US3881723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sandbox with superstructure defining a play structure detachably attached thereto
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-07
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A sandbox for children comprised of a basic shell base for the containing of a layer of sand therein, and assorted superstructures adapted for detachable mounting on the shell base in a manner to convert the sandbox into a variety of different imagination stimulating structures, such as boat, a submarine, a fire engine, and the like to thus provide unlimited hours of enjoyment to children in the playing with the various superstructures on the sandbox.
Inventors
- 👤 Vaughn E Boynton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:01
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A super sandbox comprising a basic shell base having a horizontal bottom surface, upright back and front wall surfaces, and upright opposed side wall surfaces, said surfaces defining therebetween a compartment adapted to contain a layer of sand thereiN; a substantially horizontal platform permanently affixed to the top edges of said opposed side wall surfaces at the front end portion of the shell base in a manner extending transversely of the shell base and overlying said compartment defined therein; a plurality of spaced apart apertures defined in said platform and extending vertically therethrough; a superstructure adapted to be detachably attached to said basic shell base and project above the horizontal platform thereof in a manner defining a play structure for children to use in conjunction with the sandbox of the basic shell base, said superstructure consisting of a housing of any desired size and configuration having a top member, side wall members depending downwardly from the top member and terminating in bottom edges, said bottom edges lying co-planar at opposite sides of said housing and adapted to rest said housing on said horizontal platform, each of said terminal edges provided with boss members projecting downwardly therefrom and each of said boss members adapted to be detachably received in one of said apertures of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure mounted on said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A super sandbox comprising a basic shell base having a horizontal bottom surface, upright back and front wall surfaces, and upright opposed side wall surfaces, said surfaces defining therebetween a compartment adapted to contain a layer of sand thereiN; a substantially horizontal platform permanently affixed to the top edges of said opposed side wall surfaces at the front end portion of the shell base in a manner extending transversely of the shell base and overlying said compartment defined therein; a plurality of spaced apart apertures defined in said platform and extending vertically therethrough; a superstructure adapted to be detachably attached to said basic shell base and project above the horizontal platform thereof in a manner defining a play structure for children to use in conjunction with the sandbox of the basic shell base, said superstructure consisting of a housing of any desired size and configuration having a top member, side wall members depending downwardly from the top member and terminating in bottom edges, said bottom edges lying co-planar at opposite sides of said housing and adapted to rest said housing on said horizontal platform, each of said terminal edges provided with boss members projecting downwardly therefrom and each of said boss members adapted to be detachably received in one of said apertures of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure mounted on said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said platform apertures is of a circular configuration, each of said boss members is of an elongated cylindrical configuration adapted to be freely received in said apertures, and each of said boss members has affixed to its projecting free end thereof a resilient retaining member, each retaining member being in the shape of an inverted truncated conical cone having a base portion disposed in confronting relationship with the terminal edge of said housing bottom edge and of a diameter greater than the diameter of said platform apertures, said retaining members adapted to resiliently pass through said platform apertures with said base members engaging the bottom surface of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure to said platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 2 wherein said basic shell base further comprises a seat defining member disposed in said compartment extending transversely thereof adjacent said back wall surface intermediate said side wall surfaces and spaced vertically above said bottom surface, said seat member adapted for use by children in sitting thereon during play with the sandbox.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a cabin of a boat having a horizontal top member, opposed vertically downwardly extending side wall members each provided with a window aperture therein, and a downward vertically extending front wall member having a front facing window aperture provided therein, and a ladder affixed to the back edge of said top member and extending downwardly therefrom with the bottom end of said ladder adapted to rest on the bottom surface of said basic shell base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the form of a submarine simulating housing comprising a vertically extending housing member, a periscope affixed to the top of said housing, a ladder affixed to the side of said housing, and a simulated cannon affixed to the front surface of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a fire truck having a housing projecting vertically, a dome light simulated on the top of said housing, a pair of ladders affixed to opposite sides of said housing and projecting rearwardly therefrom, and a bell affixed to the front surface of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein the basic shell base is about 3 feet in width, about 6 feet in length, and about 9 inches in height.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sandbox as set forth in claim 7 wherein the basic shell base and the superstructure are each manufactured of high density polyethylene plastic material provided in a variety of selectable colors and decorations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |