AFFILIATION: Inventors: de Chazal; Robert (Edmonton, CA) Assignee: 550058 Alberta Limited (Calgary, CA)

ABSTRACT: A playing structure in one embodiment comprises a plurality of playing structure modules arranged in an array. Each of the playing structure modules includes a re-orientatable top having at least two major sides, each of the at least two major sides constituting a playing surface. The playing surface on each major side of the re-orientatable top depicts a different scene. A support frame supports the re-orientatable top above the surface on which the support frame is located in a manner such that one of the playing surfaces is upwardly presented. The re-orientatable tops of the playing structure modules in the array are first arrangeable such that the scene over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules is continuous and visually fluid. The scene on at least one playing surface of a re-orientatable top has less than four-fold symmetry such that the scene is continuous and visually fluid over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules when the re-orientatable top of that at least one playing structure module is re-orientated about a bisector passing through the center of the re-orientatable top to present upwardly the other of the playing surfaces of the re-orientatable top.

SUMMARY: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a playing structure comprising: a plurality of playing structure modules arranged in an array, each of said playing structure modules including a re-orientatable top having at least two major sides, each of said at least two major sides constituting a playing surface, the playing surface on each major side of said re-orientatable top depicting a different scene; and a support for supporting said re-orientatable top above the surface on which said support is located in a manner such that one of said playing surfaces is upwardly presented, wherein the re-orientatable tops of said playing structure modules in said array are first arrangeable such that the scene over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules is continuous and visually fluid, the scene on at least one playing surface of a re-orientatable top having less than four-fold symmetry such that the scene is continuous and visually fluid over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules when the re-orientatable top of the at least one playing structure module is re-orientated about a bisector passing through the centre of said re-orientatable top to present upwardly the other of the playing surfaces of the re-orientatable top. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a playing structure comprising: a playing structure module including a re-orientatable top constituted by a plurality of re-orientatable top elements, each of said top elements having a playing surface on both of its major sides, the playing surface on each major side of said re-orientatable top elements depicting a different scene; and a support for supporting said re-orientatable top above the surface on which said support is located in a manner such that one of said playing surfaces of each top element is upwardly presented, wherein the re-orientatable top elements are first arrangeable such that the scene over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of the re-orientatable top elements is continuous and visually fluid, the scene on at least one playing surface of a re-orientatable top element having less than four-fold symmetry such that the scene is continuous and visually fluid over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of the re-orientatable top elements when that re-orientatable top element is re-orientated about a bisector passing through the centre of said at least one re-orientatable top element to present upwardly the other of the playing surfaces of that re-orientatable top element. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a playing structure module comprising: a re-orientatable top having a playing surface on both of its major sides; and a support frame for supporting said re-orientatable top above the surface on which said support frame is located in a manner such that one of said playing surfaces is upwardly presented, said support frame being constituted by a plurality of support frame elements which are assembled to form said support frame without the use of fasteners. In still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a playing structure module comprising: a re-orientatable top having a playing surface on both of its major sides; and a support frame for supporting said re-orientatable top above the surface on which said support frame is located in a manner such that one of said playing surfaces is upwardly presented, said re-orientatable top including a pair of separable elements each of which defines one of said playing surfaces, at least one of said elements being generally transparent, said elements being configured to define an interior space therebetween to allow an individual to create a desired scene on said re-orientatable top within said interior space, said scene being visible through said at least one generally transparent element. The present invention provides advantages in that the re-orientatable top of each playing structure module allows different scenes to be created while maintaining the visual fluidity of the overall scene of the playing structure. Also, because the playing structure modules can be arranged with other playing structure modules, different size scenes can be created making the variety and size of created scenes virtually limitless. Because of this, the present invention forms a stage which provides direction and focus for a child's imagination. Also, because the playing surfaces on the re-orientatable tops of the playing structure modules are raised from the ground, the playing surfaces are at a convenient physical height for most children. More importantly, the toys placed on the playing structure are raised so that the child's point of view is as if he or she is among them. In addition, the present invention provides further advantages in that children's toys remain on the playing structure and may be stored on the playing surface or on a storage shelf when the child is finished playing. This avoids the problem associated with children spreading their toys around the household and speeds up the cleaning process significantly. Also, the design of the playing structure modules allows the modules to be stacked facilitating compact storage and house cleaning.