Lifting system for accessible playgrounds

A device for lifting a person onto playground equipment to provide accessibility for users with disabilities, the device comprising:

• a first platform accessible to a wheelchair via an entranceway, the first platform movable along a z-axis between a first position at a first z-axis height and a second position at a second z-axis height;
• one or more barriers adjacent to the first platform, the one or more barriers structurally configured to prevent the wheelchair from exiting the first platform at least along a first direction intersecting the z-axis;
• a second platform coupled to playground equipment and disposed away from the first platform along one or more of an x-axis and a y-axis, the second platform disposed at the second z-axis height;
• a plurality of sub-platforms disposed between the first platform and the second platform, wherein, when the first platform is disposed in the first position, the plurality of sub-platforms define stairs between the first z-axis height of the first platform and the second z-axis height of the second platform, and wherein each of the plurality of sub-platforms is movable along the z-axis between a stair position and a platform position, the platform position substantially disposed at the second z-axis height;
• an actuator engaged with the first platform, the actuator activatable to move the first platform along the z-axis between the first position and the second position;
• and
• one or more couplers connecting the first platform and one or more sub-platforms of the plurality of sub-platforms such that movement of the first platform via the actuator between the first position and the second position provides coordinated movement of each of the plurality of sub-platforms between the stair position and the platform position,
• wherein, when the first platform is in the second position and each of the plurality of sub-platforms is in the platform position, a pathway is formed between the first platform and the playground equipment, the pathway being substantially planar.

A method for providing accessibility to playground equipment for users with disabilities, the method comprising:

• coupling a lifting device to an engagement area of playground equipment;
• positioning a user on a first platform of the lifting device disposed at a first z-axis height, the first platform disposed adjacent to a plurality of sub-platforms, wherein the plurality of sub-platforms are disposed between the first platform and the engagement area, the engagement area disposed at a second z-axis height greater than the first z-axis height, the plurality of sub-platforms defining stairs between the first z-axis height of the first platform and the second z-axis height of the engagement area;
• moving, via an actuator, the first platform along a z-axis from the first z-axis height to the second z-axis height;
• and
• moving, via one or more of the actuator and movement of the first platform, one or more of the plurality of sub-platforms along the z-axis from a stair position to the second z-axis height thereby forming a substantially planar pathway at the second z-axis height between the first platform and the playground equipment.