Collapsible structure for demonstrating and interacting with large-scale dolls

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure for demonstrating and interacting wherein the structure includes a collapsed position for long-term storage, a folded or storage position for temporary storage, and a plurality of expanded positions that are suitable for displaying or interacting with large-scale dolls. The structure or dollhouse includes a central support surface or platform. A hinge connects a lower rear wall to the platform. When removed from storage, the lower rear wall folds down and to the rear of the platform. Columns are attached to the bottom of the platform, and the columns support the platform above a floor. At least one wing is selectively attached to one of the columns and can rotate about the connection to the column. The at least one wing rotates from a position that partially encloses the space beneath the platform to a second position that creates a simulated room next to the platform. The at least one wing includes a support surface in-plane with the platform. The space defined by the platform and wing(s) simulates rooms in a house. The support surfaces in conjunction with the platform form the simulated ceiling for each room. Additional walls create additional simulated rooms within the simulated house.

1 . A dollhouse having a long-term storage position, a temporary storage position, and at least one expanded configuration, the doll house comprising: 
 a central platform having a top, a bottom, first and second sides, and front and back ends;    a rear bottom wall hinged to the platform and having a first folded position and second unfolded position, the rear bottom wall unfoldable from a position parallel to the bottom of the platform to a position perpendicular to the bottom of the platform, the unfolded rear bottom wall proximate the back end of the platform and extending from the bottom of the platform;    a plurality of selectively attached columns supporting the platform above a floor;    a first wing on the first side of the platform, the first wing selectively hinged to one of the columns in the plurality of columns, the first wing rotatable about the hinged connection from a storage position partially enclosing the space beneath the central platform to an expanded position adjacent the space beneath the central platform; and    wherein the space beneath the platform and the space defined by the unfolded first wing define two distinct, simulated rooms for use with large-scale dolls.    
   
   
       2 . The dollhouse of  claim 1 , the first wing further comprising in the expanded position a first wing rear wall in-plane with the unfolded rear bottom wall, a first wing sidewall perpendicular to the first wing rear wall, and a first wing support surface in-plane with the central platform.  
   
   
       3 . The dollhouse of  claim 2 , further comprising a first support and second support, the first support selectively mounted to the first wing sidewall and the second support selectively mounted to the platform, the first and second support operable to bear the first wing support surface in-plane with the central platform.  
   
   
       4 . The dollhouse of  claim 2 , the first wing further comprising in the expanded position a first wing upper rear wall in-plane with the first wing rear wall, a first wing upper sidewall in-plane with the first wing sidewall; and 
 wherein the first wing upper sidewall is hinged to the first wing sidewall and the first wing upper rear wall is hinged to the first wing upper sidewall.    
   
   
       5 . The dollhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising a second wing on the second side of the platform, the wing selectively hinged to one of the columns in the plurality of columns, the second wing rotatable about the hinged connection from a temporary storage position partially enclosing the space beneath the central platform to an expanded position adjacent the space beneath the central platform; and 
 wherein the space beneath the platform and the space defined by the unfolded first and second wings define three distinct, simulated rooms for use with large-scale dolls.    
   
   
       6 . The dollhouse of  claim 5 , wherein the first wing further comprises in the expanded position a first wing rear wall in-plane with the unfolded rear bottom wall, a first wing sidewall perpendicular to the first wing rear wall, and a first wing support surface in-plane with the central platform.  
   
   
       7 . The dollhouse of  claim 6 , wherein the second wing further comprises in the expanded position a second wing rear wall in-plane with the unfolded rear bottom wall, a second wing sidewall perpendicular to the second wing rear wall, and a second wing support surface in-plane with the central platform.  
   
   
       8 . The dollhouse of  claim 7 , the first wing further comprising in the unfolded position a first wing upper rear wall in-plane with the first wing rear wall, a first wing upper sidewall in-plane with the first wing sidewall; and 
 wherein the first wing upper sidewall is hinged to the first wing sidewall and the first wing upper rear wall is hinged to the first wing upper sidewall.    
   
   
       9 . The dollhouse of  claim 8 , further comprising a rear upper wall hinged to the platform and having a first folded position and second expanded position, the rear upper wall unfoldable from a position parallel to the top of the platform to a position perpendicular to the platform, wherein the unfolded rear upper wall is proximate the back end of the platform, is in-plane with the unfolded rear lower wall, and extends from the top of the platform.  
   
   
       10 . The dollhouse of  claim 9 , the second wing further comprising in the expanded position a second wing upper rear wall in-plane with the second wing rear wall, a second wing upper sidewall in-plane with the second wing sidewall; and 
 wherein the second wing upper sidewall is hinged to the second wing upper rear wall, and the second wing upper rear wall is hinged to the rear upper wall.    
   
   
       11 . The dollhouse of  claim 1 , further comprising an opening in the platform suitable to pass a doll from a position below the platform to the top of the platform.  
   
   
       12 . The dollhouse of  claim 11 , further comprising a simulated stairway selectively mounted to dollhouse, the simulated stairway aligned from the floor up to the opening in the platform.  
   
   
       13 . A dollhouse having a long-term storage position, a temporary storage position, and at least one expanded configuration, the doll house comprising: 
 a central platform defining a planar surface;    a rear bottom wall hinged to the platform and having a first folded position and second unfolded position, the rear bottom wall aligned perpendicular to the central platform when placed in the unfolded position;    a plurality of selectively attached columns supporting the platform above a floor;    a first wing and a second wing, the first and second wings each selectively hinged to separate columns within the plurality of columns, the first and second wings rotatable about the hinged connection from a storage position partially enclosing the space beneath the central platform to an expanded position adjacent the space beneath the central platform wherein the space beneath the platform and the space defined by the unfolded first and second wings define three distinct, simulated rooms, the first and second wings each further comprising in the expanded position a wing rear wall in-plane with the unfolded rear bottom wall, a wing sidewall perpendicular to the wing rear walls, and a wing support surface in-plane with the central platform.    
   
   
       14 . The dollhouse of  claim 13 , the first and second wings each further comprising in the expanded position a wing upper rear wall in-plane with the wing rear wall, a wing upper sidewall in-plane with the wing sidewall; and 
 wherein at least one wing upper sidewall is hinged to a wing sidewall and the wing upper rear wall is hinged to a wing upper sidewall.    
   
   
       15 . The dollhouse of  claim 14 , further comprising a rear upper wall hinged to the platform and having a first folded position and second unfolded position, the rear upper wall aligned perpendicular to the central platform when placed in the unfolded position.  
   
   
       16 . The dollhouse of  claim 15 , wherein at least one wing upper sidewall is hinged to the wing upper rear wall, and the wing upper rear wall is hinged to the rear upper wall.