Jungle gym

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a jungle gym for a small child playing indoors.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A jungle gym is constituted by edges of connecting bars, combined mutually as two or more cube type frame bodies pieced together.

[0006] Since the jungle gym is large-sized, while not using it, it will become obstructive. Then, as for the jungle gym used indoors, it is common to render the jungle gym to be demountable in order to make storage space small. However, when using the jungle gym again, it has to be assembled and the work is complicated.

[0007] Then, an object of the present invention is to provide a jungle gym requiring a small storage space and easy assembly.

[0008] In order to accomplish the above-described object, in one aspect of the present invention, a jungle gym comprises a main frame body comprising connecting bars extending vertically or horizontally. The main frame body has a shape of at least one of an approximate cube and an approximate rectangular parallelepiped as a whole by connecting the connecting bars. The jungle gym also comprises a sub-frame body that is attached to the main frame body and turnable around one of connecting bars of the main frame body or around an axis being parallel to the one of connecting bars. The sub-frame body is capable of folding along the main frame body. Although the sub-frame body in this case is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the sub-frame body may have an L-like portion when seeing from a direction of a turning axis of the sub-frame body, and the L-like portion may be folded along two sides of the main frame body to overlap with the two sides. The connecting bar may be joined or connected mutually to form the approximate cube or the approximate rectangular parallelepiped of the main frame body. The sub-frame body may have a plurality of approximate squares or approximate rectangles, which are formed by joining or connecting the connecting bars extending vertically or horizontally.

[0009] According to the jungle gym, the sub-frame body may be folded along the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space or when it is not used, while the sub-frame body may be deployed or unfolded from the main frame body at the time of use.

[0010] The jungle gym may further comprise a connecting turn bar that is attached to at least one of the main frame body and the sub-frame body, and capable of turning along a vertical plane or a horizontal plane and of folding to overlap with an adjacent connecting bar. The connecting turn bar may be bridged between the main frame body and the sub-frame body and connected detachably to a rest of the main frame body and the sub-frame body by a joint. The connecting turn bar may be attached to a corner of the main frame body or the sub-frame body.

[0011] FIGS. 1A to 1F are conceptual views of the jungle gym, showing a frame body 100 shown with diagonal lines as the main frame body. A sub-frame body 200 is provided next to the main frame body 100. The main frame body 100 and the sub-frame body 200 are connected by a connecting turn bar 300.

[0012] According to the jungle gym, the sub-frame body may be folded along the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space. At the time of use, the sub-frame body may be unfolded from the main frame body, and then the connecting turn bar may connect the sub-frame body and the main frame body.

[0013] The jungle gym may comprise two or more sub-frame bodies.

[0014] FIGS. 2A to 2H are conceptual views of the jungle gym, wherein a frame body 100 shown with diagonal lines represents the main frame body, and a sub-frame body 200 is provided next to the main frame body 100. Connecting turn bars 300 connect the main frame body 100 and the sub-frame body 200.

[0015] According to the jungle gym, the sub-frame body may be folded along the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space. At the time of use, the sub-frame body may be unfolded from the main frame body, and then the connecting turn bars may connect the sub-frame body and the main frame body.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a jungle gym comprises a main frame body comprising connecting bars extending vertically or horizontally. The main frame body has a shape of at least one of an approximate cube and an approximate rectangular parallelepiped as a whole by uniting the connecting bars. The jungle gym also comprises a plurality of sub-frame bodies that is attached to the main frame body and capable of turning along a vertical plane or a horizontal plane. The sub-frame body is capable of folding along the main frame body. The jungle gym further comprises a connecting turn bar that is attached to at least one of the main frame body and the sub-frame body, and that is capable of turning along a vertical plane or a horizontal plane and of folding to overlap with an adjacent connecting bar. The connecting turn bar is bridged at least one of between the main frame body and the sub-frame body and between the sub-frame bodies, and the connecting turn bar is connected detachably thereto by a joint.

[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B are conceptual views of the jungle gym, showing a frame body 100 as the main frame body shown with diagonal lines. A sub-frame body 200 is provided next to the main frame body 100. Connecting turn bars 300 connect the sub-frame bodies 200.

[0018] According to the jungle gym, the sub-frame body may be folded along the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space. At the time of use, the sub-frame body may be unfolded from the main frame body, and then the connecting turn bars may connect the sub-frame bodies.

