# US 10,369,481 B2 · Inclusive play panels and playground structures comprising the panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,481 B2 - Document ID: US10369481B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/691,212 - Filed: 2017-08-30 - Published: 2018-04-05 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-05 - Assignees: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. - Applicants: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc. - Inventors: Jennie Newman Sumrell; Lisa Moore; Samuel Grady Smith; Thomas Robert Norquist - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369481B2 ## CPC - A63G 31/00: Amusement arrangements - A63B 9/00: Climbing poles, frames, or stages {(climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04)} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 71/0009: {for handicapped persons} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63G 21/00: Chutes; Helter-skelters - A63G 21/10: with spiral tracks - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - A63B 2009/006: {Playground structures} - A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music} - A63B 2071/0655: {Tactile feedback} - A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children - A63B 2220/801: Contact switches - A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors - A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63G: MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to play panels, and playground structures comprising such panels, that provide an interactive play activity for children. The play panels comprise at least a surface that is configured to provide an interactive element, a control unit, and a connection element configured to communicatively link an adaptive switch. A child may interact directly with one or more elements on the surface of the play panel to actuate the play activity. A child having a disability may also actuate the play activity using an adaptive switch that is communicatively connected to the play panel. In some embodiments, the control unit may be configured to operate the play activity differently depending on whether it is actuated by elements on the surface of the play panel or a connected adaptive switch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inclusive-play playground assembly comprising: a playground structure comprising one or more interactive play panels, at least one of the one or more play panels comprising: a surface comprising one or more interactive elements; a control unit configured to operate a play activity; and a connection element configured for communicatively linking an adaptive switch with the control unit; wherein the control unit may be actuated to operate a play activity by: (a) the one or more interactive elements on the surface of the play panel, and (b) an adaptive switch that is communicatively linked with the control unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate in a first mode when actuated by the one or more interactive elements on the surface of the play panel, and the control unit is configured to operate in a second mode when actuated by an adaptive switch that is communicatively linked with the control unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The playground assembly of claim 2, wherein the play activity when operated in the second mode differs from the play activity when operated in the first mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The playground assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured so that operation in the first mode is at least temporarily unavailable during operation in the second mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The playground assembly of claim 4, wherein the control unit limits the play activity to operation in the second mode when an adaptive switch is communicatively linked with the control unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, wherein the interactive elements comprise one or more sensors that detect a child's touch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection element is an adaptive switch port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The playground assembly of claim 7, wherein the adaptive switch port is located on the surface comprising one or more interactive elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection element is a wireless communication device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, the play panel further comprising one or more speakers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The playground assembly of claim 10, wherein activating the adaptive switch causes a song or a portion of a song to play over the one or more speakers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The playground assembly of claim 11, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of sensors that detect a child's touch and each of the plurality of sensors may be touched to play a musical note or a series of musical notes over the one or more speakers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The playground assembly of claim 10, wherein activating the adaptive switch causes one or more sounds to issue from the one or more speakers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, the play panel further comprising one or more lights on the surface comprising one or more interactive elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The playground assembly of claim 14, wherein activation of the adaptive switch causes one or more of the lights to be illuminated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more motors that physically manipulate one or more interactive elements on the surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The playground assembly of claim 16, wherein activating the adaptive switch actuates the one or more motors. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, the play panel further comprising a video screen on the surface comprising one or more interactive elements. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The playground assembly of claim 18, wherein activating the adaptive switch causes content to be shown on the video screen, changes the content shown on the video screen, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The playground assembly of claim 1, wherein the playground structure is a climber unit, a walkway, a ramp, or a bridge.