U.S. patent number 3,724,078 [Application Number 05/116,683] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-03 for lock joint for fabricated platform assemblies.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gym-Dandy, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward T. Carlin, Bobby L. White.
United States Patent |
3,724,078 |
Carlin , et al. |
April 3, 1973 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
LOCK JOINT FOR FABRICATED PLATFORM ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
A platform assembly fabricated from a pair of channel-like
supporting rails and one or more channel plate platform members end
connected into the opposing channel grooves of the rails through
longitudinally spaced slots in the lower rail, channel groove, side
faces receiving the dependent channel plate side flanges and
upstanding, button punched, protuberances formed at the opposite
ends of the channel plate main body to interlockingly engage with
the upper rail, channel groove, side faces. A positive interlock
and smooth rounded exposed flange edge construction is secured by
return bending the free flange edges of both the rails and channel
plate platform members upon themselves so the spaced rails slots
can be formed in the return bent portions of the lower rail,
channel groove, side faces and the upstanding protuberances may be
cammingly engaged with the return bent portions of the upper rail,
channel groove, side faces during endwise entry of the channel
plate ends into the rail channel grooves to final home position
with the protuberances end butted with the terminal ends of the
return bent portions of the upper rail, channel groove, side
faces.
Inventors: |
Carlin; Edward T. (Shreveport,
LA), White; Bobby L. (Shreveport, LA) |
Assignee: |
Gym-Dandy, Inc. (Bossier City,
LA)
|
Family
ID: |
26814493 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/116,683 |
Filed: |
February 18, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
863603 |
Oct 3, 1969 |
3601397 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/177; 52/798.1;
211/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
9/00 (20130101); F16B 12/20 (20130101); A63B
2208/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
9/00 (20060101); F16B 12/00 (20060101); F16B
12/20 (20060101); E04f 011/16 (); E04c
002/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/614,625,626,627,177,588,241,349 ;108/153 ;211/153 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Perham; Alfred C.
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This is a division of copending application Ser. No. 863,603 filed
Oct. 3, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,397, entitled PLAY CENTER
HAVING TABLE, SWING, SLIDE AND GYMNASTIC BARS.
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A platform assembly for use in forming table tops, bench seats,
stand platforms and the like without the need of separable
fasteners comprising a pair of support channels the respective side
flanges of which along their free longitudinal edges are provided
with integral, inwardly disposed, return bent flange-like lips, one
of which is spaced from its supporting flange and the other of
which is provided at preselected longitudinally spaced intervals
with through notches; and at least one platform channel having:
a. dependent side flanges spaced and dimensioned to permit forced
entry of the opposite ends of said platform channel between said
one flange-like lip of the opposing side flange of said pair of
support channels when said dependent side flanges are aligned with
the through notches of said other flange-like lip of said support
channels; and
b. a flange connecting web provided adjacent its opposite ends with
upstanding button punch protuberances arranged with their curved
walls disposed toward said respective web ends and their abutment
faces spaced inwardly from the respective web ends a distance equal
to the spacing of the free edge of said one flange-like lip from
the web of said respective support channels, whereby upon forceful
insertion of said platform channel ends into said support channels
said button punch protuberances will deflect said one flange-like
lip toward its associated supporting flange during insertion and
release said one flange-like lip, upon full insertion to dispose
said button punch abutment faces beyond the free lip edge, to
return toward its initial non-deflected position into opposing
relation to said button punch abutment faces thereby interlocking
the respective ends of said platform channel ends against axial and
lateral relative movement with respect to its associated support
channel.
2. The platform assembly of claim 1 wherein said support channels
are of equal preselected lengths, said other flange-like lip of
each support channel is provided adjacent opposite ends with spaced
pairs of preselected longitudinally spaced notches adapted to be
oppositely aligned, and respective platform channels are assembled
in the respective opposed pairs of spaced notches thereby providing
a bench seat platform adapted to be associated with a table
structure to provide bench seats.