[0019] The jungle gym may further comprise two turn frames, each being attached independently to two parallel connecting bars among the connecting bars of the main frame body. The two turn frames may be capable of turning along a plane, which is perpendicular to the two connecting bars, and of moving into a storage position in the main frame body. The jungle gym may further comprise a connecting turn bar that is attached to at least one turn frame and is capable of folding to overlap with an adjacent connecting bar. The connecting turn bar may be bridged between the two turn frames when the connecting turn bar is unfolded. The connecting turn bar may be detachably connected to the other turn frame by a joint. The turn frame may have connecting bars and a U-like or an L-like shape, which may be formed by joining or connecting the connecting bars.

[0020] FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual views of the jungle gym. A frame body 100 shown with diagonal lines represents the main frame body. The main frame body 100 is provided with turn frames 400. Connecting turn bars 300 connect the turn frames 400.

[0021] According to the jungle gym, the turn frames may be folded to the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space. At the time of use, the turn frames may be unfolded from the main frame body, and then the connecting turn bars may connect the turn frames.

[0022] The jungle gym may also comprise two turn frames, each being attached independently to two parallel connecting bars among the connecting bars of the main frame body and the sub-frame body. The turn frames may be capable of turning along a plane, which is perpendicular to the two connecting bars, and of moving into a storage position in a frame body including the connecting bars. The jungle gym may further comprise a connecting turn bar that is attached to at least one turn frame, and that is capable of folding to overlap with an adjacent connecting bar. The connecting turn bar may be bridged between the two turn frames when the connecting turn bar is unfolded, and then to be detachably connected to the other turn frame by a joint.

[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual views of the jungle gym. A frame body 100 shown with diagonal lines represents the main frame body, and a frame body 200 represents the sub-frame body. Both the main frame body 100 and the sub-frame body 200 are provided with turn frames 400. Connecting turn bars 300 connect the turn frames 400.

[0024] According to the jungle gym, the turn frame may be folded along the main frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space. At the time of use, the turn frame may be unfolded from the main frame body, and then the connecting turn bars may connect the turn frames.

[0025] With the jungle gym, the sub-frame body may be capable of being unfolded beside the main frame body. The jungle gym may further comprise a board that is attached to an upper connecting bar of the sub-frame body and turnable along a vertical plane. The board may be capable of folding to overlap with the sub-frame body and of being held horizontally by a support by other connecting bar.

[0026] According to the jungle gym, the board may be folded to overlap with the sub-frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space, while at the time of use, the board may be unfolded from the sub-frame body.

[0027] The jungle gym may further comprise a slide that is attached to an upper connecting bar of the sub-frame body and turnable along a vertical plane. The slide may be capable of folding along the sub-frame body and telescopic. A folding leg may be provided to a back side of the slide.

[0028] According to the jungle gym, the slide may be folded to the sub-frame body when the jungle gym is put away on a storage space, while at the time of use, the slide may be unfolded from the sub-frame body.

[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like references refer to like parts and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1A is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 1B is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 1A;

[0032] FIG. 1C is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 1D is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 1C;

[0034] FIG. 1E is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 1F is a bottom view of the jungle gym of FIG. 1E;

[0036] FIG. 2A is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 2B is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 2A;

[0038] FIG. 2C is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2D is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 2C;

[0040] FIG. 2E is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the jungle gym of FIG. 2E;

[0042] FIG. 2G is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2H is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 2G;

[0044] FIG. 3A is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 3B is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 3A;

[0046] FIG. 4A is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the jungle gym of FIG. 4A;

[0048] FIG. 5A is a conceptual perspective view of a jungle gym according to an example of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 5B is a front view of the jungle gym of FIG. 5A;

[0050] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a jungle gym according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing that the jungle gym is unfolded;

[0051] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a hinge of the jungle gym of FIG. 6A;

[0052] FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of a hinge of the jungle gym of FIG. 6A;

[0053] FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of a joint of the jungle gym of FIG. 6A;

[0054] FIG. 6E is an enlarged view of a joint of the jungle gym of FIG. 6A;

[0055] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the jungle gym of FIG. 6A, showing that it is folded;

[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an assembling process for the jungle gym according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

[0057] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of an assembling process for the jungle gym according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Hereinafter, a jungle gym according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

[0059] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a jungle gym according to the present invention, showing that the jungle gym is unfolded. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing that the jungle gym of FIG. 6A is folded. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views showing examples of assembling processes for the jungle gym shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] This jungle gym has a main frame body 10, sub-frame bodies 20, an upper frame body 30, and a slide 40. The sub-frame bodies 20 are successively connected to the main frame body 10 in a horizontal direction (the X direction, as shown in FIG. 6A) of the main frame body 10. The upper frame body 30 is successively connected to the main frame body 10 in an upward direction (the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 6A) of the main frame body 10. The slide 40 engages with one sub-frame body 20.

