# US 2014/0155184 A1 · Play systems having multiple curved structural members

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- Number: US 2014/0155184 A1
- Document ID: US20140155184A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/917,707
- Filed: 2013-06-14
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2006-07-14
- Assignees: Landscape Structures Inc.
- Inventors: Steve King; Tom Keller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155184A1

## CPC

- A63B 9/00: Climbing poles, frames, or stages {(climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04)}
- A63B 17/00: Exercising apparatus combining several parts such as ladders, rods, beams, slides
- A63B 2009/002: {Flat climbing nets}
- A63B 2009/004: {Three-dimensional rope or cable networks}
- A63G 21/00: Chutes; Helter-skelters
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A63G: MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT

## Abstract

Embodiments of play systems having multiple curved structural members are disclosed. Play systems illustratively include a first quarter of an ellipse, a second quarter of an ellipse, a third quarter of an ellipse, and a fourth quarter of an ellipse. Each ellipse quarter has first and second ends. The first, the second, the third, and the fourth ellipse quarters are oriented approximately vertically relative to a surface such that the first ends of the ellipse quarters contact the surface and the second ends of the ellipse quarters are above the surface. The first ends of the ellipse quarters are optionally spaced further apart from each other than the second ends of the ellipse quarters.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A play system comprising:
a first overhang having a first end and a second end;
a second overhang having a first end and a second end;
a third overhang having a first end and a second end;
a fourth overhang having a first end and a second end, wherein the first, the second, the third, and the fourth overhangs are approximately vertically oriented relative to a surface such that the first ends of the overhangs contact the surface and the second ends of the overhangs are above the surface;
a first play element having a first arch component and a second arch component, each of the first and the second arch components including a first end, a second end, and a rigid stationary member that extends between its first and second ends, the first end of the first arch component being connected to the first overhang, the first end of the second arch component being connected to the second overhang, the second ends of the first and the second arch components being supported by connections to the surface, the first play element further having crossbars that extend between the rigid stationary members of the first and the second arch components; and
a second play element having a plurality of climbing rings that are supported by the third overhang and by the fourth overhang.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The play system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the overhangs are located entirely within one plane, and wherein the crossbars of the first play element comprise sinusoidal-like crossbars.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The play system of claim 1, wherein the first and the second overhangs are located within a first plane, wherein the third and the fourth overhangs are located within a second plane, and wherein the play system further comprises:
a third play element having a plurality of rounded platform assemblies that are suspended vertically by connections to at least some of the overhangs.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The play system of claim 3, wherein the first and the second planes are approximately perpendicular to the surface, and wherein the play system further comprises a plurality of posts that are supported through connections to the surface, each of the posts including a stepping surface that surrounds an outer surface of the associated post.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The play system of claim 4, wherein at least two of the second ends are connected together, and wherein the play system further comprises:
a fourth play element having a support bar that suspends a net and that is supported by connections to at least two of the overhangs.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The play system of claim 5, and further comprising:
a fifth play element having a rounded bench portion that is supported by a spring assembly that enables the rounded bench portion to move in an oscillating manner.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The play system of claim 1, wherein each of the overhangs has a different height.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The play system of claim 5, wherein at least two of the play elements are connected to the surface utilizing underground turnbuckle assemblies.

### Claim 9

A play system comprising:
a first overhang structural member having first and second ends, the first overhang structural member being made of steel;
a second overhang structural member having first and second ends, the second overhang structural member being made of steel;
a third overhang structural member having first and second ends, the third overhang structural member being made of steel, wherein at least two of the three first ends are connected, wherein the three second ends are located on an imaginary circle that is perpendicular to each of the first, the second, and the third overhang structural members, wherein the three second ends are spaced apart from each other by at least six feet; and
a first play element that is directly connected to the first overhang structural member at a first connection point and that is directly connected to the second overhang structural member at a second connection point, wherein the first and the second connection points are at an angle other than perpendicular with respect to a surface of the imaginary circle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The play system of claim 9, and further comprising:
a fourth overhang structural member having first and second ends, the fourth structural member being made of steel; and
wherein the first, the second, the third, and the fourth overhang structural members comprise at least two different heights.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The play system of claim 9, and further comprising:
a second play element having a plurality of rounded platforms that provide horizontal stepping surfaces and that are supported by vertical support elements.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The play system of claim 9 and further comprising:
a post; and
a second play element that comprises a net and that is supported at least in part by the post and by the third overhang structural member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The play system of claim 9 and further comprising:
a second play element that comprises a platform supported by a spring; and
a third play element that comprises a plurality of suspended rings that are supported by at least two of the overhang structural members.

### Claim 14

A play system comprising:
a first structural member having a bottom end configured to be secured to a surface, a top end positioned away from the surface, and an overhang middle portion connecting the bottom end to the top end;
a second structural member having a bottom end configured to be secured to the surface, a top end positioned away from the surface, and an overhang middle portion connecting the bottom end to the top end;
a third structural member having a bottom end configured to be secured to the surface, a top end positioned away from the surface, and an overhang middle portion connecting the bottom end to the top end; and
a fourth structural member having a bottom end configured to be secured to the surface, a top end positioned away from the surface, and an overhang middle portion connecting the bottom end to the top tend, wherein the first and the second structural members have a first height, wherein the third and the fourth structural members have a second height, the first height being different than the second height.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The play system of claim 14, and further comprising a play element that comprises a support platform and a spring, the play element being supported by one of the structural members.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The play system of claim 14, wherein each of the structural members is vertically oriented relative to the surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The play system of claim 14, wherein each of the structural members is nonparallel with respect to the other structural members.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The play system of claim 14, wherein each of the structural members is comprised of two or more segments.