3. The platform assembly of claim 1 wherein said support channels
are of equal preselected lengths, said other flange-like lip of
each support channel is provided in close equi-spaced distances
from its longitudinal midpoint with spaced pairs of preselected
longitudinally spaced notches adapted to be oppositely aligned, and
respective platform channels have their web surfaces inwardly of
said button punch protuberances longitudinally embossed are
assembled in the respective opposed pairs of spaced notches thereby
providing a platform for use as tread surface.
4. The platform assembly of claim 1 wherein said support channels
are of equal preselected lengths, said other flange-like lip of
each support channel is provided in close equispaced distances from
its longitudinal midpoint with spaced pairs of preselected
longitudinally spaced notches adapted to be oppositely aligned, and
respective platform channels having planar web surfaces inwardly of
said button punch protuberances are assembled in the respective
opposed pairs of spaced notches thereby providing a platform for
use as a table top.
5. The platform assembly of claim 1 wherein said support channels
are of equal preselected lengths, said other flange-like lip of
each support channel is provided at spaced intervals equal to twice
the width of said platform channels with respective through notches
dimensioned to receive a single platform channel dependent flange
and midway between said respective through notches with a double
sized through notch, said respective notches being adapted to be
oppositely aligned, and respective platform channels are assembled
in said spaced notches with their adjacent dependent flanges
abuttingly engaged in said double sized notch thereby providing a
continuous surfaced platform.
6. The platform assembly of claim 1 wherein said web surfaces of
said platform channels inwardly of said button punch protuberances
are longitudinally embossed to provide a continuous tread surfaced
platform.
Description
The present lock jointed platform assembly was developed to provide
a platform construction that would be tamper-free, cut free and
snag free, particularly when employed in devices such as table and
seat structures, slide platforms, and like structures exemplified
in the childrens play center of the aforesaid parent application.
In the past, fabricated platform structures of this general type
have usually employed separable fasteners to secure the platform
members to the supporting rails and the exposed plate and rail
edges as well as the separable fasteners have for the most part
been subject to loosening in use and presented sharp corners likely
to cut or snag the person and clothing of those using the platform
structures. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by
providing a lasting positive connection between the platform
members and rails and inturned rounded exposed corners.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of this invention resides in
providing a fabricated platform assembly composed of a pair of
channel-like support rails the side faces of which are disposed in
spaced opposed relation with the lower side faces cross slotted to
receive in end butted relation the opposite ends of the dependent
side faces of channel-plate platform members provided inwardly from
their respective ends with upstanding, button punched,
protuberances disposed to interlockingly cooperate with the upper
side faces of the opposed support rails.
Still another object of the present invention resides in providing
a novel platform assembly composed of a pair of opposed
channel-like support rails and one or more channel-like platform
members fixedly end fitted into the opposed channels of the support
rails without the need of separable fasteners of any kind.
A still further object of the present invention resides in mounting
a vertically spaced pair of platform assemblies formed according to
the previous object in vertically spaced relation to the lower runs
of one end frame assembly and the adjacently related end runs of
said side frame assemblies, the upper of said platform assemblies
comprising a pair of platform members adjacently centered with
respect to an opposed pair of support rails to form a table and the
lower of said platform assemblies comprising a pair of platform
members respectively connected to the adjacent opposed ends of a
longer pair of support rails to form respective bench type seats
extending in longitudinal parallelism to said table platform
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Additional objects will appear from the foregoing description and
appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
fIG. 1 is a perspective view of a play center provided with
platform assemblies constructed in accord with the present
invention showing several children playing;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platform construction of the
present invention arranged with adjacently centered platform
members to form the table or slide approach platform of the present
invention; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking
in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the axial locking
association of the button punch interlock formations of the
