said upwardly extending wall formed from a plurality of wall elements arranged vertically, adjacent wall elements including end notches and connecting to one another through said end notches, said wall elements comprising elongated cylindrically shaped elements; positioning at least one topmost wall element as the highest element on at least one of said formed walls, said topmost wall element including one or more end notches and one or more intermediate notches at acute angle offset from said end notches, said angle corresponding to one of said acute angles of said triangular panel element; positioning at least one pair of roof supports atop at least one said walls and connecting said roof supports to said wall elements at the end notches of said wall element; positioning at least one intermediate roof support atop at least one said wall, said intermediate roof support interconnected with said topmost wall element at an intermediate notch; and forming a roof extending over at least a portion of a space between said at least two said walls, said roof comprising a plurality of generally planar elements, one or more of said planar elements mounted upon at least one said roof support and one or more said intermediate roof support cooperating with said roof support to support said planar elements, whereby a play structure is created having a generally enclosed interior within which a person may enter, said generally enclosed interior defined by at least two said upwardly ascending walls and said roof. 12. The method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said wall elements have at least one end having a notch formed therein and said adjacent wall elements are connected to one another by positioning an interlocking element between them, said interlocking element having a pair of opposing notches for engagement with said notches on the ends of said adjacent wall elements.13. The method in accordance with claim 11 including the step of forming a pair of opposing side walls having a first end and a second end, and at least one end wall, connecting two pair of said roof supports together to form a front expanded triangular roof structure, and a rear expanded triangular roof structure; andthe step of connecting said front expanded triangular roof structure to said first end of said side walls, and said rear expanded triangular roof structure to said second end of said side walls. 14. The method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said step of forming said roof comprises connecting opposing ends of each element with said front and rear expanded triangular roof structure.15. The method in accordance with claim 14 wherein said front and rear expanded triangular roof structures are generally triangular in shape, having a first sloping edge and a second sloping edge and a plurality of elements are supported by said first sloping edge of said front and rear expanded triangular roof structures and define a first downwardly extending roof portion and said plurality of elements are supported by said second sloping edge of said front and rear expanded triangular roof structures and define a second downwardly extending roof portion, and including the step of connecting said roof elements to one another to form a first roof portion, and connecting said roof elements to one another to form a second roof portion, and connecting said first roof portion to said first front and rear sloping edges and connecting said second roof portion to said second front and rear sloping edges.