Play apparatus

Abstract

A base for a play apparatus is disclosed, which includes: a container defining an internal volume and an opening providing access to the internal volume; a removable lid configured to cover the opening; and a securing means operable to secure the lid in place over the opening; where the securing means comprises a first part and a second part, the first part being fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the container and the second part being fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the lid, the first part and the second part being configured to engage directly with each other to secure the lid in place, in use, when the lid is placed over the opening.

1 . A base for a play apparatus comprising:
 a container defining an internal volume and an opening providing access to the internal volume;   a removable lid configured to cover the opening; and   a securing means operable to secure the lid in place over the opening;   wherein the securing means comprises a first part and a second part, the first part being fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the container and the second part being fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the lid, the first part and the second part being configured to engage directly with each other to secure the lid in place, in use, when the lid is placed over the opening.   
     
     
         2 . Abase according to  claim 1 , wherein the action of moving the lid, relative to the container, towards a position at which the lid covers the opening is sufficient to cause the first part and the second part of the securing means to engage with each other. 
     
     
         3 . A base according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing means is configured such that the force required to remove the lid from the container is greater than forces that may typically be exerted on the base during use of a game. 
     
     
         4 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means is configured such that the force required for a user to secure the lid in place over the opening is lower than the force required for a user to remove the lid from the container. 
     
     
         5 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises only the first part and the second part, and the first part and the second part engage directly with each other through a snap fit connection. 
     
     
         6 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein securing means is configured such that the lid is securable in place over the opening by a user exerting a downward force on the lid towards the container, and the lid is removable by exerting an upward force on the lid away from the container, wherein the upward force required to remove the lid from the container is greater than the downward force required to secure the lid in place over the opening. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the first part of the securing means comprises a projection and the second part of the securing means comprises a groove configured to receive the projection. 
     
     
         9 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the groove is defined at least in part by two side walls, at least one of the side walls being resiliently biased to provide a snap fit between the container and the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising one or more release tabs projecting in a direction away from a lower surface of the lid for removing the lid from the container. 
     
     
         11 . The base of  claim 10 , comprising at least two release tabs projecting in a direction away from a lower surface of the lid for removing the lid from the container. 
     
     
         12 . The base of  claim 10 , wherein the release tabs are located at regularly spaced points around the periphery of the lid. 
     
     
         13 . The base of  claim 10 , wherein the lid comprises a ridge and the or one of the resiliently biased side walls comprises the ridge, wherein the ridge extends partially along one side of the lid and terminates before reaching one of the release tabs. 
     
     
         14 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the second part of the securing means comprises an edge of the lid and the first part of the securing means comprises a ledge or groove configured to accommodate the edge of the lid to provide a sliding fit between the container and the lid. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising a handle fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the container, wherein the handle is arranged over a recess formed in the container such that the handle does not protrude beyond the space. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising one or more feet projecting away from an external lower surface of the container, wherein the one or more feet are fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the external lower surface of the container. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising one or more recesses in the top of the lid configured to receive a lower portion of another one of the containers. 
     
     
         21 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising one or more side feet projecting away from an external side surface of the container. 
     
     
         22 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising an aperture located in an upper external surface of the lid for receiving ballast and a plug configured to close the aperture to prevent ballast from being expelled from the container in use, wherein the plug comprises a tab and the lid comprises a recess configured to receive the tab, and a length of the tab is less than a length of the recess. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises an aperture for receiving a pole of a play apparatus for a tetherball game, and the lid comprises: one or more projections extending away from an upper external surface of the lid and extending around the circumference of the aperture; and/or one or more projections extending away from an upper internal surface of the lid and extending around the circumference of the aperture; and/or the lid is thicker in a region near the aperture of the lid through which the pole extends in use. 
     
     
         25 . A play apparatus comprising: a base according to  claim 1 ; and a pole, a lower end of the pole being connected to the base.