# US 2023/0054943 A1 · Topographical playground structures, a structural framework thereof, and a method of making the topographical structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054943 A1 - Document ID: US20230054943A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/889,649 - Filed: 2022-08-17 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-19 - Assignees: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. - Applicants: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist; Tin-Man Lau; Elisabeth Mathis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054943A1 ## CPC - A63B 9/00: Climbing poles, frames, or stages {(climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04)} - E01C 13/02: Foundations, e.g. with drainage or heating arrangements {(E01C13/003, E01C13/083, E01C13/10 take precedence; drainage of soil E02B11/00)} - A63B 2009/006: {Playground structures} - A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) ## Abstract The present disclosure is directed to artificial topographical structures, such as mounds, installed at playgrounds using a structural framework. The structural framework is made up of a first plurality of panels extending in a first direction and a second plurality of panels extending in a second direction, with the second direction being transverse to the first direction. Each of the second plurality of panels may be connected to one or more of the first plurality of panels, such as through a complementary arrangement of slots. The artificial structure also includes at least a support layer and a cushion layer. The upper edges of the panels are designed to together provide an artificial mound having a defined contour. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An artificial mound for a playground, comprising: a structural framework comprising a first plurality of structural elements having longitudinal axes extending in a first direction, and a second plurality of structural elements having longitudinal axes extending in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction, and each of the second plurality of structural elements is connected to one or more of the first plurality of structural elements; and wherein each structural element comprises an upper edge, the upper edges together being configured to provide the artificial mound with a contoured surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, wherein the second direction is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction, such that the longitudinal axes of the second plurality of structural elements form right angles with the longitudinal axes of the first plurality of structural elements. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, wherein each of the second plurality of structural elements comprises one or more slots, each of the one or more slots receiving a portion of one of the first plurality of structural elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The artificial mound of claim 3, wherein each of the first plurality of structural elements comprises one or more slots, each of the one or more slots receiving a portion of one of the second plurality of structural elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The artificial mound of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more slots of the first plurality of structural elements extend upward from a lower edge of the first structural element and each of the one or more slots of the second plurality of structural elements extend downward from the upper edge of the second structural element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The artificial mound of claim 5, wherein each of the one or more slots of the second plurality of structural elements receives a portion of one of the first plurality of structural elements positioned directly above one of the one or more slots of the first structural element; and each of the one or more slots of the first plurality of structural elements receives a portion of one of the second plurality of structural elements positioned directly below one of the one or more slots of the second structural element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, wherein each of the structural elements has flat or substantially flat side surfaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The artificial mound of claim 7, wherein each structural element has a thickness less than 3 inches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, wherein at least one of the structural elements is made of plastic, optionally wherein the plastic is high density polyethylene. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, wherein each of the structural elements comprises one or more level indicators a defined distance from an upper edge of the structural element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The artificial mound of claim 10, wherein the one or more level indicators comprise one or more apertures. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, further comprising a fill material in a plurality of spaces formed by the structural framework, optionally in which the fill material comprises crushed stone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The artificial mound of claim 12, wherein the fill material is present to the height identified by the one or more level indicators. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The artificial mound of claim 12, further comprising one or more layers, the one or more layers comprising at least a support layer and a cushion layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, wherein the support layer comprises concrete. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, wherein the support layer is present between at least the level indicator and the upper edge of the structural element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, wherein the cushion layer comprises poured-in-place rubber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, wherein the one or more layers further comprises a finish layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The artificial mound of claim 18, wherein the finish layer comprises poured-in-place rubber (e.g. a cap layer), synthetic grass, or turf. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The artificial mound of claim 1, further comprising a playground component integrated into the artificial mound. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The artificial mound of claim 20, in which a portion of the playground component extends between adjacent structural elements. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The artificial mound of claim 21, further comprising at least a surface layer that covers the structural framework, and wherein the surface layer contacts the playground component, such that the a portion of the playground component projects from the surface layer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, further comprising a tunnel extending through the mound. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The artificial mound of claim 14, further comprising a mobility device access element incorporated into the mound. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) A playground comprising the artificial mound of claim 14.