Abstract:
The present invention relates to playground equipment and, more particularly, to a playground apparatus incorporating modular construction, which permits rapid simplified assembly, modification and universal arrangement of playground equipment modules without tools.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/495,770, entitled “Modular Ladder Frame Playground System,” filed on Jun. 10, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/548,162, entitled “Modular Ladder Frame Playground System,” filed Oct. 17, 2011, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to playground equipment and, more particularly, to a playground apparatus incorporating modular construction, which permits rapid simplified assembly, modification and universal arrangement of playground equipment modules without tools. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the past, playground equipment typically consisted of a single-unit device such as a slide, a swing, a set of swinging bars or the like. These components were sometimes permanently combined during manufacture. Modern playground equipment, however, has become a conglomeration of many playground components or modules attached to one another by various means and in a variety of arrangements. These changes in playground equipment have evolved to meet the demands of a new generation of child-care facilities. In the past, most playground equipment was found in large schoolyards where space was plentiful and basic equipment was sufficient. However, with the ever-increasing number of day-care facilities, play centers for learning and training of children and many other child-care facilities, the requirements for playground equipment to meet a great variety of needs have created a dilemma for the producers of the equipment. 
         [0004]    For example, if a user is providing equipment for use in play and learning classes for children of various ages and abilities, such as the Gymboree® Play &amp; Music® program, that involve age-appropriate activities, this would involve a mix of equipment, play and activities on mats. One of the more demanding aspects of the Gymboree® programs is the requirement to adapt the activity area for the next age group in the 5-10 minutes that are available between sessions. As in many child-care and learning facilities, the space requirements vary. While one facility with a large playground to accommodate large numbers of children may require equipment having several varied components, another smaller operation may have limited space, which requires the equipment to be limited to only one or a small number of components that must be specifically arranged to fit the available space. 
         [0005]    While any playground equipment having a variety of components may obviously be assembled and disassembled, the equipment available prior to this disclosure relies on concrete footings and connecting devices that are rendered permanent by a variety of means and does not lend itself to be quickly and easily assembled and custom configured to meet the varied needs of the present generation of equipment users. Specifically fixed playground equipment does not allow for continuous adaptations to the play environment to accommodate children of various ages and abilities or to alter the play setting to provide additional challenge in consideration of the learning that children experience during use of the equipment. Thus, there is a need for a safe and sturdy modular playground system with a small number of module assembly mechanisms to which all playground modules may be attached that permits simplified transportation, assembly and modification of unattached playground modules of varied types without tools. 
         [0006]    This unique design for a Ladder with Fixed and Removable Rungs is part of a system of components that may be fitted together to form a variety of arrangements, and when further combined with other special platforms, barriers, and climbing-activity components to name a few, are intended to inspire fitness activity and physical development in young children and those arrangements of components further perform that in ways that also serve to enhance cognitive and social developmental realms in the children who use the overall play equipment. This Ladder with Removable Rungs may also be used in other combinations to form additional structures and structural systems for other purposes than play. This Ladder with Removable Rungs has as a basic characteristic, a method included in its design that allows some of the horizontal rung components to be removed and repositioned by persons when in the process of reconfiguring the physical arrangement of the overall structure, of which this ladder is a key component. This process may be accomplished without the use of tools, only requiring the hands to fit and secure the components in place, or, conversely, to disassemble the components for reconfiguration or storage. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The disclosure describes a unique modular construction apparatus that greatly enhances the building, efficient transportation, assembly and utility of modern playground equipment. More specifically, the disclosure provides a unique nucleus around which a modular construction of playground equipment may be quickly and easily assembled. This nucleus is defined as a modular ladder frame assembly. This mechanism comprises three or more modular ladder frames, a lockable deck and a plurality of connectors. The modular ladder frame assembly is connected to one or more brace mechanisms. The system is constructed of three or more modular ladder frames connected at the ends by a plurality of connectors thereof so as to form a configuration for attachment thereto of a lockable deck, and subsequently, the brace mechanisms. As will be seen in more detail as the description continues, the modular ladder frame playground system is specifically designed for quick and easy assembly of a variety of brace mechanisms that comprise playground equipment modules, such as stairways, ladders, slides, fish-eye windows, safety rails, game devices, tunnels, walkways and the like. Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the example embodiments will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular ladder frame assembly mechanism. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a modular ladder frame with removable rungs and nonremovable rungs. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the removable rungs of the modular ladder frame. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of a floor puzzle of the modular frame playground system, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lockable deck of the modular ladder frame assembly. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6A to 6E  are detailed views of the lockable deck of the modular ladder frame assembly. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A to 7E  are cross-sectional views of the base connectors of the modular ladder frame assembly. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A to 8E  are cross-sectional views of the top connectors of the modular ladder frame assembly. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  are detailed side views of two embodiments of the modular ladder frame assembly that comprises two embodiments of brace mechanisms. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate side views of one embodiment of the brace of the modular frame assembly playground equipment system;  FIG. 10C  illustrates a perspective view of the center frame of one embodiment of a brace mechanism. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled modular ladder frame playground system showing playground equipment modules attached to the modular assembly and brace mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of the ladder frame assembly of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of the removable rung assembly of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 14A-F  is an illustration of the assembly and removal of the rungs from the ladder frame of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The purpose of this system disclosed is to create a modular ladder frame playground system that is stable and can be reconfigured extremely rapidly without tools. The core of the modular ladder frame playground system is a modular ladder frame assembly mechanism  100 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular ladder frame assembly mechanism  100 .  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the modular frame assembly  100  that comprises three or more modular ladder frames  101 A,  101 B and  101 C, a plurality of connectors  130  and  132 , floor puzzle  133  and a lockable deck  126 . Three or more modular ladder frames  101 A,  101 B and  101 C are connected at the top and bottom by a plurality of connectors  130  and  132 . A lockable deck  126  is inserted between these modular ladder frames, which, by virtue of having rubber cleats or other spring-like elements on its edges, forces the top and bottom connections to lock into place (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The lockable deck  126  also aligns the modular ladder frames  101 A,  101 B and  101 C into a regular configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , which, in this embodiment, is a triangular configuration. The regular configuration of the modular ladder frame assembly may be any geometric shape, including, but not limited to, triangular, rectangular, square, octagonal and the like. The addition of nonskid flooring beneath the modular frame ladder playground system provides additional stabilization. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a modular ladder frame  201  with removable rungs  206  and nonremovable rungs  202  and  204 . The modular ladder frames  201  themselves can be configured in many ways, the primary requirement being providing rungs  202 ,  204  and  206  on which a lockable deck(s) (not shown) can be placed to provide the locking force necessary to stabilize the system. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , nonremovable or permanent rungs  202  and  204  are combined with removable rungs  206  to better accommodate users moving over and through the system when complex configurations are created. The modular ladder frames  201  comprise vertical supports  238  that run through the length of the modular ladder frames  201 . Structurally, it is only necessary that the rungs be of sufficient number and rigidity to impart sufficient integrity to the modular frame assembly for the anticipated loads. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the removable rungs  306  of the modular ladder frame  301 . The cross section of the removable rungs  306  of the modular ladder frame  301  comprises tubular pipe casing  308 , index button  322 , a compression spring  310 , Sleevie Wonder  312 , Latch Bar  314 , Pins  329 , which secure the Sleevie Wonder in the tubular pipe casing  308  and which retain the compression spring  310 . The components of removable rung  306  interact to allow for the secure placement and removal of the removable rung  306  from the modular ladder frame  301  to accommodate the use of the playground system for various sizes and ages of children. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the floor puzzle  433  that is associated with the horizontal support of the modular ladder playground system. The floor puzzle  433  is placed on the floor either as one unit or multiple connecting units. The floor puzzle  433  in  FIG. 4  illustrates a three unit configuration. The floor puzzle  433  functions to receive the base connectors as shown in  FIG. 7 , two aperture base connectors  430 A, three aperture base connectors  430 B, and four aperture base connectors  430 C. The floor puzzle  433  along with the base connectors serve to support the modular ladder playground system as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 9B ,  FIG. 9C  and  FIG. 11 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lockable deck  526  of the modular ladder frame assembly. A lockable deck  526  is inserted between these modular ladder frames, which, by virtue of having rubber cleats or other spring-like elements on its edges, forces the top and bottom connections to lock into place (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). The lockable deck  526  also aligns the modular ladder frames  501 A,  501 B and  501 C into a regular configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6A  a detailed view of the underside of the lockable deck  626  of the modular ladder frame assembly (not shown). The detailed view of the lockable deck  626  illustrates the hook  640  and the top connectors  630  of the modular frame assembly  600 , that are shown and discussed in more detail in  FIG. 8A  to  FIG. 8E  below. The sides of the lockable deck  626  connect to the modular frame by lockable deck latch  647 , hook  640  and cleats  645  that securely and snugly fit onto and/or against the rungs of the modular ladder frame assembly. A lockable deck  626  is inserted between these modular ladder frames, which, by virtue of having a latch  647  or other spring-like elements on its edges, forces the top and bottom connections to lock into place as shown in  FIG. 6 . One skilled in the art understands that the latch  647  can be any type of element or mechanism that forces the secure connection of the lockable deck  626  into place on the modular frame assembly. The hooks  640  allow for a better fit to the modular frame. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a 3-D perspective view of the bottom of the lockable deck  626  of the modular ladder frame assembly (not shown).  FIG. 6C  is a 3-D perspective view of the bottom of the lockable deck  626  that is attached to the modular ladder frame assembly  600 . The embodiments of the lockable deck in  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C  have a triangular shape. The sides of the lockable deck  626  connect to the modular frame by lockable deck latch  647  that snugly fit onto or against the modular ladder frame assembly  600  at the sides of the lockable deck  626 . A lockable deck  626  is inserted between these modular ladder frames, which, by virtue of having lockable deck latches  647  or other spring-like elements on its edges, force the cleats  645  and hooks  640  to lock into place as shown in  FIG. 6C . One skilled in the art understands that the lockable deck latches  647  can be any type of element or mechanism that forces the secure connection of the lockable deck  626  into place on the modular frame assembly. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6D  is a 3-D perspective view of the bottom of the lockable deck  626  of the modular ladder frame assembly (not shown).  FIG. 6E  is a 3-D perspective view of the bottom of the lockable deck  626  that is attached to the modular ladder frame assembly  600 . The embodiments of the lockable deck in  FIG. 6D  and  FIG. 6E  have a cross or square shape. The sides of the lockable deck  626  connect to the modular frame by lockable deck latches  647  that snugly fit onto or against the modular ladder frame assembly  600  at the sides of the lockable deck  626 . A lockable deck  626  is inserted between these modular ladder frames, which, by virtue of having hooks  640  and lockable deck latches  647  or other spring-like elements on its edges, force the hooks  640 , cleats  645  and lockable deck latches  647  to lock into place as shown in  FIG. 6C . One skilled in the art understands that the lockable deck latches  647  can be any type of element or mechanism that forces the secure connection of the lockable deck  626  into place on the modular frame assembly. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7A to 7E  are cross-sectional views of the base connectors of the modular ladder frame assembly. The base connectors connect to stabilize the base of the modular ladder frame.  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C illustrate cross-sectional top views of three embodiments of base connectors  730 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is a two aperture configuration  730 A. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7B  is a three aperture configuration  730 B. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7C  is a four aperture configuration  730 C.  FIG. 7D  illustrates one embodiment of the base connector that comprises a bottom plate  731  and a tubular protuberance  734  with a round top  736  that fits into a hollow portion  738  of a modular ladder frame.  FIG. 7E  illustrates one embodiment of the base connector that comprises a bottom plate  731  and two tubular protuberances  734  with a round top  736  that fits into two hollow portions  738  of a modular ladder frame.  