This invention pertains generally to the field of play structures, and in particular play panels with reconfigurable play components for use with flowable materials such as water or sand, and/or balls.

Play structures are widely used equipment, encompassing a wide variety of different formats. A modular play structure typically allows for the structure to be reconfigured in some way. This might be to enhance the play experience for a user, allowing for changes to be made, thus preventing the structure from always beingthe same. It may be modularto allowforease of transportation and storage, particularly where space is a premium.

Popular play structures comprise activity panels that incorporate various activities for children to interact with. These activities may encompass visual, tactile or audible components, to encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills in young children. Learning through play is thought to be extremely beneficial in those early years, and an activity panel provides hands-on learning opportunities, such as problem solving and language development. Play, and learning through play, is thought to be key to a child's development. Children benefit from engaging in fun activities, and build self-confidence from being in control of these activities. Activity panels provide tools to help them to develop their problem-solving and observation skills and feed their imagination and creativity. These activity panels are typically designed for indoor and/or outdoor use.

A key component of any activity panel are the various play components secured thereto. Typically, most activity panels are provided with play components that are permanently secured in position. Some activity panels allow forthe play components to be rearranged, although usuallythe means of fastening to the panel involves mechanical fasteners that cannot be handled by a child. This limits the scope of play that the child can experience with some activities, being unable to reconfigure play components themselves. They either have to use the activity panel as it has been set-up or left, or they have to ask for help from an adult to move various components about. This is likely to limit the amount that any reconfigurable components are reconfigured.

Some activity panels incorporate water play equipment, where the panel provides components that are designed for use with water. Typically, water is poured into a receptacle at the top of the panel and allowed to flow through various tubes and/or channels, turning water wheels and other equipment, prior to flowing into a receptacle at the bottom. These water activity panels are often created using recycled waste items such as plastic bottles and guttering, with the components that support the water flow being permanently secured in position by tape or adhesives, or through mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails or nuts and bolts. Once positioned, the majority of these water activity panels cannot be reconfigured. The child simply pours in more water and watches it flow. Similar panels have been created for use with sand and other granular materials. Likewise, there are activity panels available for use with balls, and in particular marbles. Most of these activity panels for use with water, sand or balls, are limited by just how much they can be reconfigured, or by the ease with which they can be reconfigured. The majority do not provide play components that can be reconfigured or rearranged solely by the child. This therefore limits the breadth of learning through play that is available.

Activity panels for water play help to develop children's gross motor skills by lifting and pouring, whilst learning and practicing other skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, science and maths in a hands-on way. They discover how to control a flow of water through channel or pipe angles, how to stop a flow of water with dams or blocking structures. They may also observe items that float and those that sink. Their learning experience is only limited by the amount that they can rearrange the water play components themselves, and put their theories to the test. Water activity panels with fixed water play components are limited to the fact that a child can only pour and watch what happens. Those water activity panels that can be reconfigured, typically prior to each use, are likewise limited to the fact that the child cannot reconfigure it themselves, so they can only pour and watch what happens. They cannot move components about themselves whilst the water is flowing or between pours.

There is a need to improve the reconfigurability of activity play panels designed for use with water, sand or similar flowable materials, or designed for use with balls, and to allow this reconfiguring to be safely undertaken by a child. There is a need to improve the modular nature of these activity play panels with intuitive, interchangeable play components. There is a need to enhance the learning experience by allowing for play components to be reconfigured during a play session, ensuring a truly interactive experience.

The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address these needs in various ways.

GB 2 526 387 (Waterwall Ltd) discloses a play panel particularly for water play. The display panel is made up of a plurality of slats, whereby all of the slats can be stored within the base receptacle or box when not in use. Various water play components are releasably secured and moved to different positions on the display panel through magnetic means. The play components incorporate connectors with embedded magnets, and the display board is made up of a magnetic material. However, whilst the magnets allow the play components to be easily reconfigured on the display panel, the cost for each play component to incorporate embedded magnets is thought to make the overall cost of the play structure too expensive for domestic use. The magnetic fastening means allows the play components to be placed anywhere, which may make alignment more of a challenge to a younger child trying to achieve a successful flow of water from top to bottom.

