Patent US4067894A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4569664A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4569664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Playhouse
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-02-02
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2003-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A playhouse, easily assembled by a child of tender years requiring a minimum of parts and no fastening elements, and having a sufficient structural rigidity that it can be picked up and moved without collapsing. The playhouse comprises a plurality of flat structural members, two of which, when assembled, are vertical members adapted to coact and form a self-standing cross member. A third member having passageways therein adapted to register with the first and second members rests on horizontal intersecting surfaces of the vertical members assembled to form the cross member and adds rigidity to the assembly. The third member also has slots in the periphery which register with the vertical members forming the cross member. At least one of the vertical members has one portion spaced from another portion by a horizontal supporting surface. Both spaced portions have a shoulder at one end thereof which projects through slots in a roof panel. The playhouse is held together by interlocking panels and requires no fastening elements. Additional panels can be added. A floor may also be provided which is a flat structural member with slots in the periphery which register with the vertical panels. The playhouse is easily assembled and disassembled. When disassembled, all parts lie flat and occupy a minimal of space.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry F. Giampetruzzi
- 👤 Owen C. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:58
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A playhouse comprising: a. a first vertical structural member; b. a second vertical structural member; c. said second vertical structural member adapted to coact with said first vertical structural member to form a self-standing cross member; d. a horizontal structural member having passages therein adapted to register with the cross members formed by the coaction of the first vertical structural member and the second vertical structural member; e. said first vertical member and said second vertical structural member having horizontal support surfaces adapted to coact with each other to provide intersecting horizontal support surfaces; f. at least one of said first and second vertical support members having vertical portions spaced apart from one another and adapted to register with coacting slots in the periphery of said horizontal member to add rigidity to the assembled horizontal and vertical members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A playhouse comprising: a. a first vertical structural member; b. a second vertical structural member; c. said second vertical structural member adapted to coact with said first vertical structural member to form a self-standing cross member; d. a horizontal structural member having passages therein adapted to register with the cross members formed by the coaction of the first vertical structural member and the second vertical structural member; e. said first vertical member and said second vertical structural member having horizontal support surfaces adapted to coact with each other to provide intersecting horizontal support surfaces; f. at least one of said first and second vertical support members having vertical portions spaced apart from one another and adapted to register with coacting slots in the periphery of said horizontal member to add rigidity to the assembled horizontal and vertical members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 1 including a roof panel having slots therein; the spaced vertical portions of one of the vertical structural members having projecting end portions adapted to extend through the slots in the roof panel and coact with the roof panel to fix the roof panel relative to the other members of the structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 2 including a second horizontal structural member forming a base for said playhouse, said second member having slots in the periphery thereof to receive and coact with end portions of the vertical structural members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second vertical members each have a first vertical portion having a slot therein which engages a horizontal surface of the slot in the other vertical member, said slots each having vertical surfaces adapted to coact with the other vertical member and form a cross piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A playhouse as claimed in claims 1 or 4 wherein said horizontal member has crossed slots in registry with said first and second vertical members forming the cross piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first horizontal member constitutes a second floor of said playhouse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 2 wherein one of said vertical portions of one of the vertical members is longer than another vertical portion whereby when said roof panel is positioned over the ends of said vertical portions, the roof panel slopes; each of said vertical portions of said vertical member having a shoulder portion extending through the slots in said roof panel, said shoulder portion retaining said roof panel and adding rigidity to the structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A playhouse comprising: a. a first vertical structural member; b. a second vertical structural member; c. a third vertical structural member; d. said third vertical structural member adapted to coact with said first and second structural members to form self-standing cross members; e. a horizontal structural member having passages therein adapted to register with the cross members formed by coaction of said first and second cross members with said third vertical structural member; f. said first and second vertical structural members having horizontal support surfaces adapted to coact with corresponding horizontal support surfaces of said third vertical support member to provide intersecting horizontal support surfaces; g. each of said first, second, and third vertical support members having vertical portions separated from one another which are adapted to register with coacting slots in the periphery of said horizontal member to add rigidity to the assembled horizontal and vertical members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A playhouse comprising: a. a first vertical structural member; b. a second vertical structural member; c. a third vertical structural member; d. said third vertical structural member adapted to coact with said first and second structural members to form self-standing cross members; e. a horizontal structural member having passages therein adapted to register with the cross members formed by coaction of said first and second cross members with said third vertical structural member; f. said first and second vertical structural members having horizontal support surfaces adapted to coact with corresponding horizontal support surfaces of said third vertical support member to provide intersecting horizontal support surfaces; g. each of said first, second, and third vertical support members having vertical portions separated from one another which are adapted to register with coacting slots in the periphery of said horizontal member to add rigidity to the assembled horizontal and vertical members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 8 including a roof panel having slots therein and said first and second vertical members have vertical portions with end portions adapted to extend through the slots in