Abstract:
A bracket configured to connect two frame members. The bracket comprises of a first side and a second side. The first side includes a first alignment member to align a first frame member with respect to the bracket and the second side includes a second alignment member to align a second frame member with respect to the bracket. The bracket is suited for use in assembling children&#39;s playstations.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to brackets for interconnecting frame members, and more particularly to brackets for interconnecting frame members of a playstation.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is common for playstations to be supplied to the user unassembled. The playstation may include hardware, frame members, and brackets requiring assembly. It is known to provide the brackets for interconnecting the frame members, typically wood boards. The brackets often include pre-drilled holes to receive a fastener that secures the bracket to the board. Other frame members are then secured to the bracket for interconnecting frame members.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The present invention provides a bracket for interconnecting frame members of a playstation. More specifically, the frame members can be used to form playstation sub-assemblies that support components, such as climbing bars, climbing walls or ladders. Typically, two different brackets are required to assemble the frame members of these sub-assemblies. One bracket is required for the left side of the sub-assembly and another bracket is required for the right side. The brackets are not interchangeable and assembly can be confusing for the user. Furthermore, two different brackets must be manufactured, thus increasing the cost of the playstation. The present invention cures these deficiencies by providing a single bracket that can be used for either the left or right side of playstation sub-assemblies. The bracket includes alignment features on oppositely facing sides of the bracket to assist the user with assembly.  
         [0004]     In one embodiment, the invention provides a bracket configured to connect two frame members. The bracket comprises of a first side and a second side. A first alignment member on the first side is configured to align a first frame member with respect to the bracket. A second alignment member on the second side is configured to align a second frame member with respect to the bracket.  
         [0005]     In another embodiment the invention provides a playstation comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, and a bracket. The bracket includes a first side and a second side. A first alignment member on the first side is configured to align the first frame member with respect to the bracket. A second alignment member on the second side is configured to align the second frame member with respect to the bracket.  
         [0006]     In yet another embodiment the invention provides a playstation comprising four frame members and two substantially identical brackets. The four frame members define a frame sub-assembly. A first alignment member on a first side of a first bracket is configured to align a first frame member with respect to the first bracket. A second alignment member on a second side of the first bracket is configured to align a second frame member with respect to the first bracket. A first alignment member on a first side of a second bracket is configured to align a third frame member with respect to the second bracket. A second alignment member on a second side of the second bracket is configured to align a fourth frame member with respect to the second bracket.  
         [0007]     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a playstation including a bracket embodying the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view showing a frame sub-assembly of the playstation of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bracket embodying the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a left side of the frame sub-assembly showing the frame members exploded from the bracket.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partially assembled view of the left side showing the frame members aligned with the bracket and the fasteners exploded.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is an end view of a right side of the frame sub-assembly showing the frame members exploded from the bracket. 
     
    
       [0014]     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be 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,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a playstation  10  for use by children for recreational play. The playstation  10  includes a plurality of uprights or legs  12  that support an elevated support structure or platform  14  above a lower support surface, such as the ground. A beam  16  can be coupled to one of the legs  12  to support playstation accessories, such as, a two-person swing ride  18 , a swing  20 , or rings  22 . Furthermore, the playstation  10  may include additional accessories, such as a slide  24 , a steering wheel  26 , a viewing device  28 , a vertical climbing wall  30  and a sandbox seat  31 .  
         [0016]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the playstation  10  may also include components, such as monkey bars  32  and a rock climbing wall  34 . These components are typically coupled to a frame sub-assembly  36 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of the frame sub-assembly  36  which includes the rock climbing wall  34  and the monkey bars  32 . Of course other components, such as ladder rungs, rings, and other climbing components could be supported by the frame sub-assembly  36 . The frame sub-assembly  36  includes four interconnected frame members  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  that are aligned and interconnected using brackets  46 ,  48  and fasteners  50 ,  52 . The frame members  38 ,  40  together define a left side  54  of the frame sub-assembly  36  and frame members  42 ,  44  together define a right side  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36 . The rock climbing wall  34  and the monkey bars  32  extend between the left and right sides  54 ,  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36 . Although the illustrated frame sub-assembly  36  includes four frame members  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  interconnected using two brackets  46 ,  48 , the frame sub-assembly  36  may include any number of frame members and brackets. Furthermore, the illustrated frame members  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44  are standard  2  x  4  wood boards, however, any suitable material, such as, steel, aluminum or plastic, in any suitable dimensions, can be used.  
         [0017]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the frame sub-assembly  36  includes two substantially identical brackets  46 ,  48 . The first bracket  46  is configured to connect the frame members  38 ,  40  to form the left side  54  of the frame sub-assembly  36 . The second bracket  48  is configured to connect the frame members  42 ,  44  to form the right side  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36 . The illustrated brackets  46 ,  48  are configured to connect two frame members, however, it should be understood that the brackets  46 ,  48  can also connect more than two frame members.  
         [0018]     In view of the fact that the brackets  46 ,  48  are substantially identically, only one bracket, will be described in detail below. It should be understood that the brackets  46 ,  48  will each include the following described features and are interchangeable.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bracket  46  is generally planar and triangular in shape and includes oppositely facing sides  58 ,  60 . The bracket  46  also includes two series of circular apertures  62 ,  64  extending therethrough, the purpose of which will be discussed below. It should be understood that apertures of any shape or size can be used. The bracket  46  is generally thin in cross section and can be formed from any suitable material, such as, steel, aluminum or plastic.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the first side  58  of the bracket  46  includes alignment members  68 ,  70 . The first alignment member  68  defines a first axis  72  and the second alignment member  70  defines a second axis  74 . The illustrated axes  72 ,  74  extend through the center of the planar portion of the bracket  46  and intersect to define an alignment angle α therebetween, the purpose of which will be discussed below. The illustrated alignment members  68 ,  70  are protrusions that extend outwardly from the first side  58  and that are formed by stamping the bracket  46 . The alignment members  68 ,  70  are generally parallel with respective edges of the bracket  46  and are generally elongated when compared to alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  (discussed below) on the second side  60  of the bracket  46 . The illustrated alignment members  68 ,  70  take one form of protrusion, however, other forms of projections or protrusions are also contemplated. For example, the alignment members  68 ,  70  could alternatively be formed from punched tabs or flaps extending outwardly from the first side  58 , or could be separate members coupled to the first side  58  of the bracket  46 . While the illustrated alignment members  68 ,  70  are illustrated as being protrusions, it should be understood that the alignment members  68 ,  70  can take other forms such as marked or embossed lines, other markings or apertures. Furthermore, although the first side  58  of the illustrated bracket  46  includes two alignment members  68 ,  70 , any number of alignment members can be used.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second side  60  of the bracket  46  includes three alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80 . The third alignment member  76  is generally co-axial with the second axis  74  and the fourth alignment member  78  is generally co-axial with the first axis  72  (see  FIG. 3 ). The fifth alignment member  80  includes a portion that is generally co-axial with the first axis  72  and a portion that is generally co-axial with the second axis  74 . In other words, the fifth alignment member  80  is positioned at an intersection of the axes  72 ,  74 . The illustrated alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  of the second side  60  are protrusions that extend outwardly from the second side  60  and that are formed by stamping the bracket  46 . Similar to the alignment members  68 ,  70 , the alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  are generally parallel with respective edges of the bracket  46 . The illustrated alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  take one form of protrusion, however, other forms of projections or protrusions are also contemplated. For example, the alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  could alternatively be formed from punched tabs or flaps extending outwardly from the second side  60 , or could be separate members coupled to the second side  60  of the bracket  46 . While the illustrated alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  are illustrated as being protrusions, it should be understood that the alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80  can take other forms such as marked or embossed lines, other markings or apertures. Furthermore, although the second side  60  of the illustrated bracket  46  includes three alignment members  76 ,  78 ,  80 , any number of alignment members can be used.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the bracket  46  is configured to connect and align the first frame member  38  with the second frame member  40 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the first bracket  46  configured to connect the first and second frame members  38 ,  40  to form the left side  54  of the frame sub-assembly  36 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , to connect and align the first frame member  38  to the second frame member  40  the bracket  46  is placed upon a face  82  of the first frame member  38  such that the second alignment member  70  on the first side  58  of the bracket  46  abuts and aligns the edge of the first frame member  38 . The bracket  46  is coupled to the first frame member  38  using fasteners  50  positioned through the apertures  62 . The fasteners  50  are preferably screws, but may include any suitable fastener, such as nails. A fastener, such as a screw or nail, which can quickly and easily couple the bracket  46  to the frame member  38 , is preferred. Next, with the bracket  46  in the desired position, holes  86  can be drilled through the first frame member  38  using the apertures  64  as guides (see  FIG. 5 ). As will be discussed below, after the second frame member  40  is aligned and coupled to the bracket  46 , more substantial fasteners, such as bolts  52 , can be placed through the holes  86  to couple the bracket  46  to the frame member  38 .  
