Play tunnel

Abstract

A play tunnel structure ( 11 ) providing passageways through which children can crawl and play. The tunnel structure ( 11 ) has loops ( 12 ) supporting a covering ( 14 ) thereby forming a tunnel passageway. The loops ( 12 ) comprise discrete rings, ( 16 ) and ( 18 ), disposed between helical members ( 20 ) and ( 22 ). When extended, the helical members, ( 20 ) and ( 22 ), form straight sections of tunnel passage way and the discrete rings, ( 16 ) and ( 18 ), may form bends in the tunnel passageway. Each discrete ring, ( 16 ) and ( 18 ), has eyes, ( 40 ) and ( 42 ), disposed to line up with each other on the outer circumference thereof. A tie ( 32 ) is threaded through the eyes, ( 40 ) and ( 42 ), and pulled taut to gather adjacent rings to thereby form and secure a bend in the passageway of the tunnel structure ( 11 ).

1 . A collapsable tunnel structure comprising a plurality of loops which are movable in relation to each other, and a covering supported by the loops to define a tunnel passageway, characterised in that the plurality of loops comprises at least one helical member forming with the covering a first tunnel section, to at least one end of which is connected a second tunnel section the axis of which may be misaligned with respect to that of the first tunnel section to thereby form a bend in the tunnel passageway.  
     
     
         2 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second tunnel section comprises at least one discrete ring which is movable in relation to the first tunnel section, the covering being supported by the, or each, ring to form a tunnel passageway.  
     
     
         3 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a third tunnel section which is connected to the second tunnel section a an opposite end to the first tunnel section.  
     
     
         4 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the third tunnel structure comprises at least one helical member.  
     
     
         5 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the loops are formed from a flattened metallic strip material.  
     
     
         6 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the covering comprises a plurality of sleeves wherein the loops are retained.  
     
     
         7 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tunnel is collapsable along a longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         8 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , including means for securing the tunnel structure in a collapsed state.  
     
     
         9 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a least one tunnel section comprises gathering means attached at intervals along the wall of the tunnel, at at least one corresponding circumferential position of the loops, for gathering at least two loops at that circumferential position to thereby form a bend in the tunnel passageway.  
     
     
         10 . A collapsable tunnel structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the gathering means comprises at least one tie in combination with at least one eye.  
     
     
         11 . A collapsable tunnel structure comprising a plurality of loops which are movable in relation to each other, and a covering supported by the loops to define a tunnel passageway, characterised in that the tunnel structure comprises gathering means attached at intervals along the wall of the tunnel passageway at at least one corresponding circumferential position of the loops, for gathering at least two loops at that circumferential position to thereby form a bend in the tunnel passageway.