NZ748719B2 - Modular play set - Google Patents
Modular play set Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ748719B2 NZ748719B2 NZ748719A NZ74871917A NZ748719B2 NZ 748719 B2 NZ748719 B2 NZ 748719B2 NZ 748719 A NZ748719 A NZ 748719A NZ 74871917 A NZ74871917 A NZ 74871917A NZ 748719 B2 NZ748719 B2 NZ 748719B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- support
- play set
- modular
- modular play
- set according
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 230000009194 climbing Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000386 athletic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000037396 body weight Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003141 lower extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B17/00—Exercising apparatus combining several parts such as ladders, rods, beams, slides
- A63B17/04—Exercising apparatus combining several parts such as ladders, rods, beams, slides separable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B9/00—Climbing poles, frames, or stages
- A63B2009/006—Playground structures
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
- A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
- A63B2071/024—Supports, e.g. poles with screws or pins in the earth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B5/00—Apparatus for jumping
- A63B5/11—Trampolines
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B9/00—Climbing poles, frames, or stages
-
- 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
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
- A63G9/00—Swings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
- A63G9/00—Swings
- A63G9/12—Special fastenings of the suspensory point
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/02—Tents combined or specially associated with other devices
Abstract
modular play set including provision for mounting a range of play equipment such as swings, slides, climbing assemblies and such like. A modular play set including: one or more support beams for supporting a plurality of play equipment's there along; two or more support assemblies each supporting at least an end of the or each support beam above a support surface in a lateral attitude, the support assemblies each including one or more upright poles having a lower end for engagement with the support surface and an upper end remote from the lower end; a lateral support structure associated with each support assembly and engaging the upper end of the or each pole, the lateral support structure having a support beam connection for connecting to one end of one or more of the support beams and extending by a predetermined distance transverse to the or at least one of the support beams connected thereto, wherein the cover assembly is arranged on and/or sized to be fitted and/or fixed tightly to the lateral support structure, wherein the cover assembly comprises a support band wrapped around at least a part of the upper external perimeter of the modular play set, wherein the support band is an integral part of the cover assembly and encloses a space containing within it the support beam, and wherein the support band extends downward from the top of the modular play set a short distance akin to a skirt.
Description
A modular play set including provision for mounting a range of play equipment such as swings,
slides, climbing assemblies and such like. A modular play set including: one or more support
beams for supporting a plurality of play equipment's there along; two or more support assemblies
each supporting at least an end of the or each support beam above a support surface in a lateral
attitude, the support assemblies each including one or more upright poles having a lower end
for engagement with the support surface and an upper end remote from the lower end; a lateral
support structure associated with each support assembly and engaging the upper end of the or
each pole, the lateral support structure having a support beam connection for connecting to one
end of one or more of the support beams and extending by a predetermined distance transverse
to the or at least one of the support beams connected thereto, wherein the cover assembly
is arranged on and/or sized to be fitted and/or fixed tightly to the lateral support structure,
wherein the cover assembly comprises a support band wrapped around at least a part of the
upper external perimeter of the modular play set, wherein the support band is an integral part of
the cover assembly and encloses a space containing within it the support beam, and wherein the
support band extends downward from the top of the modular play set a short distance akin to a
skirt.
NZ 748719 B2
“MODULAR PLAY SET”
FIELD OF INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a modular play set. The invention
has particular application to a modular play set including
provision for mounting a range of play equipment such as
swings, slides, climbing assemblies and such like and for
illustrative purposes, reference will be made to such
application. The modular play set according to the invention
may have application for outdoor use, and also for indoor use,
such as in gymnasiums or the like. Also described is a swing
for use in a modular play set.
BACKGROUND ART
Play sets for children have been provided, commonly being
confined to a swing set, but sometimes having other play
equipment attachable, such as slides, ladders or the like for
climbing, slide poles and the like. Swing sets for back yard
use are normally very cheaply produced and have a fixed
arrangement, usually having a support beam supported by each
end at or near the apex of an A-fame. More expensive play
equipment is provided in public parks or commercial play areas,
such equipment often being heavy and quite large and not
necessarily efficient in use.