[0061] The main frame body 10 has four connecting bars 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11darranged in the X direction, four connecting bars 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12darranged in the Y direction, and four connecting bars 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13darranged in the Z direction. Each edge of the connecting bars is connected mutually, so that the main frame body 10 has a shape of an approximate cube.

[0062] The sub-frame bodies 20 are connected to the edges of the connecting bars 13aand 13cof the main frame body 10 respectively, so that the sub-frame bodies 20 will turn freely around the connecting bars 13aand 13c. Two connecting bars 21aand 21bof the sub-frame bodies 20 extend from the edges of respective connecting bars 13aand 13cin the X direction and are connected to the edges of respective connecting bars 13aand 13cthrough hinges 1 (refer to enlarged view, as shown in FIG. 6B). A connecting bar 22ain the Z direction connects free edges of the connecting bars 21aand 21bmutually. Two connecting bars 23aand 23bextend from both edges of the connecting bar 22ain the Y direction and are combined with the both edges of the connecting bar 22a. A connecting bar 22bin the Z direction connects free edges of the connecting bars 23aand 23bmutually. Thus, by these connecting bars 21a, 21b, 22a, 23a, 23band 22b, the sub-frame body 20 has a shape of an L when seeing from above.

[0063] In addition, in this jungle gym, a connecting bar 22cin the Z direction, which connects mutually the edges of the connecting bars 21aand 21b, intervenes therebetween. This connecting bar 22cis for reinforcement.

[0064] With this sub-frame body 20, an upper edge of connecting bar (a connecting turn bar or a movable connecting bar) 21c, which pivots freely on the connecting bar 23a, is attached to a free edge of the connecting bar 23athrough a hinge 2 (refer to an enlarged view, as shown in FIG. 6C). One part 3aof a joint 3 is disposed at the nose of the connecting bar 21c, while the other part 3bof the joint 3 is disposed at the upper edge of the connecting bar 13bof the main frame body 10 in the Z direction, the connecting bar 13bfacing to the connecting bar 21c(refer to an enlarged view, as shown in FIG. 6D). The one part 3aof the joint 3 has a loop that is revolved freely and fitted loosely around the connecting bar 21cand that slides freely in the direction of an axis of the connecting bar 21c. A female screw is formed in an inner surface of the loop. The other part 3bof the joint 3 has a projection, and a male screw is formed in an outer surface of this projection.

[0065] The connecting bar 21cis connected with the main frame body 10 by screwing the loop 3aof the joint 3 into the projection 3bof the joint 3. On the other hand, when the jungle gym is folded or collapsed, the one part 3aof the joint 3 is released from the other part 3bof the joint 3 in the main frame body 10, then the connecting bar 21cis turned downward to fold so as to overlap with the connecting bar 22b. Thus, the connecting bars 21cand 22bare disposed side by side.

[0066] The upper frame body 30 includes turn frames 30aand 30a. The upper frame body 30 comprises two couples of connecting bars 31aand 31b, and 31cand 31dattached to each edge of the two connecting bars 11dand 11cof the main frame body 10, while the connecting bars 31aand 31b, and 31cand 31dare capable of turning freely around the connecting bars lid and 11c, respectively. The upper frame body 30 also comprises connecting bars 32aand 32bin the X direction, connecting free edges of the two couples of connecting bars 31aand 31b, and 31cand 31dmutually. The upper frame body 30 also comprises connecting bars (connecting turn bars or movable connecting bars) 33aand 33b, each one edge of which is attached to each free edge of the connecting bars 31band 31d, which are one of each couple of connecting bars 31aand 31b, and 31cand 31d. The connecting bars 33aand 33bturn freely around the connecting bars 31band 31d. At the other edge of the each connecting bar 33aand 33b, one part 4aof a joint 4 is disposed, while the other part 4bof the joint 4 is disposed at each free edge of the bars 31aand 31c. Each part 4aof the joint 4 has a loop that revolves freely and fits loosely around the connecting bar 33aor 33band that slides freely in the direction of an axis of the connecting bar 33aor 33b. A female screw is formed in an inner surface of the loop (refer to an enlarged view, as shown in FIG. 6E). The other part 4bof the joint 4 has a projection, and a male screw is formed in an outer surface of this projection.

