Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The present invention relates to elongated members constructed
of links and more particularly but not exclusively to play enclosures for
children, which play enclosures are constructed of links.
It is a disadvantage of known play enclosures and portable
cots for children that they are not adaptable for several uses in that
a play enclosure is a separate item to a cot and a child's swimming pool.
Accordingly there is considerable expense in providing these
items for children.
A still further disadvantage is that the above mentioned items
are generally cumbersome and space consuming and therefore are not
conveniently portable.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.
There is disclosed herein a flexible link structure comprising
a first and a second elongated member each formed of a plurality of
pivotal connected links, the links being pivotal attached so as to
be pivot able relative to each other about the axes normal to the general
direction of extension of the members, a plurality of rods extending
between the first and second members so as to retain the members in a
spaced, generally parallel co-extensive relationship said rods being
arranged in a spaced, generally parallel co-extensive relationship, so as
to extend generally normal to the members and wherein the links are
provided with abutment faces which engage to prevent relative movement
between adjacent links about said axes beyond a predetermined position.
A preferred form o-F the present invention will now be described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 schematically depicts a child's play enclosure;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the enclosure of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a link employed in the play
enclosure of Figure l; and
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the link of Figure 3.
Referring specifically to the preferred embodiment, the child's
enclosure 10 schematically depicted is adapted for use as either a
playpen, a bed or a child's swimming pool. The enclosure JO is formed
by three rings 11 which are generally coaxial but vertically spaced and
horizontally oriented. The rings 11 are joined by a plurality of rods
12 which hold the rings 11 in a spaced parallel relationship. Each of
the rings 11 is formed of a plurality of links 13 which are pivotal
coupled by pins 14. Additionally, the links 13 are provided with abutting
faces which define when abutting a predetermined configuration so as to
form the rings 11. The rods 12 extend through the links 13.
To enable the enclosure 10 to be used as a child's bed, a bed
support 16 is coupled to the central ring 11 so as to support a mattress
For the child. Additionally the enclosure may be adapted as a child's
swimming pool by providing a water-tight membrane 17 which covers the
bottom of the enclosure LO and extends partly upward of the sides of
the enclosure 10. The sides of the membrane 17 would be supported by
resilient strips 18 which extend upwardly to hook over the central ring 11.
Additionally, a shade cloth may be provided in the form of a
sheet 19 which is attached to the upper portion of the enclosure 10 to
Lo 3
thereby shade a child located in the enclosure 10.
It should be appreciated that the linked construction forming
the rings 11 may also be used so as to provide any number of elongated
members such as ladders and members for form work.
The above enclosure 10 is easily folded by uncoupling the links
AYE and 13B which are coupled by means of a clip 19. Upon the clip 19
being removed, the links 13 may be pivoted about the pins 14 thereby
enabling the enclosure 10 to be rolled up. As can be appreciated from
the above description, independent of the linked construction use, the
linked construction may be easily folded for ease of transportation. As
for example, a ladder constructed as above may be easily rolled up for
transportation.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 wherein the link 13 is more
fully depicted. Each link 13 includes a body 20 which is preferably
of molded plastic material, so as to have a first end 21 which doffers
a yoke with two lugs 22 which are adapted to pivotal engage the next
adjacent link 13 by means of a pin. The other end 23 of the body 20
has a projection 24 which is adapted to be received within the aperture
25 defined between the lugs 22 of the next adjacent link. The pin also
passes through the projection 24 to thereby secure the adjacent links
together.
The body 20 can be provided with a hole 26 which, in the
present instance, is a blind hole. It should be appreciated that a
blind hole would be employed in links where the link 13 is located
along the top or bottom of the play enclosure. If the link is located
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intermediate the top or bottom of the play enclosure, hole 26 would pass
through the body 20.
Additionally, body 20 has a pair of faces 27 which abut the end
face 28 of the next adjacent link to thereby define the predetermined
position beyond which the links will not pivot further.
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