Swings are normally mounted to and suspended from a support
bar of a frame, and are normally arranged to provide a
predominantly forward and back swinging motion, sometimes
being limited to such motion, but even when not so limited,
having a design which is clearly intended that swing be set in
motion about a fixed axis substantially aligned with the frame
from which the swing is suspended. Sometimes, when using a
swing comprising a seat connected between the lower ends of
two suspended chains or cables, a user may twist the seat
around and around about an axis intermediate the chains or
cables, but the swing is not necessarily designed for such use
and such use is limited to twisting and untwisting the chains
or cables and cannot be readily combined with a swinging
motion.
The present invention aims to provide a modular play set
and/or a swing which alleviates one or more of the above
disadvantages or to provide an alternative to existing
playsets or swings. Other aims and advantages of the present
invention may become apparent from the following description.
With the foregoing aims in view, this invention in one
aspect resides broadly in a modular play set including:
one or more support beams for supporting a plurality of
play equipments therealong;
two or more support assemblies each supporting at least
an end of the or each support beam above a support surface in
a lateral attitude,
the support assemblies each including one or more upright
poles having a lower end for engagement with the support
surface and an upper end remote from the lower end;
a lateral support structure associated with each support
assembly and engaging the upper end of the or each pole, the
lateral support structure having a support beam connection for
connecting to one end of one or more of the support beams and
extending by a predetermined distance transverse to the or at
least one of the support beams connected thereto,
a cover assembly arranged and/or sized to be fitted and/or
fixed tightly to the lateral support structure,
wherein the lateral support structure is adapted to
provide support for a cover assembly so that, in use, the cover
assembly provides cover to the plurality of play equipments
wherein the cover assembly comprises a support band wrapped
around at least a part of the upper external perimeter of the
modular play set, wherein the support band is an integral part
of the cover assembly and encloses a space containing within
it the support beam, and wherein the support band extends
downward from the top of the modular play set a short distance
akin to a skirt. Suitably, the support beam includes attachment
means for attaching swings or other play equipment. The swings
may be selected from standard swings, boat swings, bucket
swings, trapeze, tyre swings, glide swings, swivel swings,
slings and such like. Other equipments may include rope
ladders, scramble nets, knotted ropes, climbing poles or
ropes, roman rings, slides, platforms and such like. A cross
beam may be provided between the upright poles of the support
assemblies that have two or more upright poles.
Preferably, the support assemblies include means for
connecting other play equipment which is not supported by the
support beam, such as slides or slippery dips, nets, platforms
and such like. In a preferred form, there is provided a
flexible support assembly connectible to at least one of the
support assemblies remote from the support beam. In such form,
the flexible support assembly includes a sheet of flexible,
substantially inextensible material such as trampoline mat
material, held taut between two of the upright poles more
preferably extending to at least two ground anchors remote
from the lower ends of the support poles.
Preferably, the predetermined distance of the lateral
support structure provides a wide support for a cover assembly
to be mounted on or fastened to thereto. The cover assembly is
preferably in the form of a tent or the like as a roof structure
or a roof with a tent wall assembly fastenable thereto.
Preferably, a tent roof support band is provided wrapped around
the external perimeter of two or more lateral support
structures, thereby providing support for the peripheral edges
of the tent roof between the support assemblies. The tent roof
band is preferably formed from substantially inextensible
material.
The predetermined distance is preferably selected to
provide cover for persons using the equipment, but not
necessarily so wide as to cover the swings when they are swung
out from their rest position. However, where the tent wall
assemblies are provided, they may be arranged such that they
extend downwards from the periphery of the roof when the
modular play set is not being used, but swung up to a
horizontal or near-horizontal attitude when the modular play
set is in use, thereby providing weather protection to users
even when swinging on the swings.
The cover assembly is arranged and/or sized to be fitted
and/or fixed tightly to the lateral support structure, thereby
in some embodiments providing additional stiffness to the
assembled frame against relative movement of the parts of the
frame assembly.
