Abstract:
An assembly and method for mounting a platform or deck to a number of support posts is disclosed. Each corner of the deck includes an open ended slot and an aperture above the slot. Each of the support posts includes a pair of holes arranged in corresponding fashion with the slot and aperture of the deck. Fasteners are partially inserted into one of at least two holes of the support posts such that the deck can simply be lowered onto the fasteners such that the fasteners are engaged by the slots of the deck and the deck may rest securely thereon. Finally, the installer can insert fasteners through the aperture and first hole and finish tightening the other fasteners to completely secure the deck to the support posts.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to playground apparatus, and specifically to an assembly and method for attaching a deck or platform to support posts of a piece of playground apparatus. 
         [0002]    Many different configurations of playground apparatus are known in the art. In some constructions, vertical frame beams or posts provide support for the equipment&#39;s individual play units, which may include mounted platforms or decks, towers, ladders, slides, overhead bars, firepoles, ropes, climbing walls, swing beams, or the like. Several of these distinct play units may be interconnected by a single deck, so that a child may reach all of the play units from the same platform. Other units also may be added, including other decks, to enlarge the equipment and provide additional play options. 
         [0003]    Most known playground apparatus is constructed of multiple components, which must be assembled at the playground site. The various components must be attached by hardware or mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws, etc. Further, most pieces of playground apparatus are heavy and bulky due to the need to provide a sturdy final product. These pieces are difficult to manipulate in constructing the completed piece of playground apparatus. Even if the installer is supposed to be able to assemble a piece of playground apparatus himself, it is often quite time intensive, difficult, and/or dangerous without assistance in holding the pieces. In particular, it is quite difficult for the installer to lift the deck onto the support posts because oftentimes the deck must be held in place while each of the individual fasteners are coupled between the deck and the support posts. This requires the aid of a number of other individuals and requires that each individual hold his or her end of the deck in place while the installer fastens each corner of the deck to each of the support posts. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it has been desired to provide a simplified method and assembly for constructing a piece of playground apparatus. In particular, a relatively easier method, that requires fewer people, of securely attaching the deck of a piece of playground apparatus to the numerous support posts is desired. Further, a method of assembling a piece of playground apparatus that enables an installer to easily and securely fasten the deck into place onto the support posts is needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides an assembly and method for easily mounting a platform or deck to the support posts of a piece of playground apparatus with fewer installers. The playground apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of support posts. Each of the support posts has a first end secured to the ground, a second end opposite the first end, and a body therebetween. The support posts include a first hole on a surface of the body thereof. The playground apparatus further includes a deck for supporting users thereof. The deck includes a plurality of corners corresponding to the plurality of support posts. Each of the corners of the deck includes a first aperture, such as a longitudinally extending open-ended slot. The first aperture is configured to align with the first hole of the support posts. A first fastener is insertable into the first hole of each support post such that the deck may be lifted onto the first fasteners and supported thereon by engaging the first apertures with the first fasteners. Accordingly, the installer is able to secure the deck in place and loosely secure it to the support posts while he or she then proceeds to tighten the first fasteners to fully secure the deck to the support posts. 
         [0006]    The support posts may further include a second hole positioned above or adjacent the first hole and configured to receive a similar fastener. Likewise, the deck corners may include a second aperture configured to align and cooperate with the second hole of the support posts. Accordingly, while the deck rests loosely on the first fasteners, a plurality of second fasteners may be inserted through the second deck apertures and the second holes of the support posts to further secure the deck to the support posts. The playground apparatus of the present invention may include additional fasteners configured to further secure the deck and the support posts to one another. 
         [0007]    The particular features and advantages discussed above apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a piece of playground apparatus having a deck attached to support posts according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of the playground apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the playground apparatus of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial top plan view of a piece of playground apparatus including a deck attachment assembly according to the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial side elevation view of the playground apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the playground apparatus of  FIGS. 4-5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a partial exploded perspective view, taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , showing the underside of the deck, a deck mounting assembly according to the present invention, and support post; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view, taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , of the attachment assembly of  FIG. 7 , now showing the underside of the deck coupled to the support post. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary children&#39;s playground apparatus  10  includes four support posts  12 . Support posts  12  have a first end  14  secured within the ground, a second end  16  opposite the first end and extending therefrom, and a body  18  positioned between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . Although  FIGS. 1-3  show generally vertically extending posts, it should be understood that support posts  12  of the present invention may be arranged in a number of non-vertical orientations. For instance, support posts  12  may be bent such that second end  16  is offset diagonally, horizontally, and/or vertically from first end  14 . Playground apparatus  10  further includes a platform or deck  20  secured between four support posts  12 . Deck  20  is configured to support the weight of several children at once and, though a square deck is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , it should be understood that any number of shapes are possible, and that the shape of the deck may dictate the number of posts required. For instance, an octagonal deck will require eight posts, one for each corner of the deck. Likewise, a triangular deck will require only three posts. However, in the case of a circular deck, any number of posts may be used, so long as the deck is sturdily secured and meets all applicable safety requirements. 
