Climbing steps for playground structure

A climbing steps rail set includes a first molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on a lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to an elevated support structure, and a first plurality of apertures formed in the rail and configured to receive respective first ends of steps to be supported by the rail set. The rail set further includes a second molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on the lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to the elevated support structure, and a second plurality of apertures formed in the rail and configured to receive respective second ends of the steps to be supported by the rail set.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to children's playground equipment, and more particularly to climbing steps for playground equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Playground equipment often includes an elevated platform on which children can play, and from which they can access slides and other equipment. Typically, there are steps connected to the elevated platform so that children can climb up to the elevated platform from ground level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an improved climbing steps construction that is easy to assemble and install, and that is well-suited for the needs of the children using the steps.

More specifically, the invention provides a climbing steps rail set including a first molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on a lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to an elevated support structure, and a first plurality of apertures formed in the rail and configured to receive respective first ends of steps to be supported by the rail set. The rail set further includes a second molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on the lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to the elevated support structure, and a second plurality of apertures formed in the rail and configured to receive respective second ends of the steps to be supported by the rail set.

In one aspect of the invention, each of the rails includes a graspable handrail extending substantially the entire length of the rail from the lower end to the upper end. In another aspect of the invention, each of the rails includes a recessed pocket adjacent each of the plurality of apertures for facilitating the insertion of a fastener into a step received in the aperture. In yet another aspect of the invention, each of the rails includes a strengthening cavity formed in the rail.

The invention also provides a playstation including an elevated support structure positioned above a lower support surface, and climbing steps coupled to the elevated support structure for allowing a user to climb from the lower support surface to the elevated support structure. The climbing steps include a first molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on the lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to the elevated support structure, and a first plurality of apertures formed in the rail. The climbing steps further include a second molded plastic rail having a lower end configured to rest on the lower support surface, an upper end configured to be coupled to the elevated support structure, and a second plurality of apertures formed in the rail. Additionally, the climbing steps also include a plurality of steps positioned intermediate the first and second rails. Each step includes a first end received in a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures, and a second end received in a corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures.

In one aspect of the invention, the width of the climbing steps is variable depending on the length of the plurality of steps positioned intermediate the first and second rails. In another aspect of the invention, the rails form about a sixty degree angle with the lower support surface. In yet another aspect of the invention, each of the rails has a body thickness along a substantial portion of the rail and a mounting portion at the upper end that is thinner than the body thickness. A transition between the body thickness and the thinner mounting portion defines a shoulder configured to align the rail for mounting to the elevated support structure. In yet a further aspect of the invention, the elevated support structure includes first and second generally vertical members. The shoulder of the first rail is generally aligned with an edge of the first generally vertical member and the shoulder of the second rail is generally aligned with an edge of the second generally vertical member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1illustrates a playstation10of the type typically used by children for recreational play. The playstation10includes a plurality of legs14(only one is shown) that support an elevated support structure or platform18above a lower support surface, such as the ground22. As shown, a slide26may be coupled to the playstation10to allow children to slide from the platform18down to the ground22. While not shown, other rides and climbing features (e.g., swings, monkey bars, etc.) can also be coupled to the playstation10.

A set of climbing steps30is coupled to the playstation10to provide a way for children to climb from the ground22up to the platform18. Of course, the climbing steps30can also be used to climb from the platform18back down to the ground22. As best illustrated inFIG. 2, the climbing steps30are constructed of first and second one-piece, molded plastic rails34,38, respectively, which receive and support a plurality of steps42therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the rails34,38are molded from a suitable plastic using a conventional blow molding technique. Of course, other suitable molding techniques (e.g., rotational molding) can also be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first rail34forms the left side of the climbing steps30, while the second rail38forms the right side of the climbing steps30. The first and second rails34,38are substantially mirror images of one another, but are not interchangeable. In other words, the first rail34must be used as the left side rail of the climbing steps30and the second rail38must be used as the right side rail of the climbing steps30. This facilitates construction and installation of the climbing steps30in that there is only one way to assemble the climbing steps30based on the construction of the rails34,38. Furthermore, by having distinct left and right rails, the assembled climbing steps30are more aesthetically pleasing. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the rails34,38could also be modified such that each rail could be used as either a left-side or a right-side rail.

Each rail34,38includes a first or lower end46configured to rest on the ground22, and a second or upper end50configured to be coupled to the platform18. Each rail34,38further includes an inner surface54and an outer surface58. As best shown inFIG. 4, the inner and outer surfaces54,58are spaced apart to define a rail body thickness Tbthat is generally constant over a substantial portion of each rail34,38. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end50of each rail34,38defines a mounting portion62that is thinner than the rail body thickness Tband that includes a plurality of apertures64configured to receive fasteners66(seeFIG. 1) for securing the mounting portions62to respective first and second generally vertical members70,74of the playstation10. It should be noted that the vertical members70,74could also extend to the ground22in a manner similar to the leg14.

