Melissa & Doug, LLC

Sofia Dumery

Brett K Almstead

Hali Jacobucci

Beth Carretta

Graham Wilson

Bernard Leon Bensussan

George LeMoine

Kellie Andrea Hebert-Follin

Vienna Price

George Lemoine

Figurine

Layer cake toy

Fairy figurine

Handle for a tool caddy

A play structure is formed from flexible struts supporting a fabric. The struts are inserted through pockets along the edges of the fabric. The struts are joined together by connectors at apexes of the structure. The struts form an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper and lower frames are connected by battens. The struts and battens hold the fabric in a selected shape, such as a sailboat. The battens are formed from flat, flexible members that are bent about their longitudinal axis to form a C-shaped cross section. Ends of the battens are inserted into curved batten receivers on the connectors. When a downward force is applied, the upper frame is pressed toward the lower frame. The battens bend and flatten to resiliently allow the structure to collapse. When the force is relieved, the battens resiliently resume their curved shape, restoring the structure to its original configuration.

Collapsible toy boat

Growing community of inventors

Westport, CT, United States of America

Sofia Dumery