platform members with the inturned lip of the support rails and the
lateral locking association of the inturned lips of the platform
members with the opposing wall of the notches formed in the rolled
edge of the lower support rail flanges.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With continued reference to the drawings wherein the same reference
numerals are used throughout the several views to indicate the same
parts, the play center of the present invention comprises a
skeletal main frame 20 made up of a pair of identical side frame
assemblies 21 (FIG. 1), a single cross frame assembly 22, a pair of
identical end frame assemblies 23 having ground engaging outboard
cross runs stabilizing main frame 20 against endwise tilting, and a
reinforcing truss assembly 24 forming with the end portions of
cross frame assembly 22 in the final assembly of main frame 20
respective oppositely laterally extending, outrigger frame sections
stabilizing main frame 20 against sidewise tilting. Assembled main
frame 20 is arranged to suspend a swing assembly 30 from the upper
cross run of a first end frame assembly 23; to support between the
side runs of the second end frame assembly 23 and the adjacently
related end runs of the two side frame assemblies 21 a multi-use
platform assemblage 27, 28, serving alternately as a picnic
table-bench unit, a crawl through play tunnel, a walk across stile,
and a two sided step ladder to gain access to the upper cross run
of the other end frame assembly 23 and the adjacently right
angularly related upper side frame runs designed for use as a
chinning and swing bar and parallel bars for performing gymnastic
exercises; to support between the outrigger frame section at one
side and the adjacently related runs of a first side frame assembly
21 and the vertical side run of the first end section frame
assembly 23 a sliding board approach ladder, approach platform 26,
and sliding board 29 assembly; and to support between the vertical
runs of the outrigger frame section at the other side staggered
wide tread ladder steps 25 alternately used as a ladder to gain
access to the upper runs of main frame 20 used as a play lookout
tower, tree house or the like with the wide tread steps being also
used as seats when playing imaginative games of war, cowboys and
indians, forest rangers, and the like. Each of the frame assemblies
21, 22, 23 and 24 are formed of angularly related runs of tubular
pipe stock the ends of which are adapted to be telescopically
connected and fixedly bolted together by the purchaser so the parts
may be boxed and shipped in knocked down form to conserve shipping
space and minimize shipping and handling costs. These various units
may be selectively dimensioned to serve the needs of children of
preschool age or older. In either case the construction of the
overall structure as well as the respective frame assemblies will
be identical except for pipe stock sizes and dimensions, larger and
heavier pipe stock being used in the larger size units to assure
adequate strength and safety.
While the slide board approach platform 26 and table and bench seat
platforms 27 and 28, may be variously constructed, the present
invention contemplates a novel construction which may be
preassembled without the need of separable fastener elements for
unitary installation. While this novel platform structure is here
shown for use in providing slide approach platform 26, table
platform 27 and bench seat platform 28, it is to be understood that
the construction is of general utility and may be employed to form
platforms adapted for any desired use. For example, the platform
construction may be employed to form seats and foot platforms for
home yard and porch gliders, for bench seats designed for general
use, and for picnic and table structures of general utility.
As will appear from a consideration of FIGS. 2 and 3 of the
drawings detailing the table platform 27, each platform comprises a
pair of identical platform support channels 131 and a pair of
platform channels 132, which, in the case larger surface areas or
abutting surface areas are desired, can be multiplied as
desired.
Referring for the moment to support channels 131, each support
channel comprises a channel member of a preselected length
comprising a pair of spaced flanges 133 and 134 interconnected
along adjacently related sides by an integrally formed web 135
through drilled at 136 adjacent the opposite ends adapting support
channel 131 for bolted connection at 38 (FIG. 1) to frame runs 36,
79 in the case of platforms 27 and 28 and to runs 53, 62 and the
slide board hand and support rails 137 in the case of platform 26.
Through drilled openings 136 will be omitted, of course, in cases
where such a bolted connection is not required or will be relocated
in other selected locations along web 135 where a different bolted
connection is required.
As best seen in FIG. 2, the free ends of flanges 133 and 134
terminate in vertically spaced aligned relation and are
respectively provided with an inturned, slightly spaced, return
bent lip 138 and an inturned rolled lip 139. Rolled lip 139 is
suitably notched at longitudinally spaced intervals as indicated at
141 or a double width notch as indicated at 142 in place of the two
inner notches 141 for a purpose to be presently pointed out.
Still referring to FIG. 11, platform channels 132 each comprise a
channel member of a preselected length comprising a pair of spaced
flanges 143 and 144 interconnected by a wide web 145 the center
areas of which may, if desired, be embossed as indicated at 146.
The free ends of flanges 143 and 144 are provided with an inturned,
slightly spaced, return bent lip 147 the thickness and spacing of
which is designed together with the thickness of the respective
flanges to freely fit within the notches 141 of support channels
131 as shown in FIG. 3 with the outer flange faces lightly abutting
the opposing notch edges thereby fixing the platform channels
against lateral shifting movement relative to support channels 131.
In event a solid platform surface area rather than a divided
platform surface area is desired then a pair of platform channels
132 having respectively wider webs 145 would be selected so the
adjacently related faces of flanges 143 and 144 could be face
butted in notch 142 as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 3. Webs 145
at laterally spaced points inwardly from their opposite ends are
likewise button punched as indicated at 148 to form upstanding
interlock formations providing an upwardly semispherical wall
facing toward the respective opposite ends of web 145 and a
diametrically laterally disposed abutment edge 149 facing toward
the center of webs 145. The inward spacing of these button punched
interlock formations 148 is preselected so that the axial distance
of abutment edges 149 inwardly from the adjacently related ends of
webs 143 will approximate but not exceed the distance between the
inner face of webs 135 and the inturned free edge of lips 138 of
support channels 131. This is done so that axial insertion of the
respective ends of webs 145 into notches 140 or 141 and 142 of the
respective support channels 131 will result in a momentary camming
engagement between the semispherical wall of the interlock
formations and the opposing surfaces of lips 138 raising lip 138
toward its support flange 133 followed by a snapping back of lip
138 to its normal spaced position as abutment edges 149 pass
inwardly of the free edge of lip 138. Once this insertion is made,
axial retracting movement of the platform channels 132 from support
channels 131 can be accomplished only by destructive deformation of
the portions of lip 138 in the area of the interlock formations. It
follows, therefore, that a permanent interlocked assembly of the
support channels 131 and platform channels 132 is assured by this
novel platform construction without the aid of separable
fasteners.
Once the preassembly of platforms 26, 27 and 28 is effected, these
respective platforms are assembled as a unit onto skeletal frame 20
by through bolting their respective support channel ends as shown
at 38 in FIG. 1 to frame runs 53 and 62 in the case of platform 26
with the upper end of frame run 63, which is flattened out at its
upper end adapting it to be abuttingly clamped behind the
adjacently related dependent flange 143 of the end mounted platform
channel as shown in FIG. 1 and to frame runs 36 and 79 as shown at
38 in the case of platforms 27 and 28 as also shown in FIG. 1. The
opposite end of slide approach platform 26 together with the upper
end of slide board 29 are then through bolted to the straight runs
151 of hand rails 137 as shown at 38 in FIG. 1. The upper ends of
the return bent runs 152 of hand rails 137 are then through bolted
as shown at 38 in FIG. 1 to frame runs 53 and 62 in vertically
spaced crossing relation above platform 26 while the lower ends of
straight runs 153 of hand rails 137 are through bolted to frame
runs 53 and 62 in cross relation at 38 using the same bolt and nut
assemblies used to secure the telescoped ends of runs 53 and 62 to
the upstanding legs of the adjacent frame corner members 54 and
adjacent U-shaped member 61. The lower end of slide board 29 is
supported in spaced relation to the ground or other support surface
by a U-shaped support member 154 the upper leg ends of which are
bent over and telescoped into the rolled slide board side
rails.
The exposed ends of support channels 131 are preferably fitted with
triangularly shaped, plastic, protective cups 159 the walls 161 of
which are through drilled at 162 to align with passages 136 of
support channels 131 adapting the caps to be fixed in place with
walls 161 clamped between the channel webs and the opposing frame
runs to which they are bolted. Similar protection is provided for
the free ends of crossing tubular runs by cylindrical plastic cup
members 163 (FIG. 1).
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *