Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
  • A63G31/00—Amusement arrangements

Definitions

• This invention relates to playground structures and equipment, and it marks an entirely novel approach to the construction of such equipment.
• playgrounds consist of a number of individual apparatuses, e.g. swings, slides, climbing frames, etc. located within a common area, sometimes enclosed by conventional fencing, but separated from each other within that area. It is known also for different forms of play apparatus to be combined into a single unit, such as one structure incorporating a climbing frame and slide, but such units are still arranged individually within the play area.
• the present invention makes a significant departure from conventional practices in playground design and resides broadly in a play structure assembled from prefabricated posts and link units so as to define a fence-like arrangement, at least some of the link units incorporating or being formed as items of play equipment.
• a structure in accordance with the in- vention enables a variety of different play items to be assembled together in a common fence-like arrangement ⁇ which in a preferred construction serves also to enclose a play area, thereby forming a complete and self-contained play centre.
• the structure of the invention may be installed outdoors, but will also be suitable for indoor installations, such as in large stores or the like where there is a need for essentially enclosed play areas for small children.
• the link units are for the most part formed as prefabricated panels having ends adapted for engagement in sockets provided in the posts.
• the posts may comprise extrusions, in which case the sockets can be defined by channels extending along the extrusions.
• the posts may comprise tubes and the sockets defined by holes in the tubes.
• the panels comprise rectangular frames having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members , the horizontal members projecting beyond the vertical members at each end of the frame to provide protruding spigots for engagement in the post sockets.
• the protrusions can be fixed in the sockets by fixing means comprising bushes.
• a currently preferred form of bush has a snap t with both the post and the panel protrusion, whereby assembly of a link panel with a post is easily completed by pushing the protrusions into the bushes previously fitted into the post sockets.
• Also provided according to the invention is a combination of a pair of posts and a link unit for use in erecting a play structure as described above, the posts having socket means, and the link unit having mounting means at the ends thereof engageable in the socket means, securing means being provided for retaining said mounting means in said socket means and said link unit incorporating or being designed as an item of play equipment .
• connection assembly for securing a link unit to a post in a play structure as described in the foregoing, the connection comprising a hole formed in the post, an insert element provided on the link unit and positionable in the hole with a clearance therebetween, and bush means located in said clearance around the insert element, the bush means having means for engaging the post and the insert element to retain the insert element securely against detachment from the post .
• the bush means is preferably of unitary con ⁇ struction and adapted for snap fit in the post hole.
• the bush means may also be adapted for snap-fit with the insert element.
• the play structure of the invention may incor- porate a wide variety of different items of play equipment provided by the link units interconnecting the posts, and these can be arranged relative to one another along the fence-like structure as desired at the time of assembling the structure from the prefabricated units . It is not necessary for all or even the majority of link units to incorporate play items.
• the remaining link units can be plain fencing units and can comprise panels or railings. In a complete structure one or more link units may be omitted or formed as openable hinged gates to allow access into and out of the play enclosure sur ⁇ rounded by the structure.
• a presently preferred play structure comprises a series of posts each anchored firmly to the floor, the posts being spaced apart along the perimeter of a play area, and link units mounted between and interconnecting adjacent posts to form with the posts a fence-like assembly for enclosing the play area, at least some link units being constructed as or including items of play equipment whereby the structure serves both as a perimeter fence for the play
• fixing elements such as bolts
• the collar may also make a significant contribution to the aesthetic qualities of the play equipment»
• the invention provides annular cover for surrounding a post
• the two parts are of the same form and each includes an inner semi-cylindrical wall, an outer wall spaced from the inner wall and connected thereto by spaced reinforcing webs, an end wall interconnecting the inner and outer walls and including a
• Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a
• Figure 2 is an elevation showing a structural play fence embodying the invention
• Figures 3 to 12 are views illustrating different forms of link unit which can be mounted between pairs of adjacent posts of the structure;
• Figure 13 is an elevation showing a fence panel mounted between a pair of posts
• Figure 14 is a vertical cross-section through a post having a surface mounting
• Figure 15 shows in cross-section the lower end of a post having a ground embedded mounting
• Figure 16 is a half sectioned top plan view of a preferred snap-connection bush
• Figure 17 is a half section side view of the bush shown in Figure 16.
