U.S. patent application number 10/185254 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for connection system for playground structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Little Tikes Company a corporation of the State of Ohio. Invention is credited to Heipp, Shawn, Norton, John J..
Application Number | 20040002394 10/185254 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29779577 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040002394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heipp, Shawn ; et
al. |
January 1, 2004 |
Connection system for playground structure
Abstract
A playground structure has a playhouse with a base and a
platform. The base and platform are separated by a variety of
vertical posts. The vertical posts are secured to the base by a
plurality of supports that are positioned within pockets in the
base. The vertical posts are secured to the platform by a plurality
of supports positioned within pockets in the platform.
Inventors: |
Heipp, Shawn; (Middleburg
Heights, OH) ; Norton, John J.; (Kent, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael L. Kenaga
PIPER RUDNICK
P.O. Box 64807
Chicago
IL
60664-0807
US
|
Assignee: |
The Little Tikes Company a
corporation of the State of Ohio
|
Family ID: |
29779577 |
Appl. No.: |
10/185254 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/136 ;
472/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 2009/006 20130101; A63G 21/00 20130101; A63B 17/00 20130101;
A63G 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/136 ;
472/116 |
International
Class: |
E04H 003/14; A63G
031/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A playground structure comprising: a base having a plurality of
pockets disposed therein; a plurality of first supports positioned
within the pockets in the base; a plurality of vertical posts,
wherein the vertical posts are secured to the base by the plurality
of first supports positioned within the pockets in the base; a
platform having a plurality of pockets disposed therein, the
platform positioned above the base; and a plurality of second
supports positioned within the pockets in the platform, the
vertical posts secured to the platform by the plurality of second
supports.
2. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the first support
is circular with at least one outwardly extending projection, and
the shape of the pocket in the base corresponds to the shape of the
first support.
3. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the pocket in the
base has an opening therethrough and is located within the
underside of the base.
4. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the pocket in the
base has an opening therethrough and is located within the top of
the base.
5. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the first support
has holes and the post has holes located at one end of the post,
whereby the holes of the first support are aligned with the holes
in the post and a fastener extends through the holes and secures
the support to the post.
6. The playground structure of claim 3, wherein the base has at
least one pocket with an opening therethrough positioned within the
top surface of the base, whereby the pocket within the top surface
is positioned over the pocket within the underside of the base.
7. The playground structure of claim 6, wherein the base has an
opening extending from the top of the base, through the aligned
pockets to the underside of the base.
8. The playground structure of claim 7, wherein the post is
disposed in the base through the pocket in the underside of the
base and the pocket in the top of the base.
9. The playground structure of claim 6, wherein an annular plate is
positioned in the pocket in the top of the base for supporting the
connection between the post and the base.
10. The playground structure of claim 9, wherein the annular plate
has at least one hole disposed in the top surface for receiving a
fastener to secure the annular plate to the base.
11. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the second support
is circular with at least one outwardly extending projection, and
the shape of the pockets in the platform corresponds to the shape
of the second support.
12. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the pocket in the
platform has a opening therethrough and is located within the
underside of the platform.
13. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the second support
has holes and the post has holes located at approximately the
middle of the post, wherein the holes of the second support are
aligned with the holes in the middle of the post and a fastener
extends through the holes to secure the second support to the
post.
14. The playground structure of claim 1, wherein the platform has
an opening from the top of the platform, through the pocket to the
underside of the platform.
15. The playground structure of claim 14, wherein the post is
disposed in the platform such that the post extends through the
pocket in the underside of the platform and upwardly out of the
platform.
16. The playground structure of claim 15, wherein a roof is
attached to the post extending upwardly from the platform thereby
covering the platform.
17. A method of assembling a playground structure comprising the
steps of: fastening one end of a post to a first support; placing a
base on one side; inserting the post and first support combination
through a hole in a bottom of the base, wherein the first support
remains disposed within a pocket in the bottom of the base; turning
the base so that the bottom of the base is positioned on the
ground; positioning a plate over the post, wherein the plate is
disposed within a pocket in the top of the base; inserting a second
support on the free end of the post; fastening the second support
to the post; and inserting the post and second support combination
through a hole in a bottom of a platform, wherein the second
support remains disposed within a pocket in the bottom of the
platform.
18. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 17,
wherein the step of fastening one end of a post to the first
support further comprises the step of fastening a first support to
a plurality of posts.
19. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
further comprising the step of inserting the post and first support
combinations through holes located at corners of the base.
20. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein the step of fastening the first support to the post
includes the step of aligning holes in the support with holes in
the post and inserting a fastener through the holes to secure the
first support to the post.
21. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein the step of positioning a plate over the post further
includes positioning a plate over a plurality of posts.
22. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 21
further comprising the step of: fastening the plate to the base
thereby securing the post to the base.
23. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 17
further comprising the step of: fastening the plate to the base
thereby securing the post to the base.
24. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 22
further comprising the step of, inserting at least one fastener
into the top of the plate to fasten the plate to the base.
25. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 23
further comprising the step of, inserting at least one fastener
into the top of the plate to fasten the plate to the base.
26. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein prior to the step of fastening the second support to the
post, positioning the second support at approximately the center of
the post.
27. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein the step of fastening the second support to the post
includes the step of aligning holes in the second support with
holes in the post and inserting a fastener through the holes to
secure the second support to the post.
28. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein the step of fastening the post to the second support
further comprises fastening a second support to each of the
plurality of posts.
29. The method of assembling the playground structure of claim 18,
wherein the step of inserting the post and second support
combination through a hole in a bottom of a platform includes
positioning the post through the platform such that a portion of
the post extends upwardly from the platform.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to an outdoor
playground set, and more particularly to a connection system for an
outdoor playground set.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Outdoor playground sets are well known in the art. The
playground sets are generally made from metal, plastic, wood or a
combination thereof. The playground set typically includes a
variety of activity devices such as swings, a slide, a rope for
children to climb and a playhouse. The playground set is generally
formed from a variety of components that interconnect to form the
playground set.
[0003] For example, the components of the playground set formed
from plastic have been interconnected in a tongue and groove
fashion. The components of the playground set formed from wood have
been interconnected by brackets secured to the component by a
fastener, such as a bolt or a screw, or the wood components are
secured to each other merely by fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. Des.
347,458 illustrates a child's play gym with a plurality of the
members of the play system having a projection or a tongue
extending in a outwardly direction. As shown in the illustrated
play gym, the tongue portion would be in contact with the ground
thereby requiring a hole in the ground or an additional anchoring
component to secure the playground set. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 250,783,
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 268,858 and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 440,623
illustrate playground sets that are formed from various components
fastened together at a central point where the components
intersect. The playground set of U.S. Pat. No. Des. 440,623 also
includes a plurality of ladders which enable a child to reach the
elevated activity system. Most of the ladders include a support
secured to the bottom of the ladder thereby providing a means to
balance the playground set.
[0004] The connection systems of the prior art playground sets,
however, are often difficult to assemble since the playground
component pieces are required to be fastened at certain angles or
some of the components are required to be anchored within a hole in
the ground. Also, the connection systems of the playground sets
fail to provide a secure support that may be used on flat or uneven
surfaces.
[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a connection system
for a playground set that is easy to assemble and provides a secure
connection for the playground set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a playground
structure has a playhouse with a base and a platform. The base and
platform of the playhouse are separated by a plurality of vertical
posts. The posts are secured to the base by a plurality of supports
that are positioned within a pocket in the base. The posts are
secured to the platform by a plurality of supports that are
positioned within a pocket in the platform.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of
assembling the playhouse is disclosed. The playhouse is assembled
by fastening one end of a post to a support. The post and support
combination is inserted through a hole in the bottom of the base
while the base is positioned on its side. Once all of the posts are
installed in the base, the base is turned so that the bottom
surface of the base is on the ground. A plate is positioned over
the post and disposed within a pocket in the bottom of the
platform. A support is inserted on the free end of the post and
fastened to the post. The post and support combination are inserted
through a hole in the bottom of a platform. The support is disposed
within a pocket in the bottom of the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further aspects of the invention and their advantages may be
discerned from the following description when taken in conjunction
with the drawings, in which like characters number like parts and
in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the playground set of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective partially exploded view of the
playground set in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the playground set of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the playground set taken
along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sectional detail of the connection system of the
playground set taken of section 5 in FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the playground set of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the playground set taken
along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sectional detail of the connection system of the
playground set taken of section 8 in FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the base plate used
in the connection system of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the base plate of FIG.