the roof panel and fix the roof panel relative to the other members of the structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said first and second vertical structural members has at least one outer vertical portion shorter than another vertical portion and each of said vertical portions has a shoulder end portion which is adapted to extend through the slots in the roof panel whereby the roof panel can slope relative to the horizontal structural member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10 including a second horizontal member having slots in the periphery thereof in registry with the first, second and third structural members and which coact therewith to provide added structural rigidity, said second horizontal member forming a base for said playhouse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said first and second structural members each have a central vertical portion spaced from an outer vertical portion forming a passageway therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said first and second structural members each have a central vertical portion extending higher than and spaced from outer vertical portions; each of said vertical portions having a shoulder portion extending from an end thereof; and at least two roof panels each having slots therein in registry with said extending shoulder portions and adapted to coact therewith to provide a peaked roof for said playhouse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
155 words
A playhouse as claimed in claims 8, 9, or 10 wherein said first and second structural members each have a central vertical portion extending higher than and spaced from outer vertical portions; each of the first and second vertical structural members having a vertical end portion having a sloping edge extending away from said horizontal structural member; each of said end vertical portions having a shoulder portion extending above said sloping edge at the end thereof remote from said horizontal structural member; first and second roof panel each having slots therein in registry with the shoulder portions at the ends of said outer vertical portions to coact therewith and form a peaked roof for said playhouse; and a third roof panel having slots therein in registry with the shoulder portions extending above said sloping edge and coacting therewith to provide a sloping roof forming with said vertical end portions an enclosure open at one end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A playhouse as claimed in claim 8 wherein said horizontal member has crossed slots in registry with said first and second vertical members.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of assembling a playhouse comprising the steps of: a. placing a first structural member having a longitudinal slot therein and supporting surfaces transverse to said slot in an upright position; b. placing a second structural member having a longitudinal slot therein and supporting surfaces transverse to said slot in an upright position transverse to said first structural member with the first and second structural members inserted into the slot in the other member to form a self-standing cross-member; and c. placing a third structural member having crossed passageways therein and slots in the periphery thereof transverse to said first and second structural members with said first and second structural members extending through said crossed passageways and through the slots in the periphery thereof and over said transverse supporting surfaces to form a rigid assembly.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of assembling a playhouse comprising the steps of: a. placing a first structural member having a longitudinal slot therein and supporting surfaces transverse to said slot in an upright position; b. placing a second structural member having a longitudinal slot therein and supporting surfaces transverse to said slot in an upright position transverse to said first structural member with the first and second structural members inserted into the slot in the other member to form a self-standing cross-member; and c. placing a third structural member having crossed passageways therein and slots in the periphery thereof transverse to said first and second structural members with said first and second structural members extending through said crossed passageways and through the slots in the periphery thereof and over said transverse supporting surfaces to form a rigid assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of assembling a playhouse as claimed in claim 16 further including the step of placing a roof panel having slots therein over projecting end portions of one of said first and second structural members.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
318 words
A method of assembling a playhouse comprising the steps of: a. placing on a relatively flat surface a first horizontal member having slots on its opposite sides in the periphery thereof; b. placing a first vertical structural member having vertical portions in registry with the slots in opposite sides of said first horizontal member, said first vertical structural member having a central vertical section spaced apart from said vertical portions and having a longitudinal slot therein, said first vertical structural member having horizontal supporting surfaces between the central vertical section thereof and the vertical portions thereof coaxial with the slots in the horizontal member which are in registry with the said vertical portions; c. placing a second vertical member having vertical portions in registry with slots in opposite sides of the first horizontal member and transverse to said first vertical structural member, said second vertical structural member having a central vertical section spaced apart from said vertical portions thereof, said central section of the second vertical structural member having a longitudinal slot therein in registry with the slot in the central vertical portion of the first vertical member to thereby form a self-sustaining cross member, said second vertical structural member having horizontal supporting surfaces between the central vertical section thereof and the vertical portions thereof coaxial with the slots in the horizontal member which are in registry with the said vertical portions; d. placing a third structural member having crossed passageways therein and slots in the periphery thereof transverse to said first and second structural members and parallel to said first horizontal member with the central vertical portions of said first and second structural members extending through said crossed passageways and with the vertical portions thereof spaced from said central portions extending through the slots in the periphery of said horizontal member; and e. lowering said third structural member over said supporting surfaces to form a rigid assembly.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
318 words