Whilst the prior art appears to address the issue of reconfigurability by a child during play and goes some way towards ease for a child to reconfigure play components, it is thought to prove tricky for a child to align and angle play components to ensure a successful flow. The strength of the magnets used is key to ensure that they can be removed by a child, whilst also ensuring that they are strong enough to support a play component that may be laden with flowable material. The magnetic play components can be placed anywhere on the panel, and at any angle, which may offer too much freedom of positioning to a younger child, who may require some intuitive support. The prior art does not provide a cost-effective water play panel with the cost of magnets embedded within all of the play components, and the display board made from magnetic material, making the overall cost of the structure considerable, and taking the structure into the commercial rather than the domestic market.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a modular play structure for use with a flowable material, where the reconfigurable play components can be easily reconfigured by a child, and the play structure helps the child to achieve a successful flow of the flowable material down the play structure. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also aim to provide a means of removing and replacing play components that is safe and easy for a child to do by themselves, that also help the child with alignment during use.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a play structure comprising: a panel incorporating an array of holes therethrough; at least one stand for supporting the panel in an upright position; and, one or more play components for mounting to a surface of the panel, each of the play components comprising at least one projection arranged to fit into one of the holes; whereby, in use, each of the play components is relocatable across the surface of the panel.

Preferably, each hole in the array of holes may be spaced apart from a neighbouring hole by a first predetermined spacing, and where the play component incorporates at least two projections, said projections may be spaced apart by a second predetermined spacing that is a multiple of the first predetermined spacing, such that the projections are alignable with the holes.

Preferably, each of the projections may incorporate a stopper, such that, in use, the stopper may restrict the amount by which the projection can be inserted into the hole.

Preferably, each of the projections may protrude from the play component by a greater length than the depth of the hole, such that, in use, when mounted in the holes, the projection protrudes from the rear of the panel.

Preferably, the projection may friction-fit within the hole.

The play components may comprise one or more of the following: channel, straight tube, flexible tube, bracket, axle, spindle, wheel, hopper, tipper.

The wheel or tipper may be configured to be mountable to the axle or spindle.

The channel or tubes may be configured to be mountable to at least one bracket.

The panel may comprise a plurality of horizontal slats, mounted to the at least one stand leaving a slot therebetween. The projection may comprise a hook configured to hook onto the slot.

Preferably, each of the play components may be mountable to the array of holes on both sides of the panel.

The play component may be configured to wraparound a side of the panel, with at least one projection inserted into a hole on both surfaces of the panel.

The play components may be configured to allow for a flow of fluidic material or at least one ball, down the surface of the panel.

The fluidic material may comprise one or more of the following: water, sand, slime.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of modular play structure showing a panel incorporating an array of holes, and a plurality of play components mounted across a surface of the panel in one of many possible configurations;

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the modular play structure of Figure 1, showing the arrangement of projections projecting from a rear surface of the panel, releasably securing each of the play components in position;

Figure 3A shows one embodiment of panel for a modular play structure, where the panel comprises a plurality of slats;

Figure 3B shows an exploded view of the panel of Figure 3A, showing one arrangement of fastening the slats to a pair of stands; Figure 4A shows one embodiment of play component for mounting to the surface of the panel, where the play component comprises a channel, the incorporating three evenly spaced projections, configured to align with three holes within the array of holes in the surface of the panel;

Figure 4B shows the channel of Figure 4A just prior to mounting to the surface of the panel, showing one of many possible configurations of mounting the play component to the surface of the panel;

Figure 5A shows one embodiment of bracket that forms part of various play components, the bracket incorporating the projection for mounting within a hole in the panel, and provided with a stopper for abutting the surface of the panel, thereby stopping further movement of the projection into the hole in the panel,

Figure 5B shows a rear view of the bracket of Figure 5A showing the stopper adjacent to the projection;

Figure 6 shows the bracket of Figures 5A and 5B mounted to the surface of the panel with projection in the hole in the panel, showing the stopper abutting the surface of the panel;

Figure 7A shows one embodiment of axle that forms part of various play components, provided with the projection for mounting to a hole in the surface of the panel, and the stopper for abutting against the surface of the panel;

Figure 7B shows a further embodiment of axle that forms part of various play components; Figures 8A and 8B show two possible embodiments of wheel for rotatably mounting to the axles of Figures 7A or 7B;

Figure 9 shows one embodiment of rotational spiral that is releasably secured to various play components, such as within a channel;

Figure 10 shows one embodiment of see-saw play component, for mounting to the axle of Figures 7A or 7B; and,

Figure 11 shows one embodiment of hopper that forms part of various modular play components.

