Amusement devices – Sandbox type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2001-12-18
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Sandbox type
C446S478000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331147
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sandboxes, and more particularly to a sandbox having an attachable lid or cover. The novel sandbox is useful as a recreational device, plant growing receptacle, and in other applications wherein it is desired to have a removable cover which can be attached securely enough to resist dislodging by weather elements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sandboxes provide children with an opportunity to create imaginary roads, buildings, and the like on a small scale. They are usually sufficiently large and potentially messy to warrant being maintained outdoors. While this arrangement is satisfactory for homeowners and others who wish to exclude sand from inside homes and other buildings, it leads to problems with the sandbox itself. A sandbox is susceptible to rain, winds, airborne contaminants, and animals which might burrow or leave excretions in the absence of human or animal oversight.
A sandbox can be covered just as can any receptacle. However, due to its size, covers present problems of their own. For example, a cover can be readily dislodged and lose all effectiveness if no provision is made for securing it in place. U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,360, issued to James F. Mariol on May 7, 1985, describes a sandbox having a cover which slides laterally or horizontally into engagement with the sand receptacle. By contrast with the cover of Mariol, the cover of the present invention resiliently snap fits to its associated sandbox. Also, the sandbox has provision for storing and deploying posts for supporting the cover above the sand receptacle as a spaced apart roof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,464, issued to Curtis R. Dose on Aug. 10, 1982, describes a playground assembly incorporating a sandbox which can be covered by rotating a hinged roof assembly into place over the sand receptacle. The roof assembly, which is convertible into a slide and a ladder when not covering the receptacle, is not detachable from the receptacle. By contrast, the cover of the present invention is detachable from the receptacle, and can be erected in a location establishing a roof located well above the sand receptacle.
Neither one of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention sets forth a sandbox which has a detachable cover which may be employed either to close the sand receptacle or alternatively as a roof sheltering the sand receptacle and its occupants from rain and sun. The cover resiliently snaps into engagement with the receptacle when it is desired to close the same. The receptacle is configured to house posts for supporting the cover above and spaced apart from the receptacle, when it is desired to afford access to children, while protecting the children from elements of the weather. The receptacle has sockets for receiving the posts and holding them in an upright position.
The receptacle has male projections located periodically about its outer periphery. The cover has corresponding recesses for receiving these projections. Both the receptacle and cover are fabricated from a slightly resilient material so that either or both can deflect to engage and release the projections. This arrangement allows ready installation and removal of the cover. No tools are necessary to erect and disassemble the sandbox as it is converted from the closed condition to the deployed condition. In the deployed condition, the cover, instead of becoming a useless article which merely gets in the way or must be disposed or stored away from the sandbox, serves as a roof. This is a desirable feature since children engrossed in play may be oblivious to hazards such as sunburn.
The sandbox also has handles for ready grasping and maneuvering when moving into a desired location, rounded edges for safety, and transparent windows formed in the cover to enable observation of the sandbox when the cover closes the receptacle. The various features of the novel sandbox are formed by molding the sandbox components from a suitable constituent material, such as synthetic resins. The sandbox thus can be fabricated economically while offering its various amenities.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a sandbox having a readily removed attachable cover.
It is another object of the invention to provide a removable roof which shelters occupants of the sandbox.
It is a further object of the invention to enable ready stowage of the components of the sandbox.
Still another object of the invention is to provide handles for grasping the sandbox.
An additional object of the invention is to provide windows enabling observation of the receptacle when the cover is installed.
It is an object of the invention that the sandbox avoid sharp edges.
Yet another object of the invention is to enable ready conversion from the closed condition to the deployed condition wherein the cover serves as a roof.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 308088 (1990-05-01), Mariol
patent: D. 313058 (1990-12-01), Wehmeyer
patent: D. 334789 (1993-04-01), Fish, Jr.
patent: D. 372290 (1996-07-01), Bookstaver et al.
patent: 1748932 (1930-02-01), Medart et al.
patent: 2473047 (1949-06-01), Bershad
patent: 3020045 (1962-02-01), Moss
patent: 3823426 (1974-07-01), Mitchko
patent: 3981529 (1976-09-01), Bontrager
patent: 4343464 (1982-08-01), Dose
patent: 4515360 (1985-05-01), Mariol
Linnartz Olaf
Munro Liliana
Nguyen Kien T.
Zborovsky I.
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