Abstract:
The invention provides a playstation that is configured to be stronger, less expensive to manufacture, and easier to assemble. The playstation includes a Y-shaped support that has a top section, a lower left section and a lower right section. The playstation also includes a cross-beam having a first cross-beam secured to the left side of the top section on the Y-shaped support and a second cross-beam secured to the right side of the top section on the Y-shaped support. The playstation further includes a left leg secured to the lower left section of the Y-shaped support and a right leg secured to the lower right section of the Y-shaped support. Using the Y-shaped support of the present invention allows the playstation to be readily assembled. The assembled playstation also provides a solid support structure for securing one or more children&#39;s accessories to the playstation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/289,042 which was filed Apr. 9, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,654. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a playstation, and particularly, to a playstation that is configured to be stronger, less expensive to manufacture, and easier to assemble. 
     Playstations are typically used as a framework onto which various children&#39;s play accessories (e.g., swings, slides, climbing towers, etc.) are secured. The children&#39;s accessories are attached to the playstations in any number of configurations. 
     Playstations are commonly sold to consumers as a conglomeration of unassembled parts in order to facilitate shipping and handling of the playstation. As a result, the playstation is assembled by the ultimate user at the desired location. The number, size, and complexity of the parts makes assembling conventional playstations extremely cumbersome. 
     Typical playstations include one or more horizontal cross-beams that are supported by one or more support structures. The cross-beams are usually either metal (e.g., tubular metal) or wood (e.g., a single 4×4 beam or 2 parallel 2×6 timbers). The support structures include one or more brackets fastened to supports, or legs (commonly in an A-frame configuration). 
     One of the problems associated with conventional brackets is that they have elaborate configurations making them costly to manufacture. Another problem with conventional brackets is that the elaborate configurations add to the difficulty associated with assembling the playstations. The brackets are typically difficult to align due to the lack of any structural formations on the brackets that can be used to align the brackets relative to the other components that make up the playstation. Several conventional brackets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,190,283 and 5,364,312. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the invention provides a playstation that is configured to be stronger, less expensive to manufacture, and easier to assemble. The playstation includes a Y-shaped support that has a top section, a lower left section, and a lower right section. The playstation also includes a first cross-beam secured to the left side of the top section on the Y-shaped support and a second cross-beam secured to the right side of the top section on the Y-shaped support. The playstation further includes a left leg secured to the lower left section of the Y-shaped support and a right leg secured to the lower right section of the Y-shaped support. 
     Using the Y-shaped support of the present invention allows the playstation to be readily assembled. The assembled playstation also provides a solid support structure for securing one or more children&#39;s accessories to the playstation. 
     The Y-shaped support is preferably secured to one end of the first and second cross-beams while a support structure (which could include another Y-shaped support) is secured to the opposite end of the cross-beams, although the Y-shaped support could be secured to any point along either cross-beam. 
     The Y-shaped support is preferably assembled from a left bracket and a right bracket where each of the brackets includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions of the left and right brackets are secured together to form the top section of the Y-shaped support such that the lower portion of the left bracket becomes the lower left section of the Y-shaped support and the lower portion of the right bracket becomes the lower right section of the Y-shaped support. A plurality of conventional fasteners connect the upper portions of the brackets together, although the brackets can be connected together by a single fastener. 
     The left and right brackets preferably include one or more pairs of axially aligned openings where one of the openings is larger than the other opening. Fasteners extends through each pair of openings in order to secure the bracket that has the smaller opening to one of the cross-beams. The heads of the fasteners fit within the larger openings of the other bracket. Recessing the heads of the fasteners within the larger openings in the other bracket allows the unsecured cross-beam to be placed flush against the other bracket. Once properly positioned against the other bracket, the unsecured cross-beam is connected to the already secured cross-beam by the use of fasteners or some other means commonly known in the art. 
     In another form of the invention, the first and second cross-beams are positioned against the top section of the Y-shaped support such that the first and second cross-beams are substantially parallel. The first and second cross-beams are aligned relative to one another and the Y-shaped support by positioning the cross-beams against the fasteners that are used to secure the left and right brackets of the Y-shaped support together. 
     In yet another form of the invention, the Y-shaped support includes one or more embosses that protrude from the surface of the Y-shaped support. The embosses are positioned to provide alignment for mounting the cross-beams and/or the legs to the Y-shaped support by providing a surface that abuts the leg and/or cross-beam when either of these articles is mounted to the Y-shaped support. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a playstation that includes an angled bracket, a first cross-beam and a second cross-beam. The angled bracket includes an upper section and a lower section extending downward from the upper section. The upper section of the angled bracket is secured between the first and second cross-beams. The playstation further includes a leg that is secured to the lower section of the angled bracket and a support structure that is secured to the first cross-beam, the second cross-beam and the upper section of the angled bracket. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the support structure is a tower that includes a landing for supporting a child. The tower is secured to the first cross-beam, the second cross-beam and the upper section of the angled bracket at a position above the landing on the tower. 
     A principal advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that is easily assembled. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that includes parts which are easy to fabricate. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that is sturdy enough to act as a support structure for one or more children&#39;s play accessories. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following drawings, detail description and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a playstation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of one form of the Y-shaped support that is used in the playstation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the top of the playstation of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of an upper section of the playstation of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred form of a left and right bracket that could be used to form the Y-shaped support. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a partially assembled playstation. 
     FIG. 7 is a section view of a portion of the partially assembled playstation of FIG. 6 taken along line  7 — 7 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another form of the playstation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a partially-sectioned end view showing a portion of the playstation illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the front of the showing the portion of the playstation illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below the playstation showing the portion of the playstation illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the prior art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are intended to explain the best modes for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and the disclosed or other embodiments, and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A playstation  10  of the present invention is shown in FIG.  1 . The playstation  10  includes a Y-shaped support  20  secured between a first cross-beam  30  and a second cross-beam  32 . The first cross-beam  30  and the second cross-beam  32  are secured together using fasteners  34 . The playstation  10  further includes left legs  40  and right legs  42  that are connected to respective Y-shaped supports  20 . The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 includes center supports  44  extending between the left legs  40  and the right legs  42  to provide further support to the playstation  10 . While in FIG. 1, Y-shaped support  20  is mounted on each end of the first cross-beam  30  and the second cross-beam  32 , it should be understood that a single Y-shaped support  20  can be mounted anywhere along the length of the first cross-beam  30  or the second cross-beam  32 . In such a situation (not shown), the free end of the cross-beam is connected to other suitable support structure(s). 
     One form of the Y-shaped support  20  that is used in the playstation  10  is shown in FIG.  2 . The Y-shaped support  20  includes a top section  22 , a lower left section  24  and a lower right section  26 . The first cross-beam  30  is positioned against one side of the top section  22  and the second cross-beam  32  is positioned against the opposite side of the top section  22 . The left leg  40  is secured to the lower left section  24  using fasteners  25  and the right leg  42  is secured to the lower right section  26  using fasteners  27 . 
     FIGS. 3-6 illustrates another form of the Y-shaped support  20  wherein the Y-shaped support  20  includes a left bracket  41  and a right bracket  43 . The left bracket  41  includes an upper portion  50  and a lower portion  52 , while the right bracket  43  includes an upper portion  51  and a lower portion  53 . The upper portion  50  of the left bracket  41  is secured to the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43  to form the top section  22  of the Y-shaped support  20  (See FIG.  3 ). Except where noted specifically below, the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43  are mirror images of one another, and accordingly, only the left bracket  41  will be described in detail. 
     As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left bracket  41  includes an emboss  60  that serves to align the left leg  40  of the playstation  10  during assembly. The emboss  60  includes an abutment surface  61  that is positioned against the left leg  40  when the left leg  40  is assembled to the left bracket  41 . 
     The left bracket  41  also includes an emboss  62  located on the upper portion  50  (see FIG.  4 ). The emboss  62  serves to align the first cross-beam  30  of the playstation  10  during assembly. The emboss  62  includes an abutment surface  63  that is positioned against the first cross-beam  30  when the first cross-beam  30  is assembled to either the Y-shaped support  20  or the second cross-beam  32 . 
     The left bracket  41  also includes an emboss pattern  70  that extends up from the inner surface of the lower portion  52 . The emboss pattern  70  includes openings  71  therein such that the fasteners  25  extend through the openings  71  into the left leg  40  in order to secure the lower portion  52  to the left leg  40 . 
     The upper portion  50  of the left bracket  41  and the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43  are fastened together by extending fasteners  75  through identically matching openings  76  in the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43 . Once the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43  are secured together, the fasteners  75  serve as an abutment surface for the first cross-beam  30  and/or the second cross-beam  32  when they are assembled as part of the playstation  10  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     The left bracket  41  also includes webs  100  extending between the upper portion  50  and the lower portion  52  (see FIGS.  4 - 6 ). The webs  100  are designed to provide stability to the Y-shaped support  20 . 
     The upper portion  50  of the left bracket  41  includes nipples  80  that extend outward from the inner surface of the upper portion  50  (see FIG.  4 ). The nipples  80  are designed to fit within openings  81  in the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43  so that the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43  are properly aligned before being fastened together. The location of the nipples  80  and the openings  81  could be reversed with respect to the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43 . 
     Once the left bracket  41  and the right bracket  43  are assembled together, the Y-shaped support  20  is attached to either the first cross-beam  30  or the second cross-beam  32 . The process for assembling the Y-shaped support  20  to the cross-beam  32  is shown in FIGS. 5-7. The Y-shaped support  20  is secured to the first cross-beam  32  by extending fasteners  94  through the openings  90  in the left bracket  41  and openings  91  in the right bracket  43 . The openings  90  are axially aligned with, and larger than, the openings  91  such that the heads of the fasteners fit within the larger openings  90 . Recessing the heads of the fasteners  94  allows the first cross-beam  30  to be placed flush against the upper portion  50  of the left bracket  41  in order to assemble the first cross-beam  30  to the second cross-beam  32 . 
     Alternatively, the first cross-beam  30  may be initially secured to the Y-shaped support instead of the second cross-beam  32 . In this case, the fasteners  95  extend through openings  93  in the right bracket  43  and openings  92  in the left bracket  41  (shown only in FIGS.  5  and  6 ). The openings  93  in the right bracket  43  are axially aligned with, and larger than, the openings  92  in the left bracket  41  such that the heads of the fasteners  95  are recessed into the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43 . Recessing the heads of the fasteners in the right bracket  43  allows the second cross beam  32  to be placed flush against the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43  in order to assemble the second cross-beam  32  to the first cross-beam  30 . The first cross-beam  30  and the second cross-beam  32  are secured to each other and the Y-shaped support  20  by using fasteners  34  which extend through axially aligned openings  99  in the upper portion  50  of the left bracket  51  and the upper portion  51  of the right bracket  43 . 
     Another form of the playstation  10  is illustrated in FIG.  8 . In this form, the playstation  10  is partially secured at one end to a tower  60 . The tower  60  includes a roof  61  and a landing  62 . The tower  60  is adapted so that a child (not shown) is able to stand under the roof  61  on the landing  62 . The tower  60  includes one or more vertical support structures  63  and one of the vertical support structures  63  is secured to the playstation  10 . 
     Referring now also to FIGS. 9-11, the support structure  63  is coupled to the first cross-beam  30 , the second cross-beam  32  and an angled bracket  70  by a bolt and nut combination  71 . The support structure  63  is preferably coupled to the playstation  10  in a position above the landing  62 . 
     The angled bracket  70  preferably has a configuration similar to either the left bracket  51  or the right bracket  43  as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. The angled bracket  70  includes an upper section  72  coupled between the first and second cross-beams  30 ,  32  and a lower section  73 . The lower section  73  extends laterally and downwardly relative to the upper section  72  such that there is an angle (preferably ranging anywhere from 90° to 180°) between the upper section  72  and the lower section  73 . 
     The first and second cross-beams  30 ,  32  and the angled bracket  70  are additionally secured to one another using fasteners  74 . The first and second cross-beams  30 ,  32  are aligned relative to the angled bracket  70  by positioning the cross-beams  30 ,  32  against an emboss  75  (see FIG. 9) on the upper section  72  of the angled bracket  70 . The cross-beams  30 , 32  are further aligned relative to the angled bracket  70  by positioning the cross-beams  30 , 32  against a plurality of embosses  76  (see FIG. 10) that extend between the upper section  72  and the lower section  73  of the angled bracket  70 . In a preferred form, the cross beams  30 ,  32  include openings (not shown in FIGS.8-11) similar to the openings  76  in the left bracket  51  or the right bracket  43  as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. A bolt and nut combination, or a pin, is inserted into the openings in order further align the cross-beams  30 ,  32  relative to the angled bracket  70 . 
     The angled bracket  70  is also coupled to a leg  77  that extends laterally and downwardly from the first and second cross-beams  30 ,  32 . In a preferred form, a center support  78  extends between the vertical support structure  63  on the tower  60  and the leg  77 . The leg  77  is preferably aligned relative to the angled bracket  70  by placing the leg  77  against an emboss  79  (see FIG. 10) positioned on the outside surface of the angled bracket  70 . In addition, the end of the leg  77  is positioned against the emboss  75  on the upper section  72  of the angled bracket  70  in order to align the end of the leg  77 . The leg  77  is secured to the angled bracket  70  using fasteners  80 . The angled bracket  70  preferably includes an emboss  81  that is adapted to receive the heads of the fasteners  80  therein. 
     Although the angled bracket  70  is shown as being positioned between the ends of the first and second cross-beams  30 ,  32 , it should be understood that the angled bracket  70  and the tower  60  can be placed anywhere along the length of the cross-beams  30 ,  32  without departing from the scope of the present invention. The form of the playstation  10  illustrated in FIG. 8 has been shown for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
     Various features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.