         [0017]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a pair of railings  22  is positioned on opposite sides of deck  20 , though it is understood that playground apparatus  10  may alternatively be equipped with various configurations of railings  22 , or may be completely devoid of railings  22 . 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a ladder  24  secured to deck  20  to allow users of the playground apparatus to climb onto deck  20  from the ground. A pair of doorway railings  26  is positioned on each end of the side of the playground apparatus  10  coupled to the ladder  24  to define an entryway and provide the user with a grip for boosting him or herself onto the playground apparatus  10 . Again, numerous alternative embodiments exist for ladders and doorway railings, including omission of both or either. 
         [0019]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4-8 , a partial view of playground apparatus  10  is illustrated. Specifically,  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the coupling of support posts  12  to deck  20 . Support posts  12  are preferably constructed of a relatively sturdy material such as metal, wood, plastic, or another similar such material. In one embodiment, support posts  12  have a five inch diameter; however, other sizes may be utilized in carrying out the present invention. 
         [0020]    Deck  20  is also constructed from metal, plastic, wood, or any other suitable material sufficient for supporting the weight of a number of children. Deck  20  includes corners  28  that are beveled or otherwise configured to cooperate with the shape of support posts  12 . That is, the shape of corners  28  allow deck  20  to be held in close proximity with support posts  12 . For example, as shown, support posts  12  have a circular cross-section, and accordingly, each corner  28  is configured to cooperate with a generally rounded support post  12 . However, it should be understood that support posts  12  may have any other suitable cross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. and that corners  28  may be configured to cooperate with the particular posts being employed. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-8 , the deck mounting assembly  30  of the present invention is shown. Each beveled corner  28  of deck  20  includes a first aperture  32  and a second aperture  34  arranged above first aperture  32 . First aperture  32  comprises a slot with an open end that cooperates with a lower edge of the beveled corner  28 , and second aperture  34  comprises an oval shape with a long axis extending horizontally. 
         [0022]    However, first aperture  32  may also comprise a number of different shapes or sizes, such as an oversized placement hole, and second aperture  34  may likewise be varied, such as extending vertically rather than horizontally, or comprising a circular rather than oval shape. In addition, the arrangement of first aperture  32  under second aperture  34  may be varied. For example, second aperture  34  could be offset from first aperture  32  or apertures  32 ,  34  could be arranged side-by-side. Alternately, second aperture  34  could be eliminated entirely. Generally, it should be understood that any number of configurations may be utilized in practicing the present invention as long as first aperture  32  is capable of engaging a bolt, screw or other fastener such that the deck  20  is secured to the fastener and may be further secured into place as will be discussed in detail herein. 
         [0023]    Support posts  12  each include a corresponding receiving structures, in this case first hole  36  and second hole  38 , that are aligned with the apertures  32 ,  34  respectively. It is understood that, like apertures  32 ,  34 , the first hole  36  and second hole  38  may be arranged in a number of different configurations including side-by-side and offset from one another, as long as the arrangement of holes  36 ,  38  correspond to the arrangement of apertures  32 ,  34 . Further, first hole  36  and second hole  38  may comprise any number of shapes and sizes as long as they cooperate with the shape and size of apertures  32 ,  34 . 
         [0024]    It should also be understood that deck  20  and support posts  12  may include additional apertures and holes. That is, deck  20  may include additional apertures similar to apertures  32 ,  34 , arranged in any number of configurations for providing further points of attachment between deck  20  and support posts  12  to thereby provide more secure coupling therebetween. Likewise, support posts  12  may include a corresponding number of additional holes configured to cooperate with the additional apertures of deck  20 . 
         [0025]    Finally, it should be understood that, while a fastening arrangement including apertures at deck  20 , holes at posts  12 , and fasteners connecting deck  20  with posts  12 , other embodiments utilizing other fastening devices, receiving structures, or connections are well within the scope of the invention. Posts  12  could bear welded or otherwise directly attached pins, hooks, or other such mounting members that are positioned to cooperate with apertures  32 ,  34  such that support posts  12  do not require holes  36 ,  38 . For example, posts  12  could be equipped with threaded projections in place of holes, and a nut used to connect the projections through the apertures to the deck. Similarly, the deck apertures could be replaced with hooks, projections, or the like for connection to receiving structures on or in the posts. A playground equipment designer of skill in the art could make many such modifications, and all should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    In operation, a first fastener  40  such as a bolt or screw is inserted into each of first holes  36  of support posts  12  of playground apparatus  10 . First fastener  40  is partially screwed or otherwise inserted into first hole  36  such that a portion of fastener  40  extends outwardly from support post  12 . Accordingly, deck  20  may simply be lowered onto the extending portion of fasteners  40  such that slots  32  engage the outwardly extending portion of the fasteners  40 . As such, deck  20  is easily arranged in place on posts  12 . If fastener  40  is a bolt or similar such object, the head of the bolt is configured to secure deck  20  in place and prevent deck  20  from slipping out of contact with fastener  40 . 
         [0027]    If used, a second fastener  42  is then inserted through second aperture  34  and through second hole  38  of each support post  12  such that deck  20  is secured tightly thereto. A washer  44  is preferably provided between aperture  34  of deck  20  and the head of second fastener  42  to prevent the fastener from being inadvertently pulled through aperture  34 . Finally, once each of second fasteners  42  have been fully tightened, first fasteners  40  are likewise tightened to further secure deck  20  to support posts  12 . 
         [0028]    It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.