In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.

It is to be understood that the various features that are described in the following and/or illustrated in the drawings are preferred but not essential. Combinations of features described and/or illustrated are not considered to be the only possible combinations. Unless stated to the contrary, individual features may be omitted, varied or combined in different combinations, where practical.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of modular play structure 1 showing a panel 2 held in a vertical position by a pair of stands 3. The panel 2 may be held in a substantially vertical configuration by one or more stands 3, or alternative configurations of floor mounting means such as water-filled bases, ground engaging pegs or stakes, weighted supports, not shown. The panel 2 creates an upright play structure 1, for use for many different forms of play. The stands 3 in this arrangement are at either end of the panel 2. The modular play structure 1 incorporates a plurality of modular play components 4 that can be interchanged, realigned and therefore reconfigured throughout a surface of the panel 2. The modular play structure 1 is designed for use with a flowable material such as water or other liquid, slime or a granular material such as sand, or alternatively for use with a rollable item such as a ball, marble or toy car, not shown. Where the flowable material is a liquid, it may carry floats such as a toy boat.

The panel 2 incorporates an array of holes 6 within the surface, with these holes 6 being of substantially identical diameter, and evenly spaced from one another. Each modular play component 4 incorporates at least one projection 5 for inserting within one of the holes 6, whereby the projection 5 is marginally smaller in diameter to the diameter of the hole 6, so that the projection 5 fits snugly when pushed inside. This friction-fit ensures that the play component 4 is held in position, whilst also ensuring that the projection 5 can be moved into and out of the hole 6 with minimal force required, therefore being suitable for use by a child. The projection 5 may be configured to protrude from a rear surface of the panel 2, such that the projection 5 passes all the way through the hole 6 and out the other side, as shown in Figure 2. The projection 5 may therefore be easily pushed back through the hole 6 to remove the play component 4.

The array of holes 6 are arranged throughout the panel 2 so that a play component 4 with more than one projection 5 may be easily aligned and mounted into more than one corresponding hole 6. The distance between holes 6 may comprise a first predetermined length, with the distance between projections 5 where a play component 4 comprises more than one projection 5, being spaced by a second predetermined distance, that is a multiple of the first predetermined distance. This ensures that the projections 5 are always aligned with suitable holes 6. The rows of holes 6 are arranged to be spaced so that the distance between rows of holes 6 creates a suitable incline in any play component 4 mounted onto the surface of the panel 2.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the panel 2 may be made up of a plurality of slats or planar portions, mounted to the stands 3 with a gap or slot 8 therebetween. The slats may be permanently fastened to the stand 3 with fastening means such as nails or screws, or alternatively the slats may be releasably secured to the stand 3 with releasable fastening means, such that the play structure 1 can be stored easily. The panel 2, where it comprises a one piece planar portion, may be permanently secured to the one or more stands 3, by permanent or releasable fastening means, not shown. The panel 2 may incorporate a plurality of slots 8 as a type of hole 6, and the play components 4 may comprise one or more corresponding hooks 9 that hook into or onto the slots 8. Or alternatively the play components 4 may hook onto the top or sides of the panel 2.

Figure 1 shows one possible arrangement of hopper 10, mounted at the top, or near the top, of the panel 2. The hopper 10, in use, provides a receptacle into which the water, sand, or plurality of balls can be poured or added. Figure 2 shows the hopper 10 hooked over the top edge of the panel 2. The hopper 10 incorporates one or more holes in it's base that allow the water, fluid or balls to pass. The play components 4 are mounted to the surface of the panel 2 with the aim of creating a path down which the fluid or balls can flow. The modular play structure 1 may comprise a receptacle 11 mounted or placed at the bottom of the modular play structure 1, or mounted at the bottom, or near the bottom of the panel 2, into which the fluid or balls can be received. The receptacle 11 may be removable such that it can be removed so that the contents can be easily added back into the hopper 10 to continue the passage of the fluid or balls through the play components 4 and therefore down the panel 2. The hopper 10 may comprise a tap, not shown.

Figure 4A shows one possible embodiment of play component 4 that comprises a channel 13. The channel 13 comprises a section of pipe or guttering, with C-shaped cross-section, configured to allow the fluid to pass along its base, or for a suitable size of ball to roll. Figure 4A shows an indication of flowable material 14 passing along the channel 13. Due to the arrangement of the array of holes 6 and the plurality of projections 5 as part of the channel 13, the channel 13 can be mounted to the panel 2 at an angle where the projections 5 are inserted into holes 6 in different rows. A user can explore the effects of mounting the channel 13 at a steeper angle on the fluid or balls passing therethrough. The user can arrange further play components 4, or channels 13, to catch the fluid 14, or balls, falling off the end of channel 13, and continue in this way to set up a pathway along various play components 4 travelling down the panel 2. The play structure

1 provides a kit of parts, with a number of play components 4 that can be rearranged and reconfigured about the upright panel 2, with numerous different possible combinations.

Figure 4B shows a length of channel 13 with three projections 5 evenly spaced at the back of the channel 13 for inserting into three holes 6 in the panel 2. The projections 5 may be moulded as part of the channel 13, or as part of the play component 4. Or the projections 5 may make up part of the play component 4. Figures 5A and 5B show a bracket 15 that forms part of a play component 4, where the bracket 15 incorporates the projection 5 and the stopper 7. The bracket 15 in this embodiment is configured to support the channel 13, such that the channel 13 can be clipped on. One or more brackets 15 may be configured to support a length of channel 13. Figure 5B shows a rear view of the bracket 15 that shows the relationship of the projection 5 to the stopper 7. The stopper 7 abuts the surface of the panel 2 which assists with alignment of the play components 4, such that all of the play components 4 are always mounted at the same distance from the surface of the panel 2 so that the passage of flowable material is always aligned.

Figure 6 shows the bracket 15 when plugged into the holes 6 in the panel

2 from the front, showing the stopper 7 up against the surface of the panel 2. The projection 5 may alternatively be flush with the panel 2, or it may not protrude at all from the rear surface of the panel 2, not shown. Both front and back surfaces of the panel 2 may be used at any one time, where play components 4 are mounted to both sides, not shown. The play components 4 may wraparound the sides of the panel 2, so that the passage of flowable material 14 is allowed to flow down both sides, not shown. In a further embodiment two or more runs of play components 4 may be mounted to the panel 2, so that the flowable material 14 can be raced to the receptacle 11 or to the bottom.

Figure 7A and 7B show two embodiments of play component 4 that comprise an axle 16, where the projection 5 and the stopper 7 ensure that the axle 16 is mounted perpendicularto the surface of the panel 2. Figures 8A and 8B show two possible embodiments of wheel 17, each incorporating an axle hole 18 for mounting onto the axle 16. The wheel 17 being configured to turn with the passage of the flowable material 14, and to convey the flowable material to another play component 4.

Further play components 4 may include a spiral 19 as shown in Figure 9, that may be mounted within the flow of flowable material 14, such that the spiral 19 rotates with the passage of flowable material 14. The spiral 19 may be mounted within a channel 13, being clipped into place at either end, not shown. Another play component 4 shown in Figure 10 may comprise a tipper 20 or see-saw tipper 20, that is mounted onto an axle through the axle hole 18, and configured to tip under the weight of flowable material 14 caught on either side of the tipper 20. The tipping action conveys the flowable material 14 from one channel 13 to another channel 13 or into a receptacle 10, such as that shown in Figure 11.

The channels 13 may incorporate further flow restrictors, not shown, such as barriers that can be raised and lowered to dam any flowable material 14. The flow restrictors may comprise funnelling means to lessen the flow of flowable material 14 passing therethrough at any one time. The play components 4 may comprise rigid or flexible tubing, that may be transparent, semi-opaque or opaque, and the tubing may incorporate one or more projections 5, or the tubing may be configured to attach to, or rest within, one or more brackets 15.

The hopper 10 may be provided with a tap, not shown. The tap allowing the flowable material 14 to be turned on or off, or the flow rate to be adjusted.

The modular play structure 1 provides an upright activity wall with modular play components 4 that can be easily and conveniently reconfigured, allowing for numerous different configurations, and therefore numerous different pathways for the flowable material 14. The play components 4 are either pulled away from the panel 2 from the front, or the projections 5 pushed out through the holes 6 to assist with removal of the play components 4 from the panel 2.

The modular play structure 1 may be made from various materials such as wood, plastic or metal, or a combination of these. For an example, the panel 2 may be made from a sheet of wood, whilst the interchangeable play components 4 may be moulded plastic.

In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features. The word "preferable" (or any of its derivatives) indicates one feature or more that is preferred but not essential.

All or any of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all or any of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.