• Figures 18 and 19 are front and rear views of the bush of Figures 16 and 17;
• Figure ' 20 is a section through a blanking plug for use with the bush of Figures 16 and 19;
• Figures 21 and 22 are vertical and horizontal sectional views ,• respectively illustrating the bush of Figures 16 to 19 fitted to a post and link unit;
• Figure 23 is a top view of one half of a post base collar;
• Figure 24 is an underneath view of the half collar;
• Figure 25 is a front elevation of the half collar
• Figure 26 is a side view of the half collar; and Figure 27 is a section taken along the line A-A in Figure 26.
• the play structure shown in Figure 1 defines an enclosed play area surrounded by perimeter fencing assembled from posts 1 and prefabricated link units 2. Many of the units are shown to consist of plain fence panels but others consist of activity play items. As shown the link units are curved although this is not essential and straight units can be used instead of in conjunction with curved ones. The shape of the fenced area is infinitely variable and is determined by the positioning of the posts 1 during installation of the structure. Of course, additional play apparatus can be provided within the enclosed area if desired, and can conveniently be constructed using similar posts and link units.
• a fence incorporating several different play units is shown, each unit being mounted between two adjacent posts 1 which are anchored securely to the ground.
• the play units are: a swing 4, a panel 5 carrying a picture of a lion or the like and including a hole for a child to insert his or her face, a play house 6 (shown in more detail in Figure 9), a polished metal mirror 7 and a slide 8.
• the swing 4 has a seat carried by chains or ropes attached to mounting elements which are inserted into sockets of the posts 1 in similar manner to the fence panel connections as described below.
• Figure 3 shows on a larger scale the picture play panel 5 of Figure 2.
• This along with other play and fencing panels, preferably comprises a basic rectangular frame having upper and lower horizontal members 16, 17 and vertical members 18, 19.
• the frame members may be metal tubes welded together.
• the horizontal members 16, 17 project beyond the vertical members to define mounting spigots or protrusions 20 engageable with the posts in a manner to be explained below.
• the basic fence frame is shown mounted between two posts 1 in Figures 13.
• Figures 4A and 4B illustrate in elevation and horizontal cross-section a corrugated play panel 22 which can produce different visual effects or images according to the direction in which it is viewed.
• the panel 23 shown in elevation and vertical cross-section in Figures 5A and 5B, respectively is also adapted to create visual effects in that it is a polished metal wavy mirror.
• Figure 6 shows a link panel designed as an abacus, the basic frame being equipped with additional horizontal members 24, 25 and each horizontal member carrying a set of sliding spheres 26.
• a bench seat link panel 27 is shown in front elevation and vertical cross-section Figures 7A and 7B, the vertical frame members 18, 19 being shaped to provide a horizontal support for the sea slats 28.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of an entrance to the fenced play enclosure with a guard barrier 30 formed by a fence panel 2 mounted between two posts 1.
• Two halves of a picture are applied to an end fence panel an barrier panel so that by viewing from the appropriate direction the two picture halves can be brought together, to complete the picture.
• the play house link unit 6 shown in Figure 2 is shown in greater detail in front elevation and vertical section in Figures 9A and 9B, respectively. It has a front wall 31 with a window opening 32 and a sloping roof 33.
• Figure 10 shows a climbing net 34 stretched over the basic fence frame to form another play item.
• the frame is shown to support a set of different shaped elements 35, e.g. of metal for producing noise when struck.
• Figure 12 shows the basic frame carrying a padded panel 36 against which children can run without risk of injury.
• play units as described in the foregoing can be combined together and with plain fence units in an essentially continuous fence-like structure, and in a wide variety of different final constructions. Of course many other forms of play units are possible in addition to those described by way of example herein.
• each of the link units of Figures 3 to 2 can comprise the same form of basic frame adapted to correct with the two posts between which the panel is located.
• Figure 13 shows a basic fence frame mounted between two posts.
• the frame can be left, e.g. with additional vertical or horizontal bars to constitute a railing, or can be closed in by attaching for example a plain fence panel to provide a solid fence appearance, or a play panel such as those described above.
• Corner plates 10 can be welded to the basic frame for'mounting the panels.
• Each post 1 can be of the form shown in Figure 14 and comprise an upright metal tube 40 fitted at its lower end with a flange plate 41 provided with holes for bolts 42 which anchor the post to the ground.
• a collar 43 is fitted around the base of the tube 40 to enclose the mounting flange and bolts.
• the collar preferably takes the form described in more detail later with reference to Figures 23-27.
• the upper end of the tube 40 is closed off by a moulded cap 44 having a force fit in the tube end.
• the post is provided with upper and lower mounting sockets for the connection of the link units.
• Each socket consists of a circular hole drilled or punched in the tube and fitted with a plastics bush 45 into which the mounting spigots 20 of the link units are inserted to be fixed securely to the post.
• the post is provided with four pairs of sockets, the sockets of each pair being spaced apart longitudinally of the tube 40, and the pairs being arranged around the tube at 90° intervals. It is not necessary for all the sockets to be used and those not required in a given play structure can be blanked off.
• FIG. 15 shows an alternative method of mounting the post, it being secured by bolts 42 to a foundation membe
• taller posts e.g. of double height can be included and may be required for some play items, especially if raised decking of flooring is to be included, as may be seen in Figure 1.
• These posts of increased height can be provided with additional sets of sockets in the upwardly extended sections of the posts enabling upper link panels also to be connected between the posts.
• a bush connection is used for fixing the frame protrusions 20 in the post sockets as generally shown in Figures 14.
• the bush 45 is moulded from resilient plastics, e.g. nylon, and has a flange shaped to lie against the outer surface of the post tube 40, and a sleeve portion with an outer surface which tapers slightly towards its free end to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into the post and which includes means adjacent the flange for receiving the wall of the tube 40 so that the bush engages with a snap fit around the periphery of the hole.
• the bush and the protrusion 20 which fits into it may be provided with holes which are brought into register and receive a locking pin is inserted through the holes to secure the protrusion 20 firmly to the post, the pins being introduced down through the post tube before the top cap 44 is fitted.
• the bush can have an inclined hole extending through the flange for receiving a fixing screw which can tap into a hole drilled in the frame protrusion 20 inserted into the bush.
• the bush is pushed into the hole of the tube 40 after the protrusion 20 has been inserted into the socket.
• the bush can be located on the protrusion before the end abutment is formed, or it can be split or divided to allow it to be located around the protrusion.
• bush 45 is formed with an integral inwardly projecting locking stud which engages in a hole provided in the frame protrusion.
• the bush is split to enable it to be located on the protrusion 20 and is pushed into the hole of the tube 40 along with the protrusion.
• connection bush has a flange 46 and sleeve 47.
• the inner end of the sleeve is closed by an integral end wall 56 formed with stiffening fins 57 and parallel grooves 58 which define resilient hinges for sleeve portions 59 forming locking tongues and separated from the remaining sleeve parts and end wall by slots 60.
• the outer surfaces of the tongues 59 taper rearwardly and the free ends of the tongues define with the flange
• Figures 16 and 22 has the advantage of a simple push-fit snap connection with both the post and the frame protrusion.
• An alternative form of post (not illustrated) comprises a metal extrusion defining four channels with re-entrant openings and which constitute sockets for mounting link units interconnecting the posts.
• Covers can be used to close off those channels not being used for mounting linking units the exposed channel portions above and below of the mounting blocks.
• the extrusion is fixed to the ground, the mounting block and covers are slid downwardly into position from the to of the extrusion, the bolts being inserted to fix the blocks at the required locations, and a top cap is fitte to the top of the extrusion.
• a preferred form of collar 43 for surrounding the base of a post to conceal the anchorage bolts, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 will now be described with reference to Figs. 23 to 27 which show a half collar.
• the half collar is moulded in one piece from suitable plastics material, such as polypropylene, and has a semi-cylindrical inner wall 81 , and a outer wall 82 having the shape of a semi-frustum on a semi-cylindrical base.
• the inner and outer walls converge towards their upper edges and are connected at these edges to define an upper rim.
• the inner and outer walls are interconnected by five uniformly spaced radial webs 83.
• the half ring is closed by an end wall which defines a projection 84 having lips 85 with chamfered faces, extending along the inner and outer edges of the projection.
• the lips are interrupted towards the top of the projection to avoid weakening the projection in this region.
• the projection is shaped to have parallel opposed edges over a substantial part of its height, which is provided by a triangular relief in the outer side edge of the projection.
• the half collar forms a recess 88 shaped to receive the projection 84, a triangular lug 89 of complementary shape to the relief of the projection extending inwardly from the outer wall 82, and a lip 90 with a chamfered face extending around the sides of the recess.
• a shallow groove 91 is also formed immediately behind the lip 90.
• An anchorage 92 for engagement in a location hole provided in the post to which the collar is to be fitted protrudes inwardly from the inner wall 81.
• two half collars as described are located on opposite sides of a post and are pressed together so that their studs 92 enter respective location holes in the post, and the projection 84 of each half collar engages with a snap action into the recess 88 of the other half collar.
• the chamfers on the lips 85, 90 facilitate this engagement and upon completion of assembly the lips 85, 90 lock securely behind each other to prevent separation of the half collars.
• the projections and recesses have parallel side edges they cannot be separated by a small relative axial displacement between the two connected half collars.
• the lug 89 can help to prevent detachment of the collar by means of a sharp instrument such as the blade of a screw driver forced into the joint between tw half collars.
• the collar provides a secure and permanent cover for enclosing mounting elements at the base of a post and can ensure a smooth surface transition between the post and a horizontal supporting surface.
• the invention is based on a novel concept for the design and construction of play structures in which the play equipment is integrated int a fence structure delineating a play area. It is extremely versatile allowing a great number of different structures to be assembled form a limited range of basic units. Nevertheless, the assembly procedure is not complicated and does not command any special skills.
• the structures specifically described herein are aimed at use by young children, e.g. from the ages of about 3 to 10 years, and for such use a post height of approximately 0.8 to 1.0 metres is preferred, with taller posts as used for some items of equipment being 1.4 and 1.6 metres, these heights being measured from ground level.
• post fence panels with a height of about 0.6 metres and length of 0.9 to 1.0 are suitable.
• a link unit could be designed to form part of a larger climbing frame, or to define access steps leading to a slide or other piece of play equipment assembled in juxtaposition to the fence structure.
• posts shorter than those illustrated in the drawings and having e.g. single sockets could be used in some cases and would be suitable such as for supporting the lower of a slide.
• posts taller than those illustrated and having additional sets of sockets in their upper region could be provided and used for mounting roof elements or panels, e.g. with one such panel being supported at its four corners by respective posts, such as for providing a roof over a raised floor or deck leading to a slide.

Landscapes

• Fencing (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=26292142

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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• 1988
  • 1988-04-15 EP EP88903312A patent/EP0349585B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1988-04-15 WO PCT/GB1988/002298 patent/WO1988007885A1/en unknown
  • 1988-04-15 DE DE8888903312T patent/DE3868633D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1988-04-15 AU AU16201/88A patent/AU621295B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1988-04-15 JP JP50308088A patent/JPH03501334A/ja active Pending
• 1992
  • 1992-10-22 HK HK81392A patent/HK81392A/xx unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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