         [0024]     Next, the second frame member  40  is placed on the second side  60  of the bracket  46  such that the third and fifth alignment members  76 ,  80  abut and align an edge of the second frame member  40 . The frame members  38 ,  40  are now aligned at a frame angle β substantially equal to the alignment angle α The bracket  46  is coupled to the second frame member  40  using the fasteners  50  in substantially the same method described above to couple the frame member  38  to the bracket  46 . The frame angle β and the alignment angle α are between about 90 degrees and 110 degrees. It should be understood that other angles could be chosen and the alignment members  68 ,  70 ,  76 ,  78  and  80  re-orientated accordingly.  
         [0025]     Next, with the bracket  46  in the desired position, holes  86  can be drilled through the second frame member  40  using the apertures  64  and one hole  86  in the first frame member  38  as guides (see  FIG. 5 ). Fasteners  52  can then be placed through the apertures  64  and the holes  86  to couple the bracket  46  to the frame members  38 ,  40 . The fasteners  52  are preferably a bolt and nut combination, but may include any suitable fastener.  
         [0026]     The frame members  38 ,  40  are now coupled and aligned to form the left side  54  of the frame sub-assembly  36 .  FIG. 2  illustrates that the second bracket  48  can be used to interconnect and align the third and fourth frame members  42 ,  44  to create the right side  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36 . The right side  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36  can be assembled using nearly the same method described above to assemble the first and second frame member  38 ,  40  to form the left side  54 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , to form the right side  56  of the frame sub-assembly  36  the third frame member  42  is placed on the second side  60  of the second bracket  48 . An edge of the third frame member  42  is then positioned to abut and align with the fourth and fifth alignment members  78 ,  80 . The third frame member  42  is then coupled to the second bracket  48  using the fasteners  50  and the holes  86  are drilled, as described above.  
         [0028]     Next, the fourth frame member  44  is positioned against the first side  58  of the second bracket  48  such that an edge of the fourth frame member  44  abuts and aligns with the first alignment member  68 . The frame members  42 ,  44  are now aligned relative to each other at an angle substantially equal to the alignment angle β and the frame angle β of the left side  54  (see  FIG. 5 ). Referring to  FIG. 2 , the fourth frame member  44  can then be coupled to the bracket  48  using the fasteners  50 . After the holes  86  are drilled in the fourth frame member  44 , the frame members  42 ,  44  can be coupled to the bracket  48  using the fasteners  52 , as described above for the left side  54 .  
         [0029]     Next, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the frame members  42 ,  44 , which are connected and aligned by the second bracket  48  to form the right side  56 , can be interconnected to the left side  54 . The monkey bars  32  and the rock climbing wall  34  are positioned to extend between and interconnect the left side  54  to the right side  56  to form the frame sub-assembly  36 . The frame sub-assembly  36  can then be coupled to the playstation  10 . It should be understood that the frame sub-assembly  36  of the playstation  10  is just one application for the brackets  46 ,  48 . The brackets  46 ,  48  can also be used to align and interconnect other frame members of the playstation  10 .  
         [0030]     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a single bracket designed for intuitively aligning and interconnecting both left side and right side frame members that are assembled in mirror relation to one another. The unique configuration and orientation of the alignment members  68 ,  70 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  facilitates assembly for both the left side and the right side of a frame sub-assembly. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.