[0067] The connecting bars 33aand 33bare connected with the connecting bars 31aand 31cby screwing the loops 4aof the joints 4 into the projections 4bof the joints 4. On the other hand, when the loops 4aof the joints 4 on the connecting bars 33aand 33bare released from the projections 4bof the joints 4 in the connecting bars 31aand 31c, the connecting bars 33aand 33bare turned and folded to overlap with the connecting bars 32aand 32b, so that the connecting bars 33aand 33band the connecting bars 32aand 32bwill be disposed side by side. Furthermore, while the connecting bars 31aand 31bare turned below to be received in a space formed by the connecting bars 11d, 13a, 13band 11aof the main frame body 10, the connecting bars 31cand 31dare turned below to be received in a space formed by the connecting bars 11c, 13c, 13dand 11bof the main frame body 10.

[0068] A slide 40 has a board portion 41 and a slide portion 42, and is installed in one sub-frame body 20.

[0069] One side of the board portion 41 is coupled with the connecting bar 23aof the sub-frame body 20, with the board portion 41 turnable, while other sides are disposed on the connecting bar 12dof the main frame body 10 and/or the connecting bars 21aand 21c. This board portion 41 is turned and received in an outer side of a space formed by the connecting bars 23a, 22a, 22band 23b. The slide portion 42 has telescopic portions 42aand 42b, which are joined to each other. One edge of the one portion 42ais attached to the connecting bar 21aof the sub-frame body 20, with the portion 42aturnable around the connecting bar 21a. A folding leg 43, which can turn freely, is arranged in an undersurface of the other portion 42b.

[0070] The portion 42bis pushed into the portion 42a, and the folding leg 43 is folded. Then, when the slide portion 42 is turned, it is received in an outer side of a space formed by the connecting bars 21a, 22a, 22cand 21b.

[0071] The jungle gym is folded as shown in FIG. 7, when it is not used. The sub-frame bodies 20 are folded along the main frame body 10. For unfolding and assembling the jungle gym, at first, both sub-frame bodies 20 are turned around the connecting bars 13aand 13cof the main frame body 10 and expanded as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the connecting bar 21cis turned 90 degrees around the connecting bar 23a, so that the one part 3aof the joint 3 at the nose of the connecting bar 21cis screwed into the other part 3bof the joint 3, which is formed in the main frame body 10 (see FIG. 6D).

[0072] Next, the connecting bars 31a, 31b, 31cand 31dof the upper frame body 30 are turned upward, as shown in FIG. 4, around the connecting bars 11dand 11cof the main frame body 10. Then, the connecting bars 33aand 33bare turned, and respective one parts 4aof the joints 4 at the nose of the connecting bars 33aand 33bare screwed into respective the other parts 4bof the joints 4, which are formed in the connecting bars 31aand 31c(see FIG. 6E). Thereafter, the board portion 41 of the slide 40 is turned 270 degrees around the connecting bar 23aand disposed on the connecting bars 21aand 21cor the connecting bar 12dof the main frame body 10. Then, the slide portion 42 of the slide 40 is turned about 60 degrees around the connecting bar 21aof the sub-frame body 20. Further, the portion 42bis drawn out of the portion 42a, and the folding leg 43 is turned to project downward (see FIG. 6A).

[0073] In order to fold or collapse the jungle gym assembled as described above, only adverse operations of the above-mentioned operations may be required.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the board portion 41 and the slide portion 42 of the slide 40 are coupled with the connecting bars 21aand 23aof the sub-frame body 20, respectively, with the board portion 41 and the slide portion 42 turnable freely, and they are turned and received. However, the board portion 41 and the slide portion 42 of the slide 40 may be separated from the sub-frame body 20. After assembling the sub-frame body 20, the board portion 41 may be disposed on and attached to the sub-frame body 20, or the upper edge of the slide portion 42 may be attached to the connecting bar 21a.

[0075] Moreover, with the above-described embodiment, although the slide 40 includes the board portion 41 and the slide portion 42, either the board portion 41 or the slide portion 42 can be used alone.

[0076] According to the jungle gym of the embodiment, since it can be usable when the sub-frame body is unfolded, assembly is easy. Moreover, since it will be in a storage or receipt state when it is folded, storage or receipt is also easy. Furthermore, when it is folded, it will be miniaturized.

[0077] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application (Tokugan) No. 2000-167753 filed on Jun. 5, 2000 including specification, claims, drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.