Also described is a swing suspended from a frame, including:
a pivot assembly mounted to the frame for pivoting about a
substantially horizontal fixed axis;
a swivel assembly operatively associated with the pivot
assembly for pivoting about a swivel axis substantially
orthogonal to the said fixed axis whereby said swivel assembly
may pivot about said fixed axis; and
a frame for supporting a user mounted to said swivel
assembly, said frame having
a platform spaced from said fixed axis a distance sufficient
for a user to stand on said platform, said platform being
penetrated by said swivel axis and
a hanger portion operatively interposed between said
platform and said swivel assembly and spaced from said swivel
axis.
Preferably, the frame includes one or more handles mounted
to the hanger portion at a position suitable for a user to
grip when standing on the platform. Preferably, the platform
is an elongate platform sized for the user to stand with a
foot at or near each end. Preferably, the hanger portion is
constituted by a single frame member extending from the swivel
assembly laterally of the swivel axis, thence alongside the
swivel axis, spaced therefrom as hereinbefore described, then
towards and through the swivel axis for supporting the
platform.
Preferably, the swing is suspended from a frame of a
modular play set such as, for example, the modular play set
according to the previous aspect of the present invention.
Suitably, the hanger portion is arranged so as to permit
the user to stand on the platform with the swivel axis passing
through the user’s body, but also to move their body to move
the centre of gravity with respect to the swivel axis to effect
a swinging motion about the fixed axis. Such movement may also
be performed to cause rotation of the user about the swivel
axis. With practice, a user may be able to cause swinging and
rotation, much akin to orbiting the swivel axis.
In a preferred form, the platform has a shape akin to that
of a skate board or small surfboard. The platform, being in
its preferred form elongate, has a platform axis in the
direction of elongation. When the swing is swinging with the
platform, the user may swivel the platform such that the
elongate axis of the platform is substantially aligned with
the direction of swinging about the fixed axis. However, the
user may swing with the elongate axis of the platform out of
alignment with the direction of swinging at any angle desired,
and with practice, as described above, effect a swinging motion
in combination with a rotational motion about the swivel axis.
Such use may also be with the rotation substantially
inconstant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that embodiments of this invention and other
embodiments may be more readily understood and put into
practical effect, reference will now be made to the following
drawings, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a modular play set according to
a preferred form;
Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig.
1 to which a support band has been added;
Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig.
2 to which additional modular elements have been attached;
Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig.
2 to which a tent assembly has been secured;
Fig. 5 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig. 2
to which a further modular element has been added and a tent
assembly has been secured;
Fig. 6 is pictorial view of an alternative preferred form of
modular play set with a cover assembly in a furled disposition;
Fig. 7 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig.
6 with the cover assembly deployed;
Fig. 8 is a pictorial view of the modular play set of Fig. 6
with the cover assembly closed;
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a support beam assembly
for eight modular play sets of Fig. 6 joined into an octagonal
arrangement;
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the support
beam assembly of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is an exploded view of part of the support beam
assembly of Fig. 9;
Figs 12 to 15 illustrate alternative swing arrangements for
the modular play sets of Figs 1 to 5;
Fig. 16 illustrates further play equipments for the modular
play sets of Figs 1 to 8;
Figs. 17 to 22 are illustrative of combinations of modular
play elements being selected for assembly of some modular
play sets;
Fig. 23 is a pictorial view of a frame for the modular play
Fig. 24 is a detail pictorial view showing the connection
detail between parts of the frame of Fig. 23;
Fig 25 is pictorial view showing a cross bar for the connection
detail of Fig. 24
Fig. 26 pictorial view of the frame of Fig. 23 showing a
sling and swivel swing connected thereto;
Fig. 27 is a front elevation of the frame of Fig. 26; Fig. 28
is a pictorial view of a swing;
Fig 29 is a pictorial view showing detail 2 of the swing
of Fig. 28;
Fig. 30 is a front elevation of the swing of Fig. 28; Fig. 31
is a front elevation showing detail 4 of the swing of Fig. 30;
Fig. 32 is a pictorial view showing detail 3 of the swing
of Fig. 28.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The modular play set 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5
includes a support beam 11 supported at each end by a support
assembly 12 having two support poles shown typically at 13.
The support beam has two play equipments 14 attached
intermediate its ends. The play equipments shown are a normal
swing having a seat supported by a chain and a glide swing
having a board suspended by two rods or chains from a support
bar which is attached to the support beam to extend
transversely thereto.
The support assembly includes a rectangular support frame
, the rectangular support frame being elongate in the
direction transverse to the support beam, the support poles
extending downward from two corners, for convenience referred
to as outer corners, and the support beam being attached to
the side of the rectangular support frame opposite, for
convenience referred to as the inner side. The support beam
may extend to the outer side of the rectangular support frame
to support heavier weights if required.
The support band 16 shown in Fig. 2 surrounds the two
support frames at each end of the play set, extending parallel
to the support beam between the ends of the support frames.
The support band thus also is of rectangular form and encloses
a space which is substantially rectangular in plan view, the
rectangular space containing within it the support beam and
the two rectangular support frames, and extending downward
from the top of the play set a short distance akin to a skirt.
The modular play set illustrated in Fig. 3 has a swivel
swing 14a instead of the glide swing, and has added to it a
corner support assembly 17 having a scramble net 18 and
triangular acrobatic grips 14b suspended from another support
beam extending from the side of the corner support assembly
adjacent the support beam to which the swings are attached. A
tent roof cover 19 is fastened to the support band to provide
covering and protection from the weather for the users and the
play equipments supported by the support beam.
The modular play set illustrated in Fig. 4 also has four
corner side wall panels shown typically at 20 around the
outside parts of the support poles, extending downward from
the top to the base. A netting wall 21 extends across the
opening of one end of the tent assembly as shown. The covering
or tent assembly is made up from separate covering elements
which can be joined to and detached from one another, the
covering elements being modularised to provide a covering for
different configurations of modular play set for which
covering is provided. Side panels may be selected from ones
with windows and ones without, the elements forming the side
walls having provision for being held against the outside of
the support band when rolled up from the bottom.
The modular feature of the play set is further illustrated
in Fig. 5 which shows the scramble net for the corner assembly
being enclosed by side walls 22 without the extra support beam
for the athletic triangles shown in Fig. 3. It will be seen
that the modular play set according to an embodiment of the
invention may be provided in different configurations and with
a covering which can be opened up for use and closed up for
storage when not in use.
The alternative modular play set 30 according to an
embodiment of the invention has a support beam assembly 31
extending between two alternative support assemblies 32, the
support beam assembly having two parallel support styles 33
connected in spaced disposition from one another by a plurality
of rungs shown typically at 34 in a ladder-like construction.
Shorter ladderlike constructions may be joined end-to-end by
two joiners 35 operatively associated with the ends or end
portions of the support styles.
The alternative support assemblies each have two support
poles as hereinbefore described, but also each include a cross
beam 37 and a side panel 38 parallel to and below the cross
beam, the cross beam and side panel being substantially evenly
spaced from one another and the top and bottom of the support
poles.
The support poles may include a join intermediate their ends
so that the play set can be packaged in a smaller sized carton
that would be the case for integral support poles. The support
poles are joined by an H-shaped joiner 39, the cross-bar of
the H providing rigidity to the side panels and the end bars
of the joiner providing for attachment of the side panel, such
as by a wrap-around interference fit.
The alternative modular play set has a cover assembly 40
having a roof panel portion 41 and two side panel portions 42,
being rolled up or furled in the illustration shown in Fig. 6
and deployed outwardly in the illustration shown in Fig. 7.
The side panel portions are each held in place by two struts
shown typically at 43 which extend upward from the alternative
support assemblies at about the level of the side panels to an
end edge of the respective side panel. The side panel portions
may be folded down to a closed disposition as in the
illustration shown in Fig. 8.
The support beam assemblies shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are
joined end-to-end to one another by a commensurate number of
corner joiners shown typically at 36. There are eight support
beam assemblies formed into an octagon or octagonal ring 44 as
shown in complete form in Fig. 9 and in part in more detail in
Fig. 10. The support beam assembly is shown in more detail in
Fig. 11 having the parallel support styles connected by the
rungs as hereinbefore described in respect of Fig. 6, but the
additional detail shows a connecting spigot or socket 45 at or
near the end of the support styles each for engagement with
the upper end of a support pole.
The swing arrangements illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 are
illustrated as attached to a standard support frame as
hereinbefore described. The swing arrangement 50 illustrated
in Fig. 12 is a standard swing 51 which may be swung back and
forth in the direction of arrow 52 with the user seated. The
swing arrangement 53 illustrated in Fig. 13 is a surfboard
swing 54 which may be swung back and forth in the direction of
arrow 55 with the user standing. The swing arrangement 56
illustrated in Fig. 14 is a swivel swing 57 which may be swung
back and forth in the direction of arrow 58 and swivelled
around and around in either direction as indicated by arrow
59. The swing arrangement 60 illustrated in Fig. 15 is a
standard swing 61 which may be swung back and forth in the
direction of arrow 62 and swivelled around and around in either
direction as indicated by arrow 63. The further play equipments
64 illustrated in Fig. 16 include a standard swing 65 suspended
from a support beam which in turn is supported above the ground
by two support poles 68. The two support poles for the standard
swing are supplemented by two other support poles 67 which can
be of the kind hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.
1 to 8, being spaced from the support poles for the swing by
the same spacing as that of the support poles for the support
frame assembly. A bouncing mat 66 is stretched between one of
the support poles and one of the other support poles, being
attached at an elevated position on the support poles, and
further stretched between to ground anchors 69, being attached
thereto at a lower position such that the bouncing mat or sail
is at an oblique angle.
A slide mat 70 is attached to the other two support poles
67 and 68 at an elevated position and sloping downward
therefrom to two further ground anchors. Each side edge of the
slide mat is pulled downwards by a Y-shaped stay 71, two arms
of the Y being attached to the respective side edge and the
tail of the Y being attached to a lateral stay 72. The lateral
stays are also provided between the support poles and ground
anchors of the bouncing sail. A climbing net 73 is stretched
between the support poles of the slide mat and a support strut
74 is provided between the support poles of the bouncing mat.
A user may bounce on the bounce mat, such as, but not limited
to, the direction indicated by arrow 75, and may slide down
the slide may in the direction of arrow 76.
The modular play sets 80a to 80d shown in Figs. 17 to 22
provide illustrative examples of various ways in which
different play elements may be provided. Taking Figs. 17 to 19
in order, a swing 81 and a parallel swing 82 are shown in Fig.
17 supported on the frame, the “main frame 83”, the main frame
itself being hidden from view by the roof or cover, and in
Fig. 18, a play area 84 and platform 85 are added, one of the
truncated A-frame ends 12 being substituted by a corner module
86, and then a slide 87 being added to extend at right angles
to the main frame. And then in Fig. 19, the slide is moved to
the side of the corner module extending from the main frame
and a roof module or “side frame 88” is added to the corner
module to extend at right angles to the main frame where the
slide had previously been, the side frame being supported at
its distal end by another truncated Aframe. A skate-board swing
or surfboard swing 89 is added supported from the side frame.
The surfboard swing substantially takes the form of a rope
swing which is suspended from the support beam of the side
frame, having two upper ropes 81b suspended from the main beam,
the upper ropes being joined at their lower ends to a single
rope 81c which depends downward. A plank 81d is connected to
the single rope substantially at its centre. A user sitting or
standing on the plank astride the single rope can swing
back and forwards about the axis of, or substantially parallel
to, that of the support beam, but also, from the lower ends of
the upper ropes, laterally thereto, and also with a swivelling
if desired.
The modular play set 80d illustrated in Figs. 20 to 22
shows more detail of the platforms 85 shown in Figs. 18 and
19, each one having an aperture 90 sized for a user to climb
through from below and each side of the corner module being
enclosed or partly enclosed by netting 91 or perforated sheet
92, there being two platforms as illustrated. In this respect,
one side 20 is completely enclosed by perforated sheet, two
opposed sides are completely enclosed by netting and the fourth
side opposite the perforated sheet has a lower panel enclosing
the space between the floor or ground and the lower platform,
and opening opposite the perforated sheet between the lower
platform and the upper platform, and netting enclosing the
space between the upper platform and the roof 93.
The modular play set 80e illustrated in Figs. 23 to 27 has
a main support beam 11 supported by two end frame support
assemblies 12 as shown in Fig. 23 in much the same form as
that described above with reference to Figs 1 to 22. The
support assemblies are in the form of a truncated A-frame,
having a top bar 12a between the upper ends of the support
poles and a central bar 12b intermediate the upper and lower
ends of the support 10 poles. Referring to the detail views in
Figs. 24 and 25, the top bar has a bar portion 12c which is
strengthened or stiffened by a plate portion 12d along the
lower extremity and attached thereto such as by welding. Three
strut plates 12e are provided intermediate the ends of the top
bar, to secure, or more securely 15 attach, a spigot 12f or
socket at right angles thereto for attachment of the main
support beam. Similarly, end spigots or sockets 12g are
attached to each end of the top bar for attachment of the
support poles.
A swivel swing 94 and a sling swing 95 are each mounted
to the main support beam as shown in Figs. 26 and 27. The sling
swing has a U-section base 96 suspended by four cables shown
typically at 97, the cables each extending from one of two
pivots to a corner of the base. The base may be rigid but
preferably, flexible with stiffening rods along the longer
sides, such that its performance is much the same as that of
a sling. Looking end on to the frame, the cables of the sling
swing conform substantially to the sloping sides of a triangle,
the base of which is provided substantially by at least part
of the base and the apex being substantially at the point where
they are mounted to a pivot which in turn is mounted to the
support beam. It can be seen that there are two pairs of cables
in such arrangement, one pair supporting one side of the base
and the other pair supporting the other side of the base.
Looking side on to the frame, and therefore end on to the sling
swing, the cables appear substantially parallel, the distance
between the sides of the base being substantially the same as
the spacing between the pivot mounts supporting the sling
swing. Additionally, a basketball hoop and backing board 98
are mounted to one of the truncated A-frames at the end of the
frame. Fixing pegs are also shown diagrammatically as if they
were extending into the ground to secure the frame against
movement and/or tipping.
The combinations of modular play elements selected for
assembly of the modular play sets in accordance with
embodiments of the invention include a mesh shade cover 99
though which water can drain. A rainproof cover may be placed
over the mesh or substituted therefor. The support band may be
branded or have other indicia thereon. Rope mesh may be
stretched between the end poles, working well for climbing as
well as for aesthetics, as shown in the previous drawings. A
multilevel climbing tower also as previously illustrated,
along with slides, safety nets, swivel swing and mesh panel
(the same material as the mesh roof panel) may be provided,
taking advantage of the modular nature of the design. The
climbing tower may be provided to a higher level than that
illustrated if desired.
The swing 110 illustrated in Figs. 28 to 31 has a frame
member 111 mounted to a swivel assembly 112 which is mounted
to a pivot assembly 113 which is mounted to a support frame
114. The frame member is formed from a hollow section or pipe
having a circular cross section and bent into a series of
straight portions as follows. Taken from the swivel assembly
and proceeding along the frame member, a transverse upper
portion 121 extends laterally from the swivel assembly to a
first bend 131, and then an upper oblique portion 122 extends
from the first bend at an oblique angle to a second bend 132.
A main portion 123 of the frame member extends from the
second bend substantially at right angles to the support frame,
the first and second bends being both have an obtuse internal
angle, but when combined provide a bend between the transverse
upper portion to the main portion of substantially 90°. The
main frame member extends from the second bend to a third bend
133. A lower oblique portion 124 extends from the third bend
at an oblique angle to a fourth bend 134. A transverse lower
portion 125 extends from the fourth bend to terminate at 126.
The third and fourth bends are substantially equal such
that the transverse lower portion is at substantially 45°.
That 5 is to say, each bend is substantially 45° to provide an
included angle of substantially 135°, thereby providing that
the lower transverse portion is substantially parallel to the
upper transverse portion which is in turn substantially
parallel to the support frame 114. The first angle is at about
73° to 74° to provide an internal angle of about 106° to 107°.
The second angle is the straight line complement of the first
angle, being 16° to 17° to provide an internal angle of 163°
to 164°.
A handle assembly 140 is mounted to the frame member about
midway along the intermediate portion. The handle assembly is
essentially a rectangular frame with its ends bent to
substantially 90° from the main plane of the rectangle. In
order to provide this form, the handle assembly has two upper
lateral handle portions 141 and 142 and two lower lateral
handle portions 143 and 144. The lateral handle portions 141
and 143 extend nominally from the left of the frame member and
the lateral handle portions 142 and 144 extend nominally to
the right of the frame member. There are four handle bends
145, 146, 147 and 148. For discrimination purposes, they may
be referred to as the upper left handle bend 145, the upper
right handle bend 146, lower left handle bend 147 and lower
right handle bend 148. Two gripping portions are provided, a
left gripping portion 151 and a right gripping portion 152.
Each gripping portion is in the form of a square “U” with
rounded corners, each ending in a straight upright gripping
portion 153.
A platform assembly 160 is mounted atop the transverse
lower portion 125 having a board fastened to an adjustment
plate 161 having a tubular portion which fits over the
transverse lower portion of the frame member. The platform
assembly is adjusted so that its position is directly below
the swivel, that is, with the swivel axis passing substantially
centrally therethrough, and also oriented so that it is
substantially level when the main part is substantially
vertical.
The swivel assembly 112 has a swivel axle 163 in the form
of a bolt penetrating two axially spaced swivel bearings 164
and secured in place by a nut, called hereinafter the swivel
nut 165. The swivel axle is retained inside a tubular swivel
housing 166 to which the upper portion 121 of the frame member
is welded.
The swivel bearings are retained in position axially by an
upper bearing plate 167, a lower bearing plate 168 and a swivel
bushing 169.
The pivot assembly 113 has a substantially horizontal
pivot axle 171, alike to the swivel axle, in the form of a
bolt secured in place by a nut, hereinafter called the pivot
nut 172. The pivot axle passes through the bore of two hanger
plates 173 welded to the support frame, and two pivot bearings
174 in between the hanger plates. The pivot bearings are held
axially in place by a pivot bushing 175 and the hanger plates.
A pivot housing 176 is free to rotate about the axis of the
pivot axis, the swivel housing being welded thereto to extend
radially from the pivot axis. The pivot and swivel axes
intersect one another substantially at right angles, but it
will be appreciated that the swing would still function
similarly if the axes were offset from one another.
In use, the swing may be mounted to a swing set along with
other swing or play equipment. A user may mount the platform
to stand upon same, and use their forward momentum, if any, to
commence swinging the swing in an oscillatory fashion about
the pivot axis, much in the same way as one would for a
traditional swing. However, being in a standing position, the
user will be required to hang on to either the frame member or
the handles. Swinging can be achieved in the normal manner,
such as by shifting body weight with the swinging of the swing.
A swivelling motion may also be introduced by corresponding
weight shifts of the user.
If desired, a motion akin to surfing or skateboarding may
be achieved by adopting the appropriate stance on the platform.
The user’s feet may be orientated across the platform,
along the platform, or any combination or orientation
therebetween. The handles may be used for shifting the upper
body away from the swivel axis to induce or otherwise control
the swivelling of the swing about the swivel axis.
In use, a particular design of modular play set according
to an embodiment of the present invention may be selected from
optional elements according to the desires or requirements of
a used. Once selected, the pieces are put together, possibly
in the form of a kit. The design of the modular play set may
be added to or changed as required or desired, particularly
where the user has a family with children advancing and
developing as they grow.
The arrangement and design of the elements permits a
lighter weight construction less expensive than play equipment
as may be supplied to municipal parks or commercial child care
centres.