FIG. 7E  illustrates the rounded tops  736  on the tubular protuberances  734  that facilitate the assembly of the frames into composite towers by aligning the legs of the frames to the base connectors. In order to precisely establish the spacing of the tubular protuberances  734 , and thereby the ladder frames, the tubular protuberances  734  are inset into recesses in the base connector. This arrangement of a stepped connection also adds strength and rigidity between the tubular protuberances  734  and the base connector. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 8A to 8E  are various views of the top connectors of the modular ladder frame assembly. The top connectors connect to stabilize the top of the modular ladder frame.  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C illustrate top views of three embodiments of top connectors  832 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8A  is a two aperture configuration  832 A. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8B  is a three aperture configuration  832 B. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8C  is a four aperture configuration  832 C.  FIGS. 8D and 8E  illustrate two side views of one embodiment of a two aperture top connector  832 A.  FIG. 8D  illustrates one embodiment of a three aperture top connector  832 B that comprises a top plate  839 , ladder connecting tubular protuberances  834  and rounded end  836  that fits into a hollow portion  838  of a modular ladder Frame.  FIG. 8E  illustrates one embodiment of a two aperture top connector  832 A that comprises a top plate  839 , two ladder connecting tubular protuberances  834  with round end  836 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8E , the internal connector  842  can be connected by any means known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as by screwing or tapping. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of one embodiment of the modular frame assembly playground system  980  of the present disclosure that comprises a modular ladder assembly  900  and two embodiments of brace mechanisms  950  and  960 . While single towers made of three or more modular ladder frames, such as those illustrated in  FIG. 1 , are inherently stable for compression loads, additional stability is required for lateral loads. This is achieved by placing side brace mechanisms  950  and  960 . In this example, shown in  FIG. 9A , these brace mechanisms  950  and  960  are comprised of play equipment modules, such as climbers  950  and slides  960 . The weight of play equipment modules is sufficient to stabilize the towers for most uses; however, additional stability is added when the modular ladder frame playground system  980  is installed on a nonskid surface,  970  which tends to prevent the braces from sliding away from the towers. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9B  is a 3-D side view of one embodiment of the modular frame assembly playground system  980  of the present disclosure that comprises a modular ladder frame assembly  900  and two embodiments of the brace mechanisms  950  and  960 . In this example, shown in  FIG. 9B , the modular ladder frame  900  comprises a brace mechanism  960  or slide and a climber  950  and two lockable decks  926  installed on a nonskid surface  970 , which tends to prevent the braces from sliding away from the towers. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9C  is a 3-D side view of one embodiment of the modular frame assembly playground system  980  of the present disclosure that comprises a modular ladder frame assembly  900  and one embodiment of the brace mechanism  960 , a slide. In this example, shown in  FIG. 9C , the modular ladder frame assembly  900  comprises brace mechanisms  960  or slide and  950 , climber lockable decks  926  installed on a nonskid surface  970 , which tends to prevent the braces from sliding away from the towers. The lockable decks  926  shown are both a triangular and a square or cross shape; however, one skilled in the art understands that many geometric shapes are possible. The two lockable decks  926  are shown twice in the figure, once as attached to the modular frame assembly  900  and once as separated from the modular frame assembly with the underside exposed. The lockable decks  926  with the underside sides exposed show cleats  945  and hooks  940  and lockable deck latches  947 . As described above, in  FIGS. 6A to 6E , lockable decks  926  are inserted between these modular ladder frames  900 , which, by virtue of having cleats  945  and hooks  940  and lockable deck latches  947  or other spring-like elements on its edges, force the cleats  945  and lockable deck latch  947  to lock into place. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C illustrate one embodiment of a brace mechanisms  1050 —a rocking climber. Other brace mechanisms may comprise various playground equipment modules, including, but not limited to, stairways, ladders, slides, fish-eye windows, safety rails, game devices, tunnels, walkways and the like.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate side views of one embodiment of the brace mechanisms  1050  of the modular frame playground system  980 . The embodiment in  FIGS. 10A  illustrates the hooks  1051 , the top arch rail  1052 , the bottom arch rail  1054  and the side arch rail  1058  of the rocking climber embodiment. The embodiment in  FIG. 10B  illustrates a view of the side arch railing  1058 .  FIG. 10C  illustrates the center portion  1056  attached to the railings. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a perspective view of the center portion  1056  of one embodiment of a brace mechanism  1050 . The center portion  1056  may comprise various embodiments of climbing structures. In this example, the center portion  1056  is a fitted net, but any number of other climbing opportunities, such as rungs could be used. 
         [0037]    The rocking climber brace mechanism shown in  FIG. 10A-C ,  1050  illustrates the synergy between various brace mechanisms and the ladder frame. The central idea of the rocking climber  1050  is, in addition to bracing the ladder frame, to provides a means of access to the decks at all of their various elevations. See  FIGS. 9A-9C . Since rocking climber brace mechanism  1050  must accommodate a wide variety of ages, hooks  1051  are provided at either end which not only secure the rocking climber brace mechanism  1050  in place but also provide stability to the system by triangulating between the removable rung on which it rests and the nonskid floor. Because of the ability of the system to be rapidly reconfigured for a wide variety of play experiences the rocking climber brace mechanism  1050  may also be used at ground level. Repeating the top arch rail  1052  on the opposite side, the bottom side rail  1054  now allows the device to function as a rocker on the floor. In addition to rocking the device can also be spun around. 
         [0038]    Since younger children need stability support while climbing, a top arch rail  1052  is provided comprising an arch shape so that it readily falls to the hand in all possible orientations. The top arch rail  1052  and bottom arch rail  1054  require structural rigidity and an another outside arch rail arch  1058  is placed on the outside of the rocking climber  1050  on both sides. These small outside arches  1058  also serve to prevent the railing arches from collapsing should pressure, such as sitting, be applied to them since, should such pressure be encountered, the device rolls out of harm&#39;s way. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled modular ladder frame playground system showing playground equipment modules attached to the modular ladder frame assembly mechanism  1100  and three brace mechanisms  1190 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . The three brace mechanisms  1190  are two embodiments of a climbing structure and a slide connected to the modular ladder frame assembly mechanism  1100 . In the system of the present disclosure, each additional component adds cumulatively to its stability of the overall system. The three or more modular ladder frames with top and bottom connectors make a frame that will stand on its own. By inserting the lockable deck with the top connectors, the stability of the system increases. Placing the brace mechanisms on the modular ladder frame assembly adds heft to the system and braces the towers. Thus, a completed modular ladder frame playground system is a very stable structure composed of separate components that are mutually dependent. 
         [0040]    The Ladder with Removable Rungs consists of two basic sub-assemblies, the Ladder Frame Assembly (See  FIG. 12 ) and the Removable Rung Assembly (See  FIG. 13 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the Ladder Frame Assembly  1201  consists of a frame (See  FIG. 12 ) composed of two Tubular Ladder Pipe Segments  1205  and one Upper Fixed Rung  1202 , and one Lower Fixed Rung  1204 , that are permanently affixed to one another, and also includes 8 Receiver Cups  1207  that are captured in holes drilled in the Tubular Ladder Pipe Segments  1205  by means of a built-in catch in the Receiver Cups  1207 , four Receiver Cups  1207  per Tubular Ladder Pipe Segment  1205 , and positioned so that they are directly adjacent to one another, and facing one another. Each Receiver Cup  1207  also has a rectangular slot passing partway through its center axis, transverse to the long axis of the Tubular Ladder Pipe Segments  1205 , having its long axis parallel to the long axis of the Tubular Ladder Pipe Segments  1205 , for the purpose of admitting the Latch Bar  1214 . This slot intersects with a rectangular slot of the receiving cup  1207  that runs perpendicular to the rectangular slot, thereby securing the Removable Rung Assembly to the Ladder Frame Assembly. 
         [0041]    A related assembly, the Removable Rung Assembly (See  FIG. 13 ), is fitted to Ladder Frame  1305 , which is fitted with Receiving Cups  1307  at each rung location [along] its length, in an exemplary embodiment, is constructed of a Tubular Rung Segment  1308  having three small Holes near one end, and one Hole near the other end, which are all aligned along a tangent line that is positioned on the outer Tubular Rung Segment  1308  diameter, and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the Tubular Rung Segment  1308 . The Holes at the first end allow a special adapter, the Sleevie Wonder  1312 . The Sleevie Wonder  1312  comprises a flange to stop it in the pipe during assembly and a Rectangular Hole at the flanged end to admit the Latch Bar  1314  to be slipped inside the slotted end of the Tubular Rung Segment  1308 . 
         [0042]    A Latch Bar  1314  is then slipped into the Rectangular Hole in the end of the Sleevie Wonder  1312 . The Latch Bar  1314  has two notches in its upper side to secure the bar in either its open or closed positions. A Release Button  1322  that has one side relieved to match the radius of the Tubular Rung Segment  1308 , and a hollow area molded into its body is secured to the Latch Bar  1314  by expanding this opening so that it may pass the Latch Bar  1314  and spring back to be held securely by the body of the Sleevie wonder  1312 . The Sleevie Wonder  1312  is secured with a pin  1329  through a slot in the Latch Bar  1314  that is nearest the arrow point end, securing the Latch Bar  1314  to the rest of the assembly such that it may be released to slide along the slot by means of the Release Button  1322  and spring  1310 , and by that means be either fully extended or fully retracted by hand. Once released by the Release Button  1322  the Latch Bar  1314  is locked in position by the Catch Lever  1313  that is integral with the Sleevie Wonder  1312 . The other end of the Removable Rung Assembly is completed having the second Sleevie Wonder  1312 , positioned so that it is parallel to the first Sleevie Wonder  1312 . The second Latch Bar and the second Sleevie Wonder  1312  are secured to the Tubular Rung Segment  1308  using a pin that passes through the Tubular Rung Segment  1308 , through the Sleevie Wonder  1312 , and through the hole in the Latch Bar  1314  thereby forming the “Fixed” Latch Bar  1314  end of the Removable Rung Segment Assembly. 
         [0043]    To assemble a Removable Rung Segment  1406  Assembly to a Ladder Frame Assembly (See  FIG. 14 ), a Removable Rung Segment Assembly having its retractable Latch Bar  1414  is prepared by manually depressing the Latch Bar  1414  into the fully retracted position while simultaneously depressing the Release Button  1422  which is then held by a Catch Bar  1413  that intersects with a notch in the Latch Bar  1414  (see  FIGS. 14A  and B). The fixed Latch bar  1414  (see  FIG. 14C ) is then inserted fully into any of the Receiver Cups  1407 , allowing the other end—having the retractable Latch Bar  1414  still fully retracted—to be rested in the slot portion of any opposite Receiver Cup  1407 . Next the retracted Latch Bar  1414  is allowed to extend fully into the Receiver Cup  1407  by the force of the Spring  1410  by again depressing the Release Button  1422 , aligning its arrow-shaped end to align with the rectangular slot inside of the Receiver Cup  1407 . Now the Removable Rung Segment Assembly is be “locked” into position by the Catch Lever  1413  (see  FIG. 14D ) on the body of the Sleevie Wonder. 
         [0044]    A Removable Rung Segment Assembly may be removed from a Ladder Frame Assembly (see  FIGS. 14E  and F) by pressing the Release Button  1422  and the arrow shaped point of the Latch Bar  1414  is depressed by the action of lifting the Removable Rung and the Latch Bar  1414  is held in its retracted position by the second notch on the Latch Bar  1414 . 
         [0045]    All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. 
         [0046]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the use.