Patent Publication Number: US-7594875-B2

Title: Arched climbing panel

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to children&#39;s playground equipment, and more particularly to climbing panels 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. Often, there are steps connected to the elevated platform so that children can climb up to the elevated platform from ground level. Additionally, there are often one or more climbing panels that provide an alternative or additional option for climbing up to the elevated platform. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a reversible arched climbing panel that is suited for use with a variety of playstations having elevated platforms of differing heights. The arched climbing panel is curved about an axis at a non-constant radius such that when oriented in a first orientation, the climbing panel extends to a first mounting height, and when oriented in a second orientation, the climbing panel extends to a second mounting height that is different from the first mounting height. 
     More specifically, the invention provides a climbing panel including a body that is curved about an axis at a non-constant radius of curvature. The body has first and second end portions and is configured for use such that one of the first and second end portions is supported by a support surface and the other of the first and second end portions is coupled to an elevated support structure. The body is reversible between a first orientation, where the first end is adjacent the support surface and the second end is coupled to the elevated support structure and extends to a first mounting height, and a second orientation, where the second end is adjacent the support surface and the first end is coupled to the elevated support structure and extends to a second mounting height that is different from the first mounting height. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the first and second end portions each include a first recessed portion configured to receive a fastener for coupling the end portion to the elevated support structure and a second recessed portion configured to receive a stake extending from the support surface. In another aspect of the invention, the body includes a plurality of apertures configured to receive the hands or feet of a user climbing on the climbing panel. Each of the plurality of apertures can extend entirely through the body. In a further aspect of the invention, the body defines first and second oppositely-facing surfaces, and at least one of the first and second oppositely-facing surfaces includes a raised ridge portion extending around a perimeter of at least one of the plurality of apertures. 
     The invention also provides a playstation defining an elevated support structure and including the arched climbing panel described above. In one aspect of the invention, the playstation can include a planar climbing panel coupled to the elevated support structure adjacent one end of the arched climbing panel. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a playstation including an arched climbing panel embodying the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the arched climbing panel of  FIG. 1  shown in a first orientation to extend to a first mounting height. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the arched climbing panel of  FIG. 1  shown in a second orientation to extend to a second mounting height. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the arched climbing panel similar to  FIG. 3 , but shown coupled to a playstation with an elevated platform that is higher than the elevated platform shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the arched climbing panel shown in the first orientation and illustrating the non-constant radius of curvature. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the arched climbing panel showing the end that is mounted to the playstation. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the arched climbing panel showing the end that is supported by the ground or other supporting surface. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial section view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial section view taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “having” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a playstation  10  of the type typically used by children for recreational play. The playstation  10  includes a plurality of legs  14  (only one is shown) that support an elevated support structure or platform  18  above a lower support surface, such as the ground  22 . As shown, a slide  26  may be coupled to the playstation  10  to allow children to slide from the platform  18  down to the ground  22 . While not shown, other rides and climbing features (e.g., swings, monkey bars, etc.) can also be coupled to the playstation  10 . 
     An arched climbing panel  30  is coupled to the playstation  10  to provide a way for children to climb from the ground  22  up to the platform  18 . Of course, the arched climbing panel  30  can also be used to climb from the platform  18  back down to the ground  22 . In yet another alternative embodiment, a substantially planar climbing panel  34  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) can be coupled to the playstation  10  adjacent the arched climbing panel  30  to provide an additional climbing configuration. The illustrated planar climbing panel is of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,402,663 and 6,629,907 assigned to PlayStar Inc., which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated arched climbing panel  30  comprises a unitary body  38  that terminates in first and second end portions  42  and  46 , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions  42 ,  46  are integrally formed with the remainder of the body  38 . However, in other embodiments, the end portions  42 ,  46  can be removably attached to the body to provide end portions having different mounting arrangements than the arrangement to be described in detail below. The illustrated arched climbing panel  30  is 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. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the body  38  is curved about an axis  50  at a non-constant radius of curvature.  FIG. 5  illustrates just two of the radii of curvature R 1  and R 2  that are combined to arrive at the illustrated non-constant radius of curvature. By designing the body  38  to have a non-constant radius of curvature, the arched climbing panel  30  is reversible between a first orientation (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 ), where the first end  42  is adjacent the ground  22  and the second end  46  is coupled to the elevated platform  18  and extends to a first mounting height H 1  (see  FIG. 2 ) above the ground  22 , and a second orientation (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), where the second end  46  is adjacent the ground  22  and the first end  42  is coupled to the elevated platform  18  and extends to a second mounting height H 2  (see  FIG. 3 ) that is different from the first mounting height H 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting height H 1  is about three feet and the second mounting height H 2  is about four feet. Of course, the reversible arched climbing panel  30  can be designed to achieve any desirable mounting heights. 
