AU2015101705A4 - Climber Component of a Children's Play Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides a children's play apparatus and a climber component for a children's play apparatus configured for movement between an upper level of the play apparatus and a lower level, the climber component including: a lower climbing member including a lower climbing member platform; an upper climbing member including an upper climbing member platform, wherein the lower and upper climbing members are configured to be connected to lower and upper levels of a play apparatus such that the upper climbing member and the lower climbing member are upon each other; the upper climbing member including an aperture through the upper climbing member platform that is vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform for providing access through the upper climbing member platform from the lower climbing member platform. <filename> 10 35b 32 35c 35a xOACC OAA 31a COCAAD CONSKN //31a 51] :62 6 1A Q CA =:) 51 VIC?~ig 1QACAC

Description

1 Climber Component of a Children's Play Apparatus Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of children's playground equipment and installations. Background of Invention [0002] Many different types of playground equipment exist that allow for sliding and climbing and other activities. Existing playground equipment include components such as support members for supporting components such as flat platforms and wall panels that are elevated above ground level. Steps or ladders are often used to allow children to climb up to such elevated platforms and to climb down. Such steps typically include a tread and riser arrangement as for ordinary steps used in building structures and the like. Other means of climbing from the ground to an elevated level or from one elevated level to a higher elevated level can include simply providing a ladder or like component extending between the levels in question. [0003] Regulation and standards exist for the design and safety of children's playground equipment and installations. Adhering to these requirements presents a challenge in terms of designing playground equipment with desired functionality that fit within constrained spaces. One such standard applicable in Australia is that the maximum distance from one elevated platform to a surface below onto which a child could fall from the elevated platform is 600mm. Another standard is that a 500mm diameter sphere, simulating the body of an adult, must be able to move through an entire playground installation. [0004] Accordingly, a need exists for a means for climbing between different levels of a playground installation that satisfies the abovementioned requirements and that is practical to use, relatively easy to install, works with other components of the playground apparatus and occupies a minimum of space within the playground apparatus so that as many components as possible can be packed into the playground apparatus. <filename> 2 Summary of Invention [0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a climber component for a children's play apparatus configured for movement between an upper level of the play apparatus and a lower level, the climber component including: a lower climbing member including a lower climbing member platform; an upper climbing member including an upper climbing member platform, wherein the lower and upper climbing members are configured to be connected to lower and upper levels of a play apparatus such that the upper climbing member and the lower climbing member are upon each other the upper climbing member including an aperture through the upper climbing member platform that is vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform for providing access through the upper climbing member platform from the lower climbing member platform. [0006] Preferably, the lower climbing member platform includes a stepped surface to provide a vertically spaced apart and adjoining pair of platform surface portions. [0007] Preferably, the upper climbing member platform includes two diagonally opposite halves wherein one half is substantially completely occupied by an upper platform surface and the other half is substantially completely occupied by the aperture. [0008] In another aspect, the invention provides a play apparatus comprising the climber component of any one of the preceding claims, the play apparatus including the lower and upper climbing members coupled to support members with the upper climbing member above the lower climbing member and with the aperture of the upper climbing member vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform for providing access through the upper platform from the lower climbing member platform. [0009] Preferably, another like lower climbing member is located above the upper climbing member with the lower platform of the another like lower climbing member vertically aligned with the aperture of the upper climbing member and optionally with a <filename> 3 grip member extending vertically between the upper climbing member and the above another like lower climbing member. Brief Description of Drawings [0010] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention described below and illustrated in the attached Figures, wherein: [0011] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a climber component of a children's play apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0012] Figure 2 illustrates a lower climbing member including a lower platform comprising part of the climber component of Figure 1; [0013] Figure 3 illustrates an upper climbing member comprising a part of the climber component of Figure 1; [0014] Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate top and side views of the lower climbing member of Figure 2; [0015] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate top and side views of the upper climbing member of Figure 3; [0016] Figure 10 illustrates a play apparatus including a plurality of the climber components of Figure 1 incorporated therein. Detailed Description [0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a climber component 10 for a children's play apparatus such as the play apparatus 100 illustrated in Figure 10. The climber component 10 is configured for movement between an upper level of the play apparatus 100 and a lower level as will become apparent from the foregoing description. The climber component 10 includes a lower climbing member 30 including a lower climbing member platform 35. The upper climbing member 50 includes an upper climbing member platform 55 wherein the lower climbing member 30 and the upper climbing member 50 are configured to be connected to lower and upper levels of the playground apparatus 100 such that the lower climbing member <filename> 4 are upon each other. The upper climbing member 50 includes an aperture 60 through the upper climbing member platform 55 that is vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform 35 for providing access through the upper climbing member platform form the lower climbing member platform 35. [0018] As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the climber component 10 of the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a means for a child to climb between upper and lower levels of the children's play apparatus 100. Furthermore, the climber component 10 is advantageous in that the aperture 60 through the upper climbing member 50 enables a child to pass through the upper climbing member 50 from an upper level of the play apparatus 100 to a lower level and vice versa. Furthermore, the provision of the lower climbing member 30 and the lower climbing member platform 35 thereof in vertical alignment with the aperture 60 and preferably below the aperture 60 provides a platform upon which a child can stand to climb up through the aperture 60 and also ameliorates the distance that a child may fall through the aperture 60. The distance between an upper level and a level below of the play apparatus 100 may be, for example, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm or thereabouts. The climber component 10 of the present invention provides that the maximum distance between the aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50 and the lower climbing member platform 35 of the lower climbing member 30 is less than a predetermined threshold which may be established by a relevant regulation or standard, such as less than 600mm. Furthermore, the dimension of the aperture 60 through the upper climbing member platform 55 of the upper climbing member 50 is sufficient to meet standards relating to simulating an adult passing therethrough (i.e. enabling a sphere of 500mm diameter to pass through the aperture 60). Also, the location of the lower climbing member 30 and the lower climbing member platform 35 do not prevent passage of an adult (i.e. a 500mm sphere simulating an adult) through the aperture 60. [0019] As can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 7, the lower climbing member 30 includes the lower climbing member platform 35 formed with a stepped surface 36 which, when installed, faces upwards. Accordingly, the stepped surface is comprised of a vertically spaced apart pair of platform surface portions 32, 37. The first one of the surface portions 32 is a lower surface portion and the second one of the surface portions 37 is a higher surface portion and are separated from each other by a step <filename> 5 comprising a riser 34. The lower climbing member platform 35 has a generally triangular shape in plan view as illustrated in Figure 4. [0020] Vertically extending legs 31 depend downwardly from three corners 35a, 35b, 35c of the lower climbing member platform 30. The vertical height of one of the legs 31 depending downwardly from one of the corners 35a comprising the lower one of the pair of platform surface portions 32 is shorter than the other legs 31 depending downwardly from the other corners 35b, 35c associated with the upper platform surface portion 37. The height of the respective legs 31 can be determined based on the height of each module 110 of the play apparatus 100 illustrated in Figure 10 and also taking into account regulations and standards associated with such play apparatus to ensure that the fall from the vertically spaced apart pair of platform surface portions 32, 37 of the lower climbing member platform 30 is less than a maximum threshold (e.g. 600mm). The height of the respective legs 31can be determined based on the requirement to enable an adult or a 500mm sphere simulating an adult to pass through the aperture 60 unimpeded by the lower climbing member platform 35. [0021] As illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 8 and 9, the upper climbing member platform 50 includes an upper surface 55 that occupies substantially one diagonally opposite half of the overall dimension of the upper climbing member platform 50. The aperture 60 occupies substantially entirely the other diagonally opposite half thereof. The occupation of approximately a substantially entire diagonally opposite half of the upper climbing platform 50 by the aperture 60 and the occupation of substantially the other diagonally opposite half thereof by the upper surface 55 thereof can be seen in Figures 3 and 8 in particular. The perimeter shape of the upper climbing member 50 is substantially square in shape to fit within substantially cube shaped modules 110 of the play apparatus 100 illustrated in Figure 10. Furthermore, connection means 51 are provided at four corners thereof. The aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50 is comprised of three zones, a large central zone 61 and two smaller zones 62, 63 on opposite sides of the larger central zone 61. Accordingly, the aperture 60 has the form, in plan view, of three circular zones comprising the larger and smaller zones 60, 62, 63 fused together to form the overall aperture 60. <filename> 6 [0022] As illustrated in Figure 10, the climber component 10 of the present invention is adapted for connection in the play apparatus 100. The play apparatus 100 is comprised of a modular system comprised of elongated support members 112 and joint assemblies 115. The joint assemblies 115 are adapted to form a nexus at which a plurality of the elongated support members 112 are connected to form a plurality of the cube shaped modules 110 of the play apparatus 100. The joint assemblies 115 and/or the elongated members 112 are adapted to be coupled to the connection means 51 at the four corners of the upper climbing member 50 as can be seen in Figure 10. Thus, the upper climbing member 10 forms a platform component of a respective level of the play apparatus 100 albeit with the aperture 60 passing therethrough. The lower climbing member 30 is also configured to be coupled to the play apparatus 100 as illustrated in Figure 10. Each of the legs 31 includes a respective connection means that are configured to be connected to the joint assemblies 115 and/or the elongated members 112 to which three of the connection means 51 of the upper climbing member 50 are connected to. In particular, the connection means 31a of the legs 31 of the lower climbing member 30 are connected immediately adjacent to the connection means 51 at three corners of the upper climbing member 50 immediately adjacent to the aperture 60. As such, the stepped surface 35 of lower climbing member 30 is vertically aligned with the aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50. The upper climbing member 50 includes channels 52 at three corners in which the legs 31 of the lower climbing member 30 sit. [0023] As illustrated in Figure 10, a lower climbing member 30 is coupled to the apparatus 100 at the ground level 4. One of the upper climbing members 50 is connected immediately and vertically above the first lower climbing member 30 which in turn includes another one of the lower climbing members 30 coupled immediately and vertically above the first one of the upper climbing members 50. Immediately above the second one of the lower climbing members 30 is a second one of the upper climbing members 50 and so on. Accordingly, the apparatus 100 includes two complete climber components 10 of the present invention with an additional lower climbing member 30 located above the first two climber components 10. In fact, any combination of the lower climbing members 30 and upper climbing members 50 of the climber component 10 of the present invention can be installed in the apparatus 100. Accordingly, in the play apparatus 100 illustrated in Figure 10, the lower platform <filename> 7 surface portion 35, which consists of the first and second surface portion 32, 37 and the riser 34 therebetween, is located vertically aligned below the aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50 located immediately and vertically above the lower climbing member 30. Thus, in the apparatus 100 of Figure 10, if the height one of the support members 112 is 1000mm meaning that the distance between a lower level and the next higher level of the apparatus 100 is approximately 1000mm then the distance from the aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50 would be approximately 1000mm to a planar platform of a level below (which would exceed applicable standards) were it not for the provision of the lower climbing member 30. With the provision of the lower climbing member 30 below the upper climbing member 50, the maximum distance between the aperture 60 and the lower climbing member platform surface 35 is less then 600mm (i.e. about 580mm which is less than the Australian standard of 600mm). The distance from the aperture 60 and the higher one of the surface portions 37 is a shorter distance again. [0024] The provision of the lower and higher surface portions 32, 37 and the riser 34 therebetween means that a smaller child can climb from a level below such as the platform portion 55 of the upper climbing member 50 onto the lower one of the surface portions 32. The child can then climb from the lower one of the surface portions 32 to the upper one of the surface portions 37 and then on through the aperture 60 of the upper climbing member 50 located above. The dimensions of the aperture 60, and the portions 61, 62, 63 thereof and in particular portion 61 thereof and the height of the platform surface portion 37 of the lower climbing member 30 above is such that an adult may pass through the aperture 60 and between the platform surface 55 of the upper climbing member 50 and the upper platform surface portion 37 of the lower climbing member 30 located above (i.e. will allow a 500mm sphere simulating an adult as set out under the Australian standard). [0025] As illustrated in Figure 10, in the play apparatus 100, a plurality of the climber components 10 of the present invention can be stacked one upon each other to enable children to climb up to various levels throughout the play apparatus and to climb down to lower levels of the play apparatus 100. [0026] As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 5 to 7, the climber component 10 can further include a vertically extending grip member 70 which extends and is connected <filename> 8 between the upper surface portion 55 of the upper climbing member 50 and to a lower surface of the upper platform portion 35 of the lower climbing member 30. The gripping member 70 is configured to be gripped by a child climbing through the aperture 60. [0027] The present invention will be susceptible to various modifications, variations, mechanical equivalents without departing from the spirit ambit of the present invention. <filename>

Claims (5)

1. A climber component for a children's play apparatus configured for movement between an upper level of the play apparatus and a lower level, the climber component including: a lower climbing member including a lower climbing member platform; an upper climbing member including an upper climbing member platform, wherein the lower and upper climbing members are configured to be connected to lower and upper levels of a play apparatus such that the upper climbing member and the lower climbing member are upon each other; the upper climbing member including an aperture through the upper climbing member platform that is vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform for providing access through the upper climbing member platform from the lower climbing member platform.

2. The climber component of claim 1, wherein the lower climbing member platform includes a stepped surface to provide a vertically spaced apart and adjoining pair of platform surface portions.

3. The climber component of claim 1, wherein the upper climbing member platform includes two diagonally opposite halves wherein one half is substantially completely occupied by an upper platform surface and the other half is substantially completely occupied by the aperture.

4. A play apparatus comprising the climber component of any one of the preceding claims, the play apparatus including the lower and upper climbing members coupled to support members with the upper climbing member above the lower climbing member and with the aperture of the upper climbing member vertically aligned with the lower climbing member platform for providing access through the upper platform from the lower climbing member platform.

5. The play apparatus of claim 4, wherein another like lower climbing member is located above the upper climbing member with the lower platform of the <filename> 10 another like lower climbing member vertically aligned with the aperture of the upper climbing member and optionally with a grip member extending vertically between the upper climbing member and the above another like lower climbing member. <filename>