FIELD

The present invention relates to a play box, preferably of cardboard, having the capability of being folded and attached in different configurations with labels that represent various articles.

BACKGROUND

Cardboard boxes have long been a favourite toy for young children. Invariably when large cardboard boxes are left in a house after a move or the purchase of large items such as television sets, young children begin to investigate the possibilities of converting these boxes into play items. Generally a large cardboard box is turned over and an entrance opening is carved in one end. Frequently, several such boxes are used in combination to provide a greater complexity and variety to such an assembly. The use of cardboard boxes by young children and the challenge of developing various types of assemblies stimulates the creativity and imagination. However, even though such boxes are popular and provide an ideal product for stimulating the creativity of a child, they have a number of practical problems. Firstly, they are not easily stored and reused. Secondly, such boxes are generally available in the house only during the rare occasions of a move or after the purchase of a large item. Thirdly, there is a limitation to the multiplicity of configurations available for each cardboard box. Finally any conversion into a play item requires cutting and possibly taping. Such cutting and taping invariably requires the assistance of an adult both for the planning and the execution. Cutting cardboard is dangerous as it is very easy to self-inflict serious cuts. Taping is also a type of task usually requiring adult help as it requires not only selection of the correct type of tape but also skill in the placement of the tape without having the tape sticking to itself.

Finally, large cardboard boxes (as well as smaller ones) are often dirty and may entail a health hazard for younger children. The origin of such boxes is often uncertain and, particularly in the present environment of potential bio-hazards, proper inspection of the box before use is mandatory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a play box made of corrugated sheet material, comprising a plurality of body panels connected to one another by fold lines, a plurality of end panels, two of the plurality of end panels coupled to ends of each of the body panels, four of the end panels attached to opposite panels of the box, and having a shape governing a pitch of each end of the box. A plurality of connectors is attached to the end panels and the body panels permitting assembly of the box into multiple configurations.

Preferably, the number of the body panels is four and the number of end panels is eight.

Advantageously, the shape is triangular. Use of triangular end plates permits the optional assembly of pitched ends.

The connectors may be tabs affixed to the periphery of the end panels and slots in the tabs and end panels which can be engaged by the tabs when interconnected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the play box in flat form;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the play box of FIG. 1 with the ends partially folded to a closed pitched position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the play box of FIG. 1 with the ends partially folded to a closed flat position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the play box of FIG. 1 with a label covering one panel;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the play box of FIG. 4 showing an opposite side;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the play box of FIG. 4 showing a different labeling and side wall feature;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the play box with a cockpit and side fins;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the play box oriented and labeled to look like a tugboat;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the play box in the form of a truck;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the play box in the form of a locomotive;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the play box in the form of a bulldozer;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the play box in the form of a rescue vessel;

FIGS. 13 to 19 disclose various shapes of the play box in various different configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1 a corrugated cardboard box 10 in flat form has four body panels 12, 14, 16, and 18 and eight end panels 36, 40, 32, 27 38, 42, 34 and 25. Body panel 12 has a double flap 30 cutout and end panels 36 and 40 are triangular in shape and have connector tabs 20 and 22, respectively. Body panel 14 has a triangular cutout 35 and end panels 27 and 32 are rectangular and have connector tabs 24 and 31, respectively. Body panel 16 has an elongated side-by-side double flap, which represents a double door 31 and end panels 38 and 42, which are triangular and have connector tabs 39 and 41. Body panel 18 has a triangular cutout 33 identical in dimensions to cutout 35 but opposite in orientation and end panels 25 and 34 with connector tabs 26 and 23, respectively. The connector tabs of each end panel interconnect with the tabs and slots in the other end panels to form either a flat end or one which has a pitched as seen in FIG. 2. The box can also be made of corrugated plastic or any other low cost, reasonably stiff, light material.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the box of FIG. 1 folds along fold lines 28 with panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 forming four sides of a box of rectangular cross-section. End panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 and end panels 25, 27, 40 and 42 are each interconnected in FIG. 2 to form a pitched end. In FIG. 3 each of the end panels is interconnected to form flat ends.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, various labels can be applied to the panels to depict such establishments as a supermarket, a post office of a space ship. The labels are one use adhesive-backed sheet material but could be made transferable and reusable utilizing a magnetic sheet and small magnetic pads glued to the sides of the box at various locations. Alternatively, the sheet material could have an adhesive that permits removing of the sheet material.

Referring to FIG. 7 the box is folded so as to have a pitched at either end. The double flaps are oriented to the top and a cockpit 50 is positioned over one of the flap openings 30. Triangular cutouts 33 and 35 are folded down to simulate wings and various labels are applied to the side and front. FIG. 8 depicts a boat while FIG. 9 shows a truck with the ends of the box flat. FIG. 10 discloses a locomotive while FIG. 111 discloses a bulldozer. Finally, FIG. 12 has flat ends and depicts a rescue boat. All of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 are designed to be large enough to allow children to play standing up while the embodiments of FIGS. 7-12 simulate such structures as a house, a castle, a retail kiosk, a telephone booth, a post office or a rocket ship and are designed to allow children to play inside.

FIGS. 13 to 19 show smaller boxes being carried by the user. Each box has a pair of straps extending across a top opening 60 to provide a means for small children to carry the box while walking. The straps are well secured to the box so that they do not rip loose during movement. Children that are younger than those that use the boxes of FIGS. 4-12 ordinarily use the smaller boxes. Such boxes allow children to act as vehicles, robots or animals such as whales, rhinos, pigs, birds, dinosaurs.

nother feature of the box herein is the fact that when assembled, no tape or permanent fastening is applied to the end panels so that an assembled box can easily be disassembled and stored in flat form. However, Velcro, removable glue, self-adhesive tape or clips or clamps can also be used.

Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.