9;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the base plate of FIG. 9;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the base plate taken
along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the base plate taken
along line 13-13 of FIG. 11;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the base plate taken
along line 14-14 of FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the base support used
in the connections system of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the base support of
FIG. 15;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the base support of FIG.
15;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the base support taken
along line 18-18 of FIG. 17;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the base support taken
along line 19-19 of FIG. 17;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the base support taken
along line 20-20 of FIG. 19;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of the platform support
used in the connection system of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the platform support
of FIG. 21;
[0031] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the platform support of FIG.
21;
[0032] FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the platform support
taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23;
[0033] FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of the platform support
taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 23; and
[0034] FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the platform support
taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates the playground set 100 of the present
invention. The playground set includes a plurality of activity
items for children. In the illustrated embodiment, the playground
set includes, but is not limited to, a bi-level playhouse 110 with
a roof 112, a rope climber 114, a slide 116, a ladder 118 and a
sandbox 122 located within the first level of the playhouse 110.
The various activity devices enable children to enter and exit the
playhouse. The playhouse 110 and various activity devices, such as
the slide 116 and ladder 118, are rotational molded from a material
such as polyethylene. The playhouse also includes metal posts 180
that provide structural support for the playhouse.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the bi-level playhouse includes a base
120 and a platform 140. The base 120 includes two containers 122,
124 where, if desired, one container 122 is used as a sandbox and
the other container 124 may be filled with water. The base 120
includes a variety of attachment configurations used to attach the
various activity devices to the playhouse 110 to form the
playground set 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 120
includes a channel 126 to receive ladder 118, notches 128 to
receive a support 117 for the slide 116 and grooves 130 to receive
an end of the rope climber 114.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the base 120 also includes a plurality
of pockets 132, 134 formed therein. The pockets 132, 134 are
located around the container 122 with at least one pocket
positioned near each of the corners of the container 122. In the
illustrated embodiment, the base 120 includes four pockets 132 that
are formed within the underside or bottom 123 of the base 120. The
base 120 also-includes two circular pockets 134 formed within the
top 121 of the base. The circular pockets 134 located in the top
121 of the base 120 are positioned directly above the pockets 132
formed in the underside 123 of the base (See FIG. 5).
[0038] The base 120 also includes a plurality of circular openings
131. The post 180 are disposed within the openings 131. Each
circular opening 131 extends from the top of the base, through
pocket 134, if present, and pocket 132 to the bottom surface of the
base. The posts 180 are secured to the base 120, as will be
described in detail below, by a connection system that includes a
plurality of support members.
[0039] The platform 140 of the playhouse 110 is supported above the
base 120 by four metal posts 180. The platform 140 also includes
circular openings 151 that are aligned with the circular openings
131 to enable the upright post 180 to be disposed therethrough.
Each circular opening 151 extends from the top 141 of the platform
140, through pockets 150 to the bottom surface 143 of the platform
140. Thus, the metal posts 180 extend from the base 120, through
the platform 140 to the roof 112 of the playhouse 110 (see FIG.
1).
[0040] The platform 140 also includes various attachment
configurations used to attach the activity devices to the
playground set. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the top surface 141 of
the platform 140 includes notches 148 to receive the slide 116,
grooves 146 for receiving the top of the rope climber 114, an
opening 144 for receiving the top of the ladder 118 and channels
142 for receiving the sidewalls 113 of the playhouse 110.
[0041] The platform 140 also includes pockets 150 formed in the
underside or bottom 143 of the platform 140. (See FIGS. 4 and 7).
The pockets 150 are located near the corners of the platform 140
such that the pockets 150 align with the pockets 132 and 134 (if
present) that are located in the base 120. Thus, the metal posts
180 may extend from the pockets 132, 134 in the base 120 through
the pocket 150 in the platform to the roof 112. The posts 180 are
secured to the platform 140, as will be described in detail below,
by the connection system that includes a support member.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the posts secured to the
base and the platform of the playhouse. FIG. 6 illustrates a front
view of the posts secured to the base and platform of the
playhouse. FIGS. 4 and 7 illustrate the pockets 132 and 134 formed
in the base 120 and the pocket 150 formed in the platform 140.
FIGS. 4 and 7 also illustrate the support members 220, 240 and 260
located within the pockets 132, 134 and 150, respectively, that are
used to secure the metal post 180 to the base 120 and the platform
140 of the playhouse 110.
[0043] The connection system used to connect the posts 180 to the
base 120 is illustrated in FIG. 5. As previously discussed, the
base 120 includes pockets 132 formed in the underside 123 of the
base 120 and pockets 134 formed in the inside surface of the top
121 of the base 120. The pockets 132 and 134 are located near the
corners of the container 122. The pockets 132 formed in the
underside of the base 120 are sized to accommodate the base support
220 as installed on the post 180. The pockets 134 formed in the
inside surface of the top 121 of the base 120 are sized to
accommodate the base plate 240 as installed on the post 180.
[0044] FIGS. 9-14 illustrate the base plate 240 of the present
invention. As shown in FIGS. 9-14, the base plate 240 is an annular
collar or support. As shown in FIG. 9, the base plate 240 is
partially hollow with a plurality of spaced apart ribs 243. The
base plate 240 includes a top 242, a bottom edge 244, sides 246 and
an inner sleeve 249 defined by a circular opening 248 therethrough.
The opening 248 of the inner sleeve 249 is configured to matingly
receive the posts 180. The size of the inner sleeve and the opening
may vary depending on the circumference of the posts. The opening
248 in the base plate is aligned with the opening 131 in the
base.
[0045] The top 242 of the base plate 240 includes indentations 254
positioned across from each other. In the illustrated embodiment,
there are two indentations 254 that have a rectangular shape. The
number of the indentations and the shape may vary. An opening or
hole 250 is located in each of the indentations 254. The opening
250 defines a cavity 252 that is disposed in the base plate 240 and
extends from the indentation 254 to the bottom edge 244. The
opening 250 is adapted to receive a fastener to secure the base
plate 240 to the pocket 134 positioned within the top 121 of the
base 120.
[0046] FIGS. 15-20 illustrate the base support 220 of the present
invention. The base support 220 has a top 221, a bottom edge 222
(see FIG. 16), sides 223 and a circular opening 224 located within
the top 221. The opening 224 defines a cylindrical housing 234 with
a bottom surface 236. The opening 224 in the housing is aligned
with the opening 131 in the base. As shown in FIG. 16, the bottom
surface 236 includes a plurality of fins 237 used to provide
support to the cylindrical housing 234. The bottom surface 236 of
the housing also includes a circular hole 238 to allow any moisture
or condensation to escape the housing 234.
[0047] The base support 220 is defined by a circular portion 226
with two polyhedron shaped projections 228 extending from opposing
sides of the circular portion 226. As such, as shown in FIG. 5, the
pocket 132 includes a circular portion 135 with two polyhedron
shaped projections 136 that extend from opposing sides. This
enables the base support 220, as installed on a post, to matingly
engage the pocket 132.
[0048] The base support 220 includes two sleeves 230 wherein each
sleeve 230 extends from a hole 233 in the center of one of the
projections 228 to the cylindrical housing 234 (see FIGS. 16 and
20). The sleeves 230 define an open passageway from the outer
surface of the base support 220 to the cylindrical housing 234. The
polyhedron shaped projections 228 include cavities 231 separated by
an upright 232 (see FIG. 19). The cavities 231 are disposed within
the top of the projection 228 and extend to approximately the
middle of the projection 228. Each cavity 231 downwardly extends to
the upper surface of the sleeve 230 thereby defining the shape of
the sleeve 230. When the post 180 is installed in the base support
220, the holes 182 in the post 180 are aligned with the sleeves 230
so that a fastener 229, such as a bolt or a screw, may be inserted
through the sleeves 230 and the post to secure the post 180 to the
base support 220.
