Abstract:
A horizontal ladder particularly useful in playgrounds includes two end structures, two elongated members extending between the end structures and handholds attached to the cables. Since the ladder does not need any horizontal support members it is safer to use than standard horizontal ladders.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     a. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to a new horizontal ladder particularly useful for playgrounds, and more particularly to a horizontal ladder consisting of two parallel vertically oriented members without any horizontal crossmember. 
     b. Description of the Prior Art 
     A common and popular feature of playgrounds for children is the horizontal ladder normally consisting of two parallel horizontal pipes interconnected at regular intervals by cross members similar to rungs on standard ladders, and secured at the ends to two upright structures. The pipes and crossmembers are positioned at a height of 5-7 feet to allow children to &#34;walk&#34; along the ladder hand-over-hand. Unfortunately, frequently when children are left unattended, they use the various playground equipment improperly. For example many children try to climb on top of horizontal ladder and try to stand on it or walk across it, and fall off. Because of the height of these ladders, such falls frequently result in major injuries and even death. 
     OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-mentioned disadvantage of the prior art, an objective of the present invention is to provide a horizontal ladder which greatly reduces potential injuries. 
     A further objective is to provide a horizontal ladder which is at least partially flexible to give more enjoyment to the children. 
     A further objective is to provide a horizontal ladder which is easy to manufacture from standard parts used to make other playground equipment so that it blends in aesthetically with the playground. 
     Briefly, a horizontal ladder constructed in accordance with this invention includes a first and a second end structure, a first and a second elongated member extending between said first and second end structures and a plurality of handholds attached to and extending downwardly from said first and second elongated members. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a horizontal ladder constructed in accordance with this invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of the ladder of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the handholds used for the ladder of FIGS. 1 and 2; and 
     FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a horizontal ladder 10 constructed in accordance with this invention includes a first and a second end structure 12, 14. These end structures may consist of two upright beams 16, 18 and 20, 22 spaced apart by a preselected distance. These beams may be made of wood, metal, or any other weatherproofed material. For example the inventor has found that beams made of recycled plastic is particularly useful for this purpose. 
     Two strong cables 24, 26 made for example of galvanized steel are secured in parallel by any well known means between beams 16 and 20. Two similar cables 28, 30 are also secured between beams 18 and 22 as shown. These cables are inherently somewhat flexible. Alternatively, rods may be used instead of cables. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, a plurality of handholds 32 are attached to cables 24 and 28 and hang downwardly. These handholds 32 can have a variety of shapes or configurations. In the figures, handholds 32 are in the form of cells described in more detail in my co-pending application Ser. No. 688,944 entitled A MODULAR ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE FOR PLAYGROUNDS AND THE LIKE. Briefly, each cell 32 consists of a generally square body 34 with a round hole 36 in the middle. Along two of its edges, cell 32 has rectangular cutouts as at 38. At the other edges the cell 32 is provided with matching tongues 42. The edges with the cutouts are provided with through-holes as at 44. The tongues 42 are provided with similar through-holes as at 46. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 28 passes through holes 44 and cable 32 passes through holes 46 thereby supporting the cells. In order to insure that the cells do not separate and pinch the fingers of a child, adjacent cells are coupled to each other by pins 48. Preferably pins 48 are sized to form an interference fit with holes 44, 46. Cells 32 are preferably made of a plastic material for example by molding. 
     In this manner a strong durable, horizontal ladder is made. The cells are sized and shaped so that they can be easily grasped. Importantly, since the ladder does not need any horizontal cross-members, it would be extremely difficult for children to climb up on this ladder especially since the cables give it a slight flexibility. 
     In FIG. 4 an alternate embodiment is shown wherein instead of cables, the handholds are attached to two pipes 28&#39;, 30&#39; shaped in any arbitrary manner. While in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 the handholds must extend in a straight line no such restrictions are necessary for the embodiment of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, pins 48 are attached directly to the pipes 28&#39;, 30&#39;. 
     Obviously numerous modifications may be made to this invention without departing from its scope as defined in the attached claims.