It will be realised that the above is illustrative of one
or more examples of the invention, and that all such
modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to
persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad
scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
Claims (16)
1. A modular play set including: one or more support beams for supporting a plurality of play equipments therealong; two or more support assemblies each supporting at least an end of the or each support beam above a support surface in a lateral attitude, the support assemblies each including one or more upright poles having a lower end for engagement with the support surface and an upper end remote from the lower end; a lateral support structure associated with each support assembly and engaging the upper end of the or each pole, the lateral support structure having a support beam connection for connecting to one end of one or more of the support beams and extending by a predetermined distance transverse to the or at least one of the support beams connected thereto, wherein the lateral support structure is adapted to provide support for a cover assembly so that, in use, the cover assembly provides cover to the plurality of play equipments, wherein the cover assembly is arranged on and/or sized to be fitted and/or fixed tightly to the lateral support structure, wherein the cover assembly comprises a support band wrapped around at least a part of the upper external perimeter of the modular play set, wherein the support band is an integral part of the cover assembly and encloses a space containing within it the support beam, and wherein the support band extends downward from the top of the modular play set a short distance akin to a skirt.
2. The modular play set according to claim 1, wherein the support band is formed from a substantially inextensible material.
3. The modular play set according to claim 2, wherein the inextensible material is wrapped around the external perimeter of two or more lateral support structures.
4. The modular play set according to claim 1, wherein each lateral support structure associated with each support assembly includes a rectangular support frame, each rectangular support frame being elongate in the direction transverse to the support beam.
5. The modular play set according to claim 1, wherein the lateral support structure associated with each support assembly together form a part of a rectangular-shaped support frame.
6. The modular play set according to claim 5, wherein the rectangular-shaped support frame comprises a support band around the entire external perimeter of the modular play set.
7. The modular play set according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rectangular-shaped support frame comprises a pair of support beams supporting a plurality of rungs so that the frame has a ladder-like construction.
8. The modular play set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support assemblies are each in the form of a truncated A-frame, wherein each truncated A frame comprises a top bar between the upper ends of the support poles and a central bar intermediate the upper and lower ends of the support poles.
9. The modular play set according to claim 8, wherein the top bar has a bar portion which is strengthened or stiffened by a plate portion.
10. The modular play set according to claim 4, wherein the support beam is attached to the inner side of the rectangular support frame; and wherein the support beam extends to the outer side of the rectangular support frame.
11. The modular play set according to claim 11, wherein there are three or more support assemblies.
12. The modular play set according to claim 13, wherein the support beams are adapted to be joined end-to-end by joiners.
13. The modular play set according to any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising attachment means for attaching swings or other play equipment, wherein the swings are selected from standard swings, boat swings, bucket swings, trapeze, tyre swings, glide swings, swivel swings and slings; and wherein the other play equipment includes one or more of slides, slippery dips, rope ladders, scramble nets, knotted ropes, climbing poles or ropes, roman rings, slides and platforms.
14. The modular play set according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein there is further provided a flexible support assembly formed from trampoline mat material connectible to at least one of the support assemblies remote from the support beam.
15. The modular play set according to claim 14, wherein the flexible support assembly includes a sheet of flexible, substantially inextensible material held taut between two of the upright poles.
16. The modular play set according to claim 15, wherein the substantially inextensible material extends to at least two ground anchors remote from the lower ends of the support poles.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2016901846A AU2016901846A0 (en) | 2016-05-18 | Modular play set | |
AU2016902075A AU2016902075A0 (en) | 2016-05-31 | Modular play set | |
AU2017900478A AU2017900478A0 (en) | 2017-02-15 | Swing | |
AU2017900679A AU2017900679A0 (en) | 2017-02-28 | Modular play set | |
PCT/AU2017/050462 WO2017197458A1 (en) | 2016-05-18 | 2017-05-18 | Modular play set |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ748719A NZ748719A (en) | 2023-10-27 |
NZ748719B2 true NZ748719B2 (en) | 2024-01-30 |
Family
ID=
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