     The reversible nature of the arched climbing panel  30  allows the panel  30  to be used with different playstations  10  having different platform  18  heights or to be used in different locations on the same playstation  10 . For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates the arched climbing panel  30  being used in the first orientation with a playstation  10  having a platform  18  elevated to about three feet.  FIG. 3  illustrates the arched climbing panel  30  being used in the second orientation with a playstation  10  having a platform  18  elevated to about four feet.  FIG. 4  also illustrates the arched climbing panel  30  in the second orientation, however, the arched climbing panel  30  is shown being used with a playstation  10  having a platform elevated to about five feet. With this arrangement, the user  54  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) will have a step up from the arched climbing panel  30  to the platform  18 . 
     The first end portion  42  defines a first end surface  58  and the second end portion  46  defines a second end surface  62 . To facilitate properly positioning the arched climbing panel  30  in either of the first or second orientations, the end surfaces  58  and  62  are oriented substantially normal to one another as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This helps align and orient the arched climbing panel  30  during assembly. 
     As also shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second end portions  42 ,  46  are substantially identical to one another, thereby contributing to the reversibility of the arched climbing panel  30 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 , the body  38  defines first and second oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 , respectively. Each end  42 ,  46  includes a plurality of recessed portions  74  (see  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) formed in the first oppositely-facing surface  66  and that are configured with apertures  76  to receive fasteners  78  (see  FIG. 6 ) for securing the arched climbing panel  30  to a mounting member  82  of the playstation  10 . The recessed portions  74  allow the heads of the fasteners  78  to be recessed below the surface  66 , thereby minimizing the chances that the user  54  will come into contact with the fasteners  78 . As illustrated, there are four recessed portions  74  for receiving a respective four fasteners  78 . However, those skilled in the art will understand that other suitable arrangements (e.g., more or fewer recesses, multiple fasteners per recess, etc.) can also be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , each end portion  42 ,  46  further includes a recessed portion  86  formed in the second oppositely-facing surface  70  and configured to receive a stake  90  that has been driven into or otherwise secured in the ground  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed portion  86  is sized to accept the end of a standard 2″×4″ board that has been partially driven into the ground  22 . One or more fasteners  94  can be used to secure the arched climbing panel  30  to the stake  90 . While staking the arched climbing panel  30  in the illustrated manner is optional, it can provide better support and stability to the arched climbing panel  30 . Of course, other suitable configurations for staking or otherwise securing the arched climbing panel  30  to the ground  22  can also be substituted. 
     It should be noted that the illustrated configurations for the end portions  42  and  46  are well suited for mounting the reversible arched climbing panel  30  in the manner shown in the figures. However, the end portions  42 ,  46  can have alternate configurations designed for different mounting arrangements. For example, instead of the four recessed portions  74 , the ends  42 ,  46  could include a flange extending generally parallel to the end surfaces  58 ,  62  for receiving fasteners that would be driven into the playstation  10  in a generally horizontal direction. In another alternative construction, the four recessed portions  74  could be eliminated and each end  42 ,  46  could include a thin lip extending substantially perpendicularly from the end surfaces  58 ,  62 . The lip could rest upon the mounting member  82  or platform  18  and receive fasteners that would be driven in a generally vertical direction. Additionally, as mentioned above, the end portions  42 ,  46  could be separable from the body  38 . If this were the case, one of the ends  42 ,  46  could include the four recessed portions  74  (or a substitute arrangement) and the other of the ends  42 ,  46  could include the recessed portion  86  (or a substitute arrangement). Once it was determined which orientation was to be used for the arched climbing panel  30 , the appropriate end portion  42 ,  46  could be attached to the appropriate end of the body  38  to enable mounting to the playstation  10 . 
     As best illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  6 - 9 , the body  38  of the arched climbing panel  30  includes a plurality of apertures  98  configured to receive the hands (see  FIG. 9 ) or feet (see  FIG. 8 ) of the user  54  climbing on the arched climbing panel  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of apertures extend entirely through the body  38 . However, in other embodiments, some or all of the apertures  98  could alternatively take the form of recesses that do not extend entirely through the body  38 . 
     To facilitate grasping the arched climbing panel  30  while climbing, at least one of the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70  includes raised grip or ridge portions  102  extending around at least a portion of the perimeter of at least one of the plurality of apertures  98 . In the illustrated embodiment, there is a raised ridge portion  102  formed around the perimeter of each aperture  98  on both of the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the perimeters of the apertures  98  are defined by sidewalls  106  extending between the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 . At least some of the sidewalls  106  (e.g., especially those in the apertures  98  closer to the first and second end portions  42 ,  46 ) have portions that extend in a non-perpendicular manner between the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 8  illustrating the lower portion of the arched climbing panel  30 , reference line  110  is shown to represent a line extending substantially perpendicularly between the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 . The portion of the sidewall  106  directly below the reference line  110  is clearly not parallel with the reference line  110 , thereby illustrating the substantially non-perpendicular manner in which that portion of the sidewall  106  extends between the oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70 . 
     These non-perpendicularly-extending sidewall portions facilitate the user  54  in climbing the arched climbing panel  30 . As seen in  FIG. 8  illustrating the lower portion of the arched climbing panel  30 , the user&#39;s foot will be supported at an angle to provide a good forward-leaning position. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9  illustrating the upper portion of the arched climbing panel  30 , when the user&#39;s hand is extended upwardly to grasp through the apertures  98 , the user  54  can comfortably reach and grasp the raised ridge portion  102  without excessive wrist over-extension. As can be seen from the sidewalls  106  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the advantageous angling of the sidewalls  106  will be present when the arched climbing panel  30  is in both the first and second orientations, again contributing to the reversibility of the arched climbing panel  30 . Furthermore, the non-perpendicularly-extending sidewalls  106  that exist in the apertures  98  adjacent the end portions  42 ,  46  are advantageous to the molding process by creating draft angles that facilitate releasing of the arched climbing panel  30  from the mold. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 , the first and second oppositely-facing surfaces  66  and  70  each include a raised lip  114  that defines a perimeter in which the apertures  98  are located. The raised lips  114  can provide additional grasping features along the edges of the arched climbing panel  30 . Additionally the raised lips  114  provide transitions between body  38  and the end portions  42 ,  46 . 
     To provide a more realistic, natural climbing experience, the portion of the surface  66  within the raised lip  114  is textured. Additionally, the apertures  98  are irregularly shaped and spaced, and differ in size. Another feature incorporated into the design of the apertures  98  is the design of the two apertures  98  most closely adjacent each of the end portions  42  and  46 . Specifically, these sets of apertures  98  are designed to be spaced generally the same distance from the respective end surfaces  58  and  62  such that the arched climbing panel  30  can be hung in a generally upright position from two spaced support bars. This is particularly useful for storing and displaying the arched climbing panels  30  in retail stores. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the arched climbing panel  30  also includes molded-in strengthening cavities  118  formed in the surface  70 . The cavities  118  vary in size and configuration and provide added strength and rigidity to the arched climbing panel  30 . 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.