As best shown inFIG. 3, the transition between the portion of the rail38having the rail body thickness Tband the mounting portion62defines a shoulder78configured to align the rail38for mounting to the generally vertical member74. As shown inFIG. 1, the generally vertical members70,74are constructed of standard 4″×4″ lumber. To align the mounting portions62of the rails34,38for mounting, the rails34,38are positioned as shown inFIG. 1such that the shoulders78are generally aligned with and potentially even abut an outer edge or surface of the members70,74. Of course, the vertical members70,74could also be made of other size lumber (e.g., 2″×4″s), in which case the shoulders78of the rails34,38may not physically abut the vertical members. Nonetheless, the shoulders78will provide a visual alignment guide for positioning the mounting portions62properly with respect to the vertical members. The location of the apertures64on the mounting portions62is also selected such that the rails34,38can be mounted to vertical members of differing sizes.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, each rail34,38further includes a plurality of apertures82sized and configured to receive a respective end of a step42. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures82are each sized to receive an end of a step42constructed of standard 2″×6″ lumber. As illustrated in the figures, the rails34,38each include four, generally equally-spaced apertures82, with the lower three apertures82extending completely through the rails34,38, and the upper-most aperture82not extending completely through the rails34,38. Of course, all of the apertures82could extend completely through the rails34,38, or likewise, none of the apertures82need extend completely through the rails34,38.

As shown inFIG. 1, the top step42is positioned in the rails34,38such that its upper surface is generally aligned with the upper surface of the platform18. With this configuration, the top step42forms an extension to the platform18that facilitates climbing and descending the climbing steps30. Of course, the top step42need not be level with the upper surface of the platform18, and in an alternative embodiment, the platform18can be located above the top step42such that the child takes an additional step up from the top step42to reach the platform18.

Additionally, the number of apertures82in each rail34,38can vary depending upon the desired number of steps42and the rails could receive and/or be modified to receive other sizes of steps42as well (e.g., 2″×4″s, 2″×10″s, etc.). However, benefits to using standard 2″×6″ lumber as opposed to smaller 2″×4″ lumber include larger horizontal stepping surfaces for a child's feet and reduced horizontal gaps between successive steps. It should also be noted that the steps42need not be constructed of wood, but can alternatively be constructed of other suitable materials, such as plastics.

Each rail34,38also includes a recessed pocket86adjacent each aperture82. The recessed pockets86facilitate the insertion of fasteners90(e.g., screws or nails—seeFIG. 2) into the ends of the steps42to secure the ends of the steps42to the respective rails34,38. To assemble the steps30, a first end of a first step42is inserted into an aperture82in the first rail34. This procedure is repeated for each step42. Next, the second end of each step42is inserted into the corresponding aperture82in the second rail38. The fasteners90are inserted into the respective ends of the steps42within the recessed pockets86to secure the steps42in place with respect to the rails34,38.

The rails34,38each also include molded-in strengthening cavities94formed between the apertures82. A strengthening cavity94is also formed on each rail34,38below the lower-most aperture82. In the illustrated embodiment, the strengthening cavities94are generally oval-shaped adjacent the inner surfaces54and taper to an apex96(seeFIG. 4). The cavities94are oriented substantially vertically. Of course, any suitable cavity shape and orientation can be used, and the number and location of the cavities94can be varied as desired.

As shown inFIG. 3, the rails34,38are configured such that when mounted to the vertical members70,74, the rails form an angle α of about sixty degrees or less with the ground22. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is about sixty degrees. Each of the rails34,38is further constructed to include an integrally-formed graspable handrail98that extends substantially the entire length of the rail34,38from the lower end46to the upper end50. The handrail98is configured to meet ASTM F 1148-00 requirements for handgrasps, and provides a readily graspable component that a child100(seeFIG. 4) can grasp through the entire climb or descent of the climbing steps30. As best illustrated inFIG. 4, the handrail98is formed to include oppositely facing undercut portions99such that the child's fingers and thumb can wrap around a portion of the handrail98for improved grasping.

The rails34,38provide great flexibility for varying the overall width of the climbing steps30. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the assembled climbing steps30have an overall width of about twenty-four inches. This enables the four steps42to be cut from a single, eight-foot length of standard 2″×6″ lumber. However, the overall width of the climbing steps30can be easily varied to any desired width dimension simply by using the appropriate length of wood for the steps42.

The fact that the climbing steps30can be constructed at the site of the playstation10, as opposed to being either pre-assembled or a single, molded unit further facilitates the ability to package the rails34,38in a compact manner. As shown inFIG. 5, the rails34and38can be positioned and packaged such that the respective inner surfaces54engage one another. The inner surfaces54can each include interlock members in the form of a protrusion102and a recess106. As seen inFIG. 5, the first rail34includes a protrusion102positioned near the lower end46and a recess106positioned near the upper end50. The second rail38includes a protrusion102positioned near the upper end50to mate with the recess106in the first rail34, and a recess106positioned near the lower end46to mate with the protrusion102on the first rail. These interlocking members help orient the rails34,38with respect to one another and substantially prevent relative movement (e.g., sliding) between the rails34,38when placed together for packaging. Of course, the specific locations, configurations, and numbers of interlocking members can be varied as desired.

The lower end46of the rails34,38is also designed to facilitate storage and display of the rails34,38prior to assembly. As best shown inFIG. 3, the lower end46of each rail34,38includes an angled surface110that is inclined from the remainder of the lower surface configured to rest on the ground22. The angled surface110is generally normal to long edges of the rails34,38such that when the rails34,38are standing generally vertically (i.e., the long edges of the rails are oriented generally vertically), the angled surface110provides a generally horizontal surface capable of supporting the rails34,38in that generally vertical orientation. This feature is particularly useful for the storage and display of packaged rail sets in retail stores.