A method of assembling a playhouse comprising the steps of: a. placing on a relatively flat surface a first horizontal member having slots on its opposite sides in the periphery thereof; b. placing a first vertical structural member having vertical portions in registry with the slots in opposite sides of said first horizontal member, said first vertical structural member having a central vertical section spaced apart from said vertical portions and having a longitudinal slot therein, said first vertical structural member having horizontal supporting surfaces between the central vertical section thereof and the vertical portions thereof coaxial with the slots in the horizontal member which are in registry with the said vertical portions; c. placing a second vertical member having vertical portions in registry with slots in opposite sides of the first horizontal member and transverse to said first vertical structural member, said second vertical structural member having a central vertical section spaced apart from said vertical portions thereof, said central section of the second vertical structural member having a longitudinal slot therein in registry with the slot in the central vertical portion of the first vertical member to thereby form a self-sustaining cross member, said second vertical structural member having horizontal supporting surfaces between the central vertical section thereof and the vertical portions thereof coaxial with the slots in the horizontal member which are in registry with the said vertical portions; d. placing a third structural member having crossed passageways therein and slots in the periphery thereof transverse to said first and second structural members and parallel to said first horizontal member with the central vertical portions of said first and second structural members extending through said crossed passageways and with the vertical portions thereof spaced from said central portions extending through the slots in the periphery of said horizontal member; and e. lowering said third structural member over said supporting surfaces to form a rigid assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method assembling a playhouse as claimed in claim 18 including the additional step of placing a roof panel having slots therein over projecting end portions of said first and second structural members.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of assembling a playhouse as claimed in claims 18 or 19 further including the step of placing a third structural member parallel to said first structural member and in registry with slots in opposite sides of said first horizontal member.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of assembling a playhouse as claimed in claims 18 or 19 further including the step of placing at least two roof panels between the projecting ends of said central vertical portions and the vertical portions of one of the vertical portions spaced therefrom to form a peaked roof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
124 words
A kit which can be assembled into a playhouse comprising a plurality of flat structural members, at least two of said structural members each having a portion with a slot therein for receiving the other structural member and at least one portion thereof spaced from the portion with the slot and separated therefrom by a surface portion whereby said members can be placed with their respective slots in registry with the other member to form a self-standing cross member and the surfaces form intersecting supporting surfaces, and at least one other member having passages therein adapted to register with said two structural members which can form the self-standing cross member, and slots in the periphery thereof to receive portions of the first two members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
124 words
A kit which can be assembled into a playhouse comprising a plurality of flat structural members, at least two of said structural members each having a portion with a slot therein for receiving the other structural member and at least one portion thereof spaced from the portion with the slot and separated therefrom by a surface portion whereby said members can be placed with their respective slots in registry with the other member to form a self-standing cross member and the surfaces form intersecting supporting surfaces, and at least one other member having passages therein adapted to register with said two structural members which can form the self-standing cross member, and slots in the periphery thereof to receive portions of the first two members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A kit as claimed in claim 22 further including a fourth member having slots therein, the spaced portions of at least one of the first two members having projections and portions adapted to extend through the slots in said fourth member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
A kit as claimed in claim 23 including a fifth member having slots therein, the spaced portions of at least one of the first two members having projecting end portions adapted to extend through the slots in said fourth and fifth members, said fourth and fifth members each having at least one beveled edge adapted to mate with the beveled edge of the other to form a v-shaped assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A kit as claimed in claim 23 further including a sixth member having slots in the periphery thereof for receiving portions of the first structural members.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
218 words
A kit which can be assembled into a playhouse comprising: a. first and second flat structural members each having a central structural portion with a longitudinal slot therein spaced from outer structural portions, said central structural portions having a longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal dimensions of the outer structural portions, said outer portions having longitudinal dimensions greater than the portions separating the outer portions and the central portion; b. a third flat structural member having central structural portions spaced from outer structural portions, said central and outer structural portions having longitudinal dimensions greater than those of the portions intermediate said outer and central structural portions, each of said central portions of the third member having a slot therein for receiving the central portions of the first and second structural members and adapted to be received by the slots in the central portions of the first and second structural members to form an interlocking assembly, c. a fourth structural member having passages therein for receiving said first, second and third members and adapted to rest on the surfaces of the portions thereof intermediate the central and outer portions thereof, said fourth member having slots in the periphery adapted to register with the outer portions of said first, second and third members to form a rigid self-standing, interlocking assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
218 words
A kit which can be assembled into a playhouse comprising: a. first and second flat structural members each having a central structural portion with a longitudinal slot therein spaced from outer structural portions, said central structural portions having a longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal dimensions of the outer structural portions, said outer portions having longitudinal dimensions greater than the portions separating the outer portions and the central portion; b. a third flat structural member having central structural portions spaced from outer structural portions, said central and outer structural portions having longitudinal dimensions greater than those of the portions intermediate said outer and central structural portions, each of said central portions of the third member having a slot therein for receiving the central portions of the first and second structural members and adapted to be received by the slots in the central portions of the first and second structural members to form an interlocking assembly, c. a fourth structural member having passages therein for receiving said first, second and third members and adapted to rest on the surfaces of the portions thereof intermediate the central and outer portions thereof, said fourth member having slots in the periphery adapted to register with the outer portions of said first, second and third members to form a rigid self-standing, interlocking assembly.
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) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |