Boltless Gym Set

Abstract

A gym set having boltless joining members wherein one member interlocks into the other through gravity friction. This frame construction has plays that are connected to the top horizontal bar of the frame structure, the top bar of the structure having a minimum number of holes for receiving plays, thus allowing for a lighter gauge tubing while at the same time providing a stronger member. The end of one member of the structure having tapered, reinforced ends for insertion within a complementary opening in another member to provide tightening at the interlocked joint of the two members while in use. The top bar having reinforced members extending from its center to its ends, thus eliminating the need of an additional two legs for center support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore gym sets necessitated the use of a multiplicity of nuts and bolts in the assembly of the structure and the plays on said structure. In addition, it necessitated drilling through the members of the structure to connect them to each other and to connect the plays thereon, which, in turn, necessitated the use of heavier gauge members.

Because of a large number of parts, complicated instructions had to be followed by the consumer which made it difficult to assemble a gym set. The large number of different size nuts and bolts resulted in the improper fitting of the structure members and the plays upon them. More difficult was the fact that if any of the parts were missing a large percentage of users wasted the jobber's time in requests for delivery of these parts and further, the large number of different sizes of nuts and bolts presented the problem of misfits, thereby causing dissatisfaction among customers which resulted in the factory receiving many complaints, which again caused loss of time for the jobber in replacing parts.

Further, gym sets heretofore presented insurance problems since the exposed edges of the bolt ends would scrape children's bodies. Additional problems were encountered when, in tightening the bolts, the top bar would flatten in the direction of loading, thus reducing its strength.

Further, a conventional gym set frame holding, for example, six plays necessitated a longer top bar, thereby requiring two additional legs for center support. The two extra legs for support of the longer top bar produced an obstruction in the use of the gym set. Eliminating these two legs would permit an additional play to be installed in their place.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to physical fitness frame structures and, more specifically, to a gym set having boltless joining members wherein one member interlocks into the other through gravity friction. The present invention is basically constructed to provide a boltless frame structure and, in addition, it presents a means of attaching a plurality of plays to the top bar of the frame structure.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a frame structure that can be constructed with lighter gauge tubing while, at the same time, providing a stronger member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a boltless structure that includes interlocking joints that are tightened while in use through gravity friction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame for a gym set that can be manufactured with fewer parts inexpensively and can be readily assembled and disassembled.

A further object of this invention is to provide for a gym set having a top bar that is longer than the top bar of a conventional gym set while eliminating the two center legs.

An additional object of this invention is to provide for a gym set having component parts with fewer holes punched or drilled through so that lighter gauge metal tubing can be used.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, like characters of references have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are side views of members of the invention in the process of their manufacture;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another member of the invention;

FIG. 8, 9, and 10 are views showing the end of the top bar in the process of its manufacture;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the end of the top bar in its assembly;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12--12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the interlocked joint of the top bar and the interlocked legs of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of FIG. 13 with the top bar removed;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the chin bar interlocked joint;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of another embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the joint of FIG. 15 with the leg partially broken to show details;

FIG. 18 is a side view of an attaching means of one of the plays;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an attaching means for another play;

FIG. 20 is a side view showing the attaching means of FIGS. 18 and 19 assembled with the top bar of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view showing one of the plays in operation;

FIGS. 22 to 24 show a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is an end sectional view showing details taken along lines 25--25 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 shows an additional embodiment of the invention; and,

FIGS. 28 to 30 show embodiments of the invention with slight variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawing, typical applications of the present invention are shown. It is to be understood that the present invention has application to any structures wherein the members are interlocked and held by gravity friction and further, in that the members are joined closer together while in use.

Referring to FIG. 1, a gym set 10 is shown having a top rail or bar 12, a pair of legs 14 and 16 supporting the top bar 12 at each end and interlocked therein at joints 18 and 20. The legs 14 and 16 are reinforced by chain bars 22 and 24 respectively to form an "A-frame" configuration. Suspended from the top bar 12 are a plurality of play supports 26, which plays may be of the type that are supported by chains 28 such as swing seats or by uprights 30, which support plays such as lawn swings. The ends of the top bar 12 are covered by plastic tips 31 and 32 to prevent water from being accumulated within the top bar.

Although the instant invention is basically directed to providing a boltless frame structure, the present frame construction is particularly useful in the plays that are connected to the top bar of the frame structure. At least, the broad concepts of this invention are equally applicable for use with all plays connected to the top bar. As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the plays are connected at uppermost points 34 of the top bar 12 by means of hooks 36 inserted within washers 38 and single holes 40 of the top bar 12. Therefore by this method, in using a single hole for attaching the play support, the present invention is provided with a frame structure that can be produced with lighter gauge tubing, yet remains stronger because the holes 40 are not punched or drilled through the tubing, but are drilled only at the upper portion of the tubing.

It may be noted in FIG. 21 that for safety reasons hooks 36 are so designed as to limit its rotating motion and thereby limits the height the play can be propelled.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 to 6, the drawing shows the method the end portions of legs 14 and 16 are constructed to produce a reinforced taper for insertion within a complementary opening in the top bar 12 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 to provide, through gravity friction, tightening at the interlocked joints 18 and 20 of the legs 14 and 16 within the top bar 12 while the gym set is in use. That is, as hereinafter more fully described, the boltless gym structure becomes tighter in use since the weight of the plays directing a force downwardly will cause the legs 14 and 16 at joints 18 and 20 to be inserted further within the top bar 12. Therefore, in this manner, the boltless structure becomes tighter while in use since the weight of the users causes the joints 18 and 20 to be more firmly connected.

In detail, each leg 41, 42 and 43 and 44 of the pair of legs 14 and 16 respectively comprises a tube 46 and a heavier gauge sleeve 48. Each tube 46 has a slot 50 for insertion of the chin bars 22 or 24 by means shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and hereinafter more fully described.

A reinforced end is produced for each leg by inserting the sleeve 48 within an end 52 of the tube 46 of each leg. The end 52 is then flattened and tapered as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows the sleeve 48 inserted within the end 52 of the tube 46, and FIG. 6 shows the end 52 with the sleeve 48 flattened and squeezed into a taper 54.

One leg of each pair of legs 14 and 16, such as leg 41 or 43 remains as shown in FIG. 3, with a slot 56 formed therein and the opposite leg of each pair of legs 14 and 16, such as leg 42 or 44 is cut, as shown in FIG. 4, having a smaller sized end 58 with a taper 60 for insertion within the slot 56 of the legs 41 and 43.

Therefore, the initial taper of each leg 41, 42, 43 and 44 provides for the interlocked joint and, further, securing of these legs within the top bar 12 as the gym set is used and the taper 60 formed in legs 42 and 44 further secure these legs in legs 41 and 43 respectively as the gym is used and as best shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 7 to 12 show the manner in which the end portions of the top bar 12 are fabricated. The top bar 12 comprises a bar or tube 62 having sleeves 64 and 66 of an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of two ends 68 and 70 of the tube 62. As shown in FIG. 10, the sleeves 64 and 66 are fabricated of a flat piece 72 with slots 74, 76, 78, and 80 cut through the plate. The plate is then rolled into a sleeve, as best shown in FIG. 8 for insertion within end 68 or 70 of the tube 62, as shown in FIG. 11.

The tube 62 is fabricated with slots 81 and 82 cut therethrough and indentations 83 and 84 formed substantially diagonally opposite the slots 81 and 82 respectively.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 11 and 12, one end 68 is shown. It should be noted that the same arrangement holds true for the other end 70 of the top bar 12. In FIG. 12, sleeve 64 is shown inserted within end 68 of the top bar 12 with slots 74 and 76 of the sleeve 64 in line with slots 81 and 82 of the end 68 respectively. The sleeve 64 and the end 68 are indented at 86 and 88, as best shown in FIG. 12 to permit easy assembly of the tapered ends of legs 41 and 43 within the end 68 of the top bar 12.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the interlocked joint 18 which is the time as the assembly of joint 20, the tapered end of leg 41 is guided by indentation 86 through slot 82 of end 68 of the top bar 12 to reach the indentation 84 diagonally opposite the slot 82. The slope of the taper at the end of the leg and the size of the slot 82 determining the depth the end of the leg is inserted within the end 68 of the top bar 12. The tapered end of leg 42 is then guided by indentation 88 through slot 81 of the tube 62 and through slot 74 of the sleeve 64 through slot 56 of leg 41 to the indentation 83 of the tube 62.

Here again the slope of the tapers and the size of the slots determine the depth the leg is inserted within the end 68 of the top bar 12 and the depth one leg is inserted within the other.

When the interlocked joint 18 is assembled as hereinbefore described, it is held in place by the tapered end and the slots, but it should be noted that before the application of weight to cause gravity friction connection between the legs 41 and 42, a spring latch 90 is needed to hold the first joint 18 together until joint 20 is assembled in the same manner as described for joint 18. Once the joint 20 is connected and the chin bars 22 and 24 are inserted, as hereinafter more fully described, the spring latch 90 can be removed for insertion of the plastic ends 31 and 32.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show three means of interlocking the chin bars 23 and 24 within the legs 14 and 16 to form the A-frame configuration. FIGS. 15 and 17 show end 92 of the chin bars 22 and 24 flattened and bent so as to be interlocked into slot 50 of the legs. The end 92 is bent at a slight angle downwardly so as to lock in place as the legs are caused to move opposite to each other as the gym set is loaded. The further the legs are moved outwardly the more clamping is caused by this downward angular configuration of the ends 92 of the chin bars 22 and 24.

FIG. 16 shows two other methods of installation of the chin bars 22 and 24 on to the legs 14 and 16. The first method of installation shows an end 96 bent at a 90.degree. angle to the body of a chin bar and inserted within indentation 98 of the leg. Another method of installation is the use of a sharp angular configuration 100 at the very tip of end 102 of the chin bars with the end 102 wrapped around the leg to produce a wrapping effect while at the same time as the legs are moved outwardly due to loading of the gym set, the increase of distance between the legs will cause tip 104 of the angular configuration 100 to be further directed inwardly, as shown by arrow 106, within slot 108 of the legs to more firmly hold the chin bar within the leg.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 18 to 21, the means of attaching the play supports on to the top bar is shown. FIG. 18 shows the attachment of the chain support 26 wherein a rod 110 is bent in a circle having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the top bar 12 and hooked to form ends 112 for insertion within a washer 144 for further insertion within holes 40 of the top bar 12, as hereinbefore described.

Another method of attachment of a play such as a lawn swing is by having a lawn swing upright 116 wrapped around hooks 36 as hereinbefore described, which in turn are connected within the washers 38 and within holes 40 of the top bar 12.

FIGS. 22 to 25 show another embodiment of the invention. In a conventional gym set with six or more plays it was previously necessary to use a central top bar support. That is, the use of an extra A-frame support in the center of the bar. This extra A-frame, while acting as a support, was also an obstruction in the use of the gym set. In addition, the length of the top bar was limited since it was difficult to transport a top bar longer than a prescribed length. In the present embodiment a top bar 120 of substantially twice the length of a conventional top bar is used by separating the top bar at the center into two pieces 121 and 122 connected and supported by an overhead support 124. In addition, support 124 is used instead of the conventional central A-frame support. The overhead support 124 is shown having a vertical bar 126 extended upward from the center of the top bar 120. From the top of this vertical bar 126 extend two bars 128 and 130 which lead from the top of the vertical bar to the ends of the top bar 120 and enter into the top bar 120 at slots 132. The vertical bar 126 is held in position by cotter pin 134. As shown in FIG. 23, the bars 128 and 130 interlock in the top of vertical bar 126. This assembly acts as an overhanging trestle support, thus eliminating the need for the extra central A-frame support.

In addition, this embodiment includes a supporting bar 136 which can extend from either end of the top bar 120 and used to hang an extra play.

As shown in FIG. 25, supporting bar 136 is held firmly between A-frame legs 140 and 142 which have tapered ends such as the legs 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the first embodiment.

The shape of the end of bar 136 which fits into the end of the top bar 120 is triangular as shown in FIG. 24 for firmly wedging between the crossing of the legs, as best shown in FIG. 25. This is also the shape of the ends of the bars 128 and 130 which fit into slots 128 of the top bar 120.

FIG. 25 shows the same gravity friction interconnection between the top bar 120 and legs 141, 142 as that described in the first embodiment and best shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 26 shows that the interlocking joint 18 of FIG. 1, better shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, can be utilized in a conventional central A-frame support. An overhead bar 150 is shown having three A-frame supports 151, 152 and 153 connected by interlocking joints 154, 155 and 156 respectively. Here again, a single hole 158 is used for attaching a play support as hereinbefore described. In this respect, the present invention is provided with A-frame structure having a lighter gauge overhead support yet remaining stronger since the holes supporting the play support are drilled only at the upper portion of the tubing.

FIG. 27 shows how a single overhead bar 160 can be reinforced by an overhead support 164. Support 164 is used in place of the A-frame support 152 of FIG. 26. The support 164 includes a vertical bar 166 which extends upward from the center of the bar 160. From the top of the vertical bar 166 extends bar 168 which leads from the top of the vertical bar 166 to the ends of the overhead bar 160. The vertical bar 166 is held in position between the bar 168 and overhead bar 160 by cotter pins 171 and 172 shown in FIG. 29 in disassembled position. The structure 164 acts as an overhead trestle support thus eliminating the need for the extra central A-frame 152 of FIG. 26.

FIGS. 28 and 30 show another method of interlocking the two-piece top bar 120. The two pieces 121 and 122 are connected and supported by an overhead support 174. Support 174 is used instead of the central A-frame 152 of FIG. 26. The support 174 is shown having a vertical bar 176 extending upward from the center of the top bar 120. On either side of the vertical bar 176 extends a bar 178 which in turn is hooked at its ends 181 and 182 to the top end portions of the pieces 121 and 122 of the overhead bar 120. The support 174 acts as a trestle to support the overhead bar 120 without the need for an extra central A-from 152 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 26.

The invention described may therefore be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular devices selected to illustrate the invention are but two of many possible embodiments of the same. The invention therefore is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gym set comprising a top bar, leg means for support of said top bar and a plurality of play supports connected to said top bar, said top bar having holes at its upper portion for receiving said play supports, said play supports including hooked ends for insertion within the holes of said top bar and supported thereby, said leg means includes a first leg and a second leg, said first leg having a tapered end and said second leg having a tapered end with a slot formed therein of a complementary predetermined size to receive the tapered end of said first leg and thereby forming a crossing therewith and further, wherein said top bar having slots of a complementary predetermined size to receive the tapered ends of said first leg and said second leg resulting in a gravity friction connection between said first leg and said second leg, and a gravity friction connection between said mentioned legs and said top bar as the gym set is used.

2. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said first leg and said second leg of said leg means are each formed of an elongated tube having open ends and said structure further comprises a sleeve for insertion at one end of said first leg and said second leg and wherein said ends are flattened to produce reinforced tapered ends for insertion within the slots of said top bar.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said top bar comprises a pair of horizontal pieces coaxially connected at one end thereof at the center of said top bar and an overhanging trestle supporting the center of said top bar at the connection of said two horizontal sections and extending to interconnect the legs at the connection of said legs with said top bar.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said trestle comprises a vertical bar threaded through the center of said top bar at the connecting ends of said two pieces and extending upwardly thereof, and a pair of opposed bars extending from the top of said vertical bar to the connection of said legs with said top bar, and inserted within the crossings of said legs and held in place thereby by said trestle structure supports.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the ends of said pair of opposed bars are of tapered triangular configuration interconnecting said legs and said top bar at the crossings of said legs.

6. The structure of claim 4 further comprising end bars extending from the free ends of said top bar, and said end bars including ends of tapered triangular configuration for firmly wedging between the crossings of said legs, said end bars being adapted for use with an additional play supports at the ends of said top bar as needed.