Patent ID: 7316237

Claim:
A children's play structure, comprising: a plurality of columns, each of the plurality of columns having a first end fixed in a footing and a second end opposite of the first end and extending upwardly; a deck having an outer perimeter, the deck being supported above the footing of each of the plurality of columns, the second end of at least a plurality of the plurality of columns extending above the deck to a second end height; a plurality of play components supported by the deck, one of the plurality of columns or both of the deck and one of the plurality of columns, and each of the plurality of play components extending outwardly from the outer perimeter of the deck and to the ground, defining a periphery of the plurality of play components; and a canopy support structure, comprising: a plurality of cantilevered hip beams, each of the plurality of cantilevered hip beams comprising a cantilevered end member joined to a hip beam member by a transition fitting member, the transition fitting member being coupled to one of the second ends of the plurality of columns extending above the deck, such that the cantilevered end member extends outwardly from the outer perimeter of the deck in a downward angle to a horizontal plane, and the hip beam member extends inwardly from the outer perimeter of the deck in an upward angle to the horizontal plane, each of the plurality of cantilevered hip beams being coupled one to the other by a coupling member such that a canopy support structure is formed; a fabric canopy having a peripheral edge, the fabric canopy being retained on the canopy support structure using a cable and at least one tensioning device joining one end of the cable to another end of the cable such that the tensioning device adjustably applies tension to the cable; wherein the peripheral edge of the fabric canopy extends outwardly at least to a distance above the periphery of the plurality of play components and the peripheral edge of the fabric canopy does not extend downwardly below the second end height of the plurality of columns extending above the deck.