School's out for summer and many parents (including me!) are on the hunt for things to keep our children busy. From keeping them occupied on rainy days to helping them burn off energy, we're going to explore some child-friendly activities and the Intellectual property (IP) that surrounds them.
Patented play
One thing my children absolutely love during the holidays is heading to the park, where hours of fun await. But have you ever stopped to think about the clever inventions that make their playtime possible? Those climbing frames, swings, slides, and roundabouts didn't just appear overnight – they're the result of years of innovation and design, many protected by patents.
Take the humble slide for instance. What seems like a simple concept involves careful engineering to ensure the right angle for speed versus safety, materials that won't become scorching hot in summer sun, and designs that can withstand years of enthusiastic use.
Here are some patents for popular park equipment we discovered using our IPO search tool:
Playground apparatus - GB2601633
This patent for monkey bars and climbing frame tackles playground safety through clever engineering. This is something I used to love doing – climbing up, swinging and hanging upside down while reading a book! This monkey bar frame is wider at the base and tapers inward at the top, creating enhanced stability when children swing from rung to rung. The angled support poles increase ground contact, preventing tipping when enthusiastic children put the equipment through its paces!
Low-friction Recreational Slide System - GB2618973
Getting stuck halfway down a slide is every child's nightmare, and mine too! Slick Slide LLC has solved this problem with a dry lubrication system that creates ultra-smooth sliding. The slide surface uses a special coating, while riders use mats with fabric tops and mesh bottoms. This clever combination delivers thrilling, fast rides in any weather, making it perfect for year-round playground fun.
Sandy designs
There's nothing quite like a day at the beach to tire out my kids! Whether they're creating sandcastle masterpieces, splashing in the waves, or enjoying a well-earned ice cream, I can guarantee they'll sleep soundly after a day spent in the sea air.
But what’s behind the clever design of your beach bag essentials? That trusty bucket and spade set isn't just functional – it's appearance might well be protected by registered designs. From the shape and pattern of the bucket to the colour combinations and decorative elements, registered designs protect the unique visual appearance that makes beach toys instantly recognisable and appealing to children.
Here are some fun designs we discovered for beach equipment:
Beach toys - GB6441682
This registered design protects the visual appearance of a collapsible beach bucket, featuring a charming mermaid design around the rim. The distinctive decorative elements combine practicality with imagination, making it perfect for children who love building sandcastles while dreaming of underwater adventures.
Telescopic Fishing Net - GB6111354
This registered design is perfect for little explorers investigating rock pools. The telescopic design makes it easier to catch sea creatures from afar then observe them up close through the netting. A game changer for my curious kids, although I’ll still need to remind them to be gentle with any creatures they find and return them to where they were discovered!
Indoor fun
Let's face it – British summers wouldn't be complete without a fair share of rainy days! Fortunately, when the inevitable downpours arrive, we've got plenty of indoor activities to keep the children entertained, and they're surrounded by innovative IP.
That impromptu dance party in your living room? The music pumping through your speakers is protected by copyright, covering everything from the original composition and lyrics to the specific recording you're hearing. When children belt out their favourite pop songs or create their own dance routines to chart-toppers, they're engaging with works that represent years of creative effort by songwriters, performers, and producers.
Movie marathons showcase another rich area of copyright protection. From the screenplay and dialogue to the cinematography, soundtrack and wardrobe choices, films are complex creative works with multiple layers of copyright protection. Adventure stories, comedies and even animated favourites, all involve copyrighted content that make each film unique.
And let's not forget about trade marks during these indoor adventures. The well-known cartoon characters decorating your children's pyjamas on PJ days, the distinctive logos on their favourite snack packaging, and even the recognisable jingles from TV adverts, could be examples of trade mark protection in action. These distinctive signs help families instantly identify trusted brands and beloved characters, creating the emotional connections that make rainy day treats feel special.
So, there you have it – your summer holiday survival guide with a twist! Who knew that between the ice cream runs, the inevitable “there’s nothing to do”, and the desperate searches for indoor activities on wet weather days, we'd discover such a world of innovation? Here's to a summer filled with adventure, discovery and maybe just a little less "I'm bored" now that you've got some brilliant ideas up your sleeve.
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