[0049] The connection system used to connect the post 180 to the
platform 140 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The platform 140 includes
pockets 150 formed in the underside 143 of the platform 140. The
pockets 150 are sized to accommodate the platform support 260. The
platform support 260 is illustrated in FIGS. 21-26. The platform
support 260 is identical to the base support 220 except that the
cylindrical housing 274 includes an opening 264 therethrough. The
platform support 260 has a top 261, a bottom edge 262, sides 263
and a cylindrical housing 274 with an opening therethrough. The
opening 264 is aligned with the opening 151 in the platform.
[0050] The platform support 260 is circular 266 with polyhedron
shaped projections 268 extending from opposing sides, identical to
the base post support 220 illustrated in FIGS. 15-20. The
projections 268 include sleeves 270 that extend from a hole 273 in
the projection 268 to a housing 274 defined by the opening 264. The
projections 268 also include cavities 271 separated by an upright
272. The cavities 271 are located within the top of the projection
268 and are positioned in the middle of the projection 268. Each
cavity 271 downwardly extends to the upper surface of the sleeve
270.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the post 180 is positioned through
opening 151 in the platform and the center of the platform support
260. The sleeves 270 of the platform support 260 align with the
holes 184 in the post 180. A fastener 229, such as a bolt or a
screw, is inserted through the sleeves 270 and the post 180 to
secure the platform support 260 to the post 180.
[0052] The connection system of the present invention facilitates
assembly of the playhouse. To assemble the playhouse, a post is
inserted into one of the base supports. The holes and sleeves in
the post are aligned with the holes in the base support. A
fastener, such as a bolt, is inserted at one side of the base
support and pushed through the aligned holes in the post and the
base support. A nut is attached to the bolt at the opposite side of
the base support to fasten the connection between the base support
and the post. A base support is attached to one end of the
remaining three posts used to form the playhouse.
[0053] Each post and base support combination is insert into one of
the pockets located in the underside of the base. To facilitate
installation, the base is placed on one side so that the underside
or bottom of the base and the four pockets are exposed. Once the
four post and base support combinations have been installed in the
pockets in the underside of the base, the base is turned upright so
that the bottom surface of the base and the base supports rest on
the ground. The base supports anchor the posts to prevent the posts
from pulling up through and out of the base.
[0054] A base plate is positioned over two posts and inserted into
the pocket in the top of the base. The base plates are secured to
the pocket and the base by fasteners, such as bolts. The base plate
prevents the post from shifting or from being repositioned out of
the base. As shown in FIG. 1, a ladder 118 is attached to one side
of the base 120. The ladder 118 prevents the posts positioned
adjacent the ladder from moving downward into the ground. As a
result, it is not necessary to place a base plate over the posts
that are positioned next to or on the same side as the ladder.
Alternatively, if the playhouse does not include a ladder piece
attached to the base, a base plate would be positioned over each
post and disposed in a pocket in the base in order to secure the
posts to the base.
[0055] Next, the top of the posts are connected to the platform
supports. The platform supports are identical in shape to the base
support except the platform supports are hollow. A platform support
is inserted over the top of each of the posts. The holes and
sleeves in the platform support are aligned with the holes in the
middle of the post. A fastener, such as a bolt, is inserted at one
side of the platform support and through the aligned holes to the
other side of the platform support. A nut is inserted on the bolt
to fasten the connection between the post and the platform
support.
[0056] Next, the openings in the platform are aligned with the
posts. The platform is lowered onto the four posts. The posts with
the attached platform support are inserted into the openings
located near the corners of the platform. The four posts extend
from the top of the platform while the platform supports remain
disposed in the pockets located in the underside of the platform.
The platform supports support the platform and any weight that is
exerted thereon. The roof of the playhouse is then attached to the
posts that extend upwardly from the platform. The posts are
inserted into openings located within the underside of the roof.
Also, if desired, side walls may be attached to the post to form
the walls of the playhouse.
[0057] The connection system described facilitates assembly of
playhouses and provides a secure support for the structure that may
be used on a variety of surfaces.
[0058] Therefore, while the invention has been described with
respect to the illustrated embodiment, it is not limited thereto,
but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *