US20080300063A1

US20080300063A1 - Playground equipment

Info

Publication number: US20080300063A1
Application number: US12/129,107
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen F. Nye; Jacob Kearl; Marc Rankin; John Bennett; Lynn VanDyke
Original assignee: Lifetime Products Inc
Current assignee: Lifetime Products Inc
Priority date: 2007-05-31
Filing date: 2008-05-29
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: CN201286973Y

Abstract

Playground equipment may include a seesaw. The seesaw may include a first seat and a second seat facing the first seat. The playground equipment may include one or more additional seats that may face away from the first and second seats and which may be disposed at least proximate a pivot point of the seesaw. The playground equipment may be sized and configured to rock back and forth, for example, in a direction different from the direction that the seesaw moves.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/941,248, which was filed May 31, 2007, entitled PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/037,228, which was filed Mar. 17, 2008, entitled PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/037,234, which was filed Mar. 17, 2008, entitled PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
These applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to playground equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
A playground is typically a play area that is designed for children to play freely. Playgrounds, however, may be used by a wide variety of different people and their use is not necessarily limited to children.
Conventional playgrounds often include recreational equipment such as swings, slides, climbing walls, jungle gyms, playhouses and the like. Advantageously, playgrounds may help children develop physical strength, coordination and flexibility, while providing recreation and enjoyment. Playgrounds may also include play structures that include multiple different types of structures and/or link many different pieces of equipment. In addition, playgrounds may include courts or areas for playing games such as basketball, baseball, skating and the like.
Playground equipment is often located in a variety of locations and environments such as parks, schools, child care facilitates, resorts, recreational developments and other areas of public or private use. Children often use playground equipment for playing, exercising and other type of activities.
A conventional type of playground equipment is a seesaw, which may also be referred to as a teeter-totter, and it typically includes a long, narrow board suspended in the middle so that as one end goes up, the other end goes down. In particular, the board is usually balanced in the exact center, and a person sits on each end and they take turns pushing their feet against the ground to lift their end of the board into the air. Many teeter-totters used on playgrounds include handles for the riders to grip as they sit facing each other.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally directed towards playground equipment. Advantageously, the playground equipment can have a variety of suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements.
One aspect is playground equipment that may have an aircraft-shaped configuration, such as an airplane, helicopter or the like. In particular, the aircraft-shaped playground equipment may include components such as fuselages, wings, tails, stabilizers, rotors, wheels, etc. The playground equipment may also include other components such as engines, propellers, pedals, flaps, slats and steering mechanisms, such as yokes or joysticks, and the like.
Another aspect is playground equipment that may have an aircraft-shaped configuration and include a number of seats. For instance, the aircraft-shaped playground equipment may include a fuselage and one or more seats may be disposed in and/or around the fuselage. The aircraft-shaped playground equipment may also include wings and one or more seats may be disposed on or near the wings. In addition, the aircraft-shaped playground equipment may include a tail and the tail may include one or more seats. If desired, the playground equipment may include seats in other suitable locations or positions. Advantageously, the aircraft-shaped playground equipment may include seats in multiple locations, such as seats on the wings and in the fuselage, which may allow multiple users to simultaneously use the playground equipment.
Yet another aspect is playground equipment that may include a support frame connected to the aircraft-shaped structure, such as the fuselage and/or the wings. The support frame preferably allows the playground equipment to pivot or move. For example, the support frame may allow the playground equipment to act as a seesaw or teeter-totter. In particular, the outer portion of the wings may include seats and the support frame may be sized and configured to permit the playground equipment to pivot, tilt, or move up and down in a similar manner as a seesaw. Specifically, the wings may move up and down to create the seesaw. Additionally, other portions of the playground equipment, such as the fuselage or tail, may include seats and persons sitting in these seats may enjoy tilting from side-to-side as the seesawing occurs. The support frame may also be sized and configured to permit the playground equipment to move in other directions. For instance, the playground equipment may move forwardly and backwardly to permit persons sitting in the fuselage to rock back and forth. As this rocking occurs, persons sitting on the wings may move from side-to-side. Thus, the support frame may allow the playground equipment to move from side-to-side and/or forwardly and backwardly.
Advantageously, the playground equipment may be sized and configured to move in a single direction and/or multiple different directions. For example, the playground equipment may act as a seesaw or teeter-totter in one direction, or it may act as a seesaw or teeter-tooter in two or more directions. In particular, the playground equipment may move side-to-side; forwardly and backwardly; or side-to-side and forwardly and backwardly. Additionally, if desired, the playground equipment may move side-to-side and forwardly and backwardly simultaneously, or the playground equipment may independently move side-to-side and forwardly and backwardly. It will be appreciated that the playground equipment may also move in other desired directions and/or angles. It will also be appreciated that while the playground equipment may be sized and configured to move in a variety of different patterns, configurations and arrangements, the playground equipment may remain in a fixed or stationary position if desired.
Still another aspect is playground equipment, which may have an aircraft-shaped configuration, that may include a support frame which is connected to a portion of the playground equipment. For example, the fuselage and the support frame may include one or more openings sized and configured to receive a bushing through which fasteners may be inserted to pivotally connect the support frame and the fuselage. In particular, a first fastener may be inserted through a first bushing that is disposed in openings in a first portion of the fuselage and a first portion of the support frame, and a second fastener may be inserted through a second bushing that is disposed in openings in a second portion of the fuselage and a second portion of the support frame. In greater detail, the first bushing may be inserted through openings in a first tube of the fuselage and a first bracket of the support frame, and the second bushing may be inserted through openings in a second tube of the fuselage and a second bracket of the support frame. The first bushing may also be inserted through openings in a first tube of the support frame and a first bracket of the fuselage, and the second bushing may be inserted through openings in a second tube of the support frame and a second bracket of the fuselage.
A further aspect is playground equipment, which may have an aircraft-shaped configuration, that may include a support frame that is coupled to a fuselage. For example, the support frame and fuselage may include nesting tubes that pivotally connect the fuselage to the support frame. The playground equipment may also include bushings and/or washers positioned between the tubes to help reduce friction and/or wear and tear to the tubes. Fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets and the like, may be used to help secure the tubes and/or the bushings together. For instance, a bolt and a non-rotating washer may be used to help interconnect the tubes and the bushings, and the non-rotating washer may include an opening that engages a nut connected to the bolt to help prevent unintended loosening of the bolt.
Yet another further aspect is playground equipment, which may have an air-craft shaped configuration, that may include a support frame pivotally connected to the fuselage. In particular, the fuselage may form part of a seesaw or teeter-totter and the fuselage may be connected to the support frame with non-horizontal pivot axes. For example, the non-horizontal pivot axes may be at least about five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty or more degrees offset from a horizontal position. Desirably, the non-horizontal pivot axes may provide an unusual motion of the fuselage and/or seesaw. The fuselage, however, may be connected to the support frame with horizontal pivot axes, if desired.
Still another further aspect is playground equipment, which may have an aircraft-shaped configuration, that may include one or more guards. For example, the playground equipment may include wings and the guards may be connected to the wings. The guards may be sized and configured to contact a support surface, such as the ground, when the playground equipment is used. Desirably, this may help prevent damage to the wings and may help prolong the life of the playground equipment. Also, for example, the playground equipment may include one or more rotors or propellers and guards may be connected to the rotors or propellers. Desirably, the guards may help prevent inadvertent contact with the ends or edges of the rotors or propellers.
Another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include a variety of different components and structures. For example, the playground equipment may include a propeller and a steering wheel, which may be sized and configured to rotate the propeller. In particular, the propeller and the steering wheel may be interconnected such that rotating the steering wheel causes the propeller to rotate. For example, the propeller and the steering wheel may be connected to an elongated connecting member such that rotating the steering wheel causes the propeller to rotate. The connecting member may comprise a metal tube and may be inserted through a nose piece, a dashboard and/or other component of the playground equipment to permit the connecting member, the steering wheel and/or the propeller to rotate.
Yet another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include one or more gauges, steering wheels and/or joystick controls. The gauges, steering wheels and/or joystick controls may form part of a dashboard and may be sized and configured to rotate, slide or otherwise move. The gauges, steering wheels and/or joystick controls may be sized and configured to make a desired noise, such as clicking, when they are rotated, slid or moved.
Still another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include a plurality of openings. Advantageously, the openings may form handholds, which may facilitate use of the playground equipment. For example, the wings and fuselage may include one or more openings or handholds, which may assist in using the playground equipment as a seesaw. The openings and handholds may also facilitate use of the playground equipment.
A further aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include one or more seats, which may be connected to the wings and/or the tail. For example, the seats and/or wings may include receiving portions that are sized and configured to facilitate attachment of the seats to the wings. In particular, the wings and/or the tail may be constructed from metal tubes and the seats may include receiving portions that are sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the tubes. In greater detail, the seats may be constructed from lightweight materials, such as plastic, and the seats may be manufactured using a blow-molding process. The seats may include receiving portions that are sized and configured to facilitate attachment of the seats to the playground equipment and the receiving portions may be integrally formed with the seats, if desired. The seats, however, could be constructed from other materials and processes with suitable characteristics.
A still further aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include a fuselage and a tail connected to the fuselage. The tail and/or the fuselage may include one or more connecting portions, such as flanges and/or tabs, that may be used to interconnect the tail and fuselage. For example, the tabs and/or other portions of the tail and the fuselage may include openings that are sized and configured to receive fasteners to interconnect the tail and fuselage. The tabs are preferably constructed from metal and may be welded to the tail and/or the fuselage.
Yet another further aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include one or more components constructed from hollow tubes. For example, the fuselage, wings and tail may be at least primarily constructed from tubes. Advantageously, the hollow tubes may help decrease the weight of the playground equipment, but the tubes do not have to be hollow. The tubes are preferably constructed from metal, such as steel, and the tubes may be connected by fasteners, welding and the like.
Another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include a water gun. The water gun may be connectable to a water supply, such as a garden hose, a water storage tank, or other water supply. The water gun may be configured to shoot water or other liquids, if desired.
Yet another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment with a seesaw or teeter-totter type movement and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may be sized and configured to bias the seesaw into a generally level position. The biasing mechanism may allow, for example, a pivot point to be disposed below the center of gravity of the seesaw and that may help prevent the playground equipment from tipping to one side when not in use. In addition, the biasing mechanism may allow a single person to ride the seesaw. The biasing mechanism may include one or more biasing members, such as springs, that may be connected to the seesaw and/or other portions of the playground equipment. The biasing mechanism may also include other suitable components and/or structures.
Still another aspect is aircraft-shaped playground equipment that may include rotors and/or propellers. The rotors and propellers may include one or more blades and a frame. The frame may include one or more elongated members, such as rods, that may support and/or be connected to the blades. The elongated members may be flexible and the blades may be constructed from fabric or molded plastic. Desirably, the flexible elongated members and/or fabric or molded plastic blades may help prevent or discourage using the rotor or propeller for undesired uses, such as climbing.
A further aspect is playground equipment that may have a seesaw or teeter-totter type movement. For example, the playground equipment may include seats that face each other, such as on opposing ends of a wing. The playground equipment may also include additional seats that may be connected to other portions of the playground equipment, and these seats may be proximate or spaced apart from the seats that face each other. The additional seats may be positioned near the pivot axis, face sideways, be spaced at an angle to the other seats and/or otherwise be spaced away from the other seats. Desirably, this may allow multiple users to use and enjoy the playground equipment. This may also allow the same user to seat in a number of different positions and use or play with a variety of different portions of the playground equipment.
Another aspect is playground equipment that may include a first structure that may include a fuselage, a first wing, a second wing, a first seat disposed on the first wing, and a second seat disposed on the second wing. The second seat the second seat may face towards the first seat. The first structure may also include at least one seat that may face away from the first and second seats. The playground equipment may also include a support frame. The support frame may be pivotally connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion about a pivot point. The at least one seat, which may face away from the first and second seats, may be disposed at least proximate the pivot point. The at least one seat may face in a generally perpendicular direction away from the first and second seats. The at least one seat may include third and fourth seats disposed side by side. The at least one seat may include a third seat and a fourth seat disposed behind the third seat. The at least one seat may include third and fourth seats disposed side by side and a fifth seat disposed behind the third and fourth seats. The playground equipment may include a first opening formed in the first structure; a second opening formed in the support frame, a first bushing at least partially disposed within the first and second openings, and a first fastener at least partially disposed within the first bushing to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame. The first structure may include a first elongated member, the support frame may include a second elongated member, and the first and second elongated members may be disposed in a nested configuration to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame. At least one bushing may be at least partially disposed between the nested first and second elongated members.
Another aspect is playground equipment that may include a first structure that may include a first seat and a second seat. The second seat may face towards the first seat. The first structure may also include at least one seat that may face away from the first and second seats. The playground equipment may also include a support frame. The support frame may be pivotally or otherwise movably connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion in a first direction. The support frame may include a base. The base may be sized and configured to permit the support frame to rock back and forth in a second direction different from the first direction. The second direction may be generally perpendicular to the first direction. The at least one seat may face in a generally perpendicular direction away from the first and second seats. The at least one seat may include third and fourth seats disposed side by side. The at least one seat may include a third seat and a fourth seat disposed behind the third seat. The at least one seat may include third and fourth seats disposed side by side and a fifth seat disposed behind the third and fourth seats. The playground equipment may include a first opening formed in the first structure; a second opening formed in the support frame, a first bushing at least partially disposed within the first and second openings, and a first fastener at least partially disposed within the first bushing to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame. The first structure may include a first elongated member, the support frame may include a second elongated member, and the first and second elongated members may be disposed in a nested configuration to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame. At least one bushing may be at least partially disposed between the nested first and second elongated members. The support frame may be pivotally connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion about a pivot point, and the at least one seat may be disposed at least proximate the pivot point.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exemplary playground equipment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is another partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of exemplary playground equipment, illustrating a connection that may be used with the playground equipment;

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is another partially exploded view of the playground equipment components shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is still another partially exploded view of the playground equipment components shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is still yet another partially exploded view of the playground equipment components shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of exemplary playground equipment, illustrating the playground equipment as a seesaw or teeter-totter;

FIG. 17 is lower perspective view of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary water gun that may be used in connection with playground equipment;

FIG. 19 is a side view of an exemplary base that may be used in connection with playground equipment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of exemplary playground equipment, illustrating a seat;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, partially exploded view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of playground equipment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 25; and

FIG. 27 is another partially exploded view of the portion of the playground equipment shown in FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed towards playground equipment. The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to playground equipment. It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, the playground equipment disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection with other types of structures and designs.
Additionally, to assist in the description of the playground equipment, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left may be used to describe the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. It will be appreciated, however, that the playground equipment can be located in a variety of desired positions and/or orientations. A detailed description of the playground equipment now follows.
An exemplary embodiment of the playground equipment 10 is shown in FIG. 1. As shown the accompanying figures and discussed in more detail below, the playground equipment 10 may have an aircraft-shaped configuration, such as an airplane. The airplane-shaped playground equipment 10 may, for example, include a fuselage 12 and wings 14, 16. Although the playground equipment 10 is shown and described as having an aircraft-shaped configuration, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the playground equipment may have other desired shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements. Thus, the playground equipment 10 is not necessarily limited to having an aircraft-shaped configuration.
The airplane-shaped playground equipment 10 may also include a tail 18 that may be connected to the fuselage 12. The tail 18 and/or the fuselage 12 may include one or more flanges, such as tabs 19, which may be used to interconnect the tail and fuselage. For example, the tabs 19 and/or other portions of the tail and the fuselage may include openings that are sized and configured to receive fasteners to interconnect the tabs and/or these other portions. The tabs 19 are preferably constructed from metal and may be welded to the tail 18 and/or the fuselage 12. It will be appreciated, however, that the tabs 19 may be constructed from other materials and may be connected to the tail 18 and/or the fuselage 12 using one or more fasteners, adhesives and/or other suitable means. It will also be appreciated that the tail 18 and the fuselage 12 do not require any tabs 19 and may be interconnected using any other suitable means. For example, the fuselage 12 and tail 18 may be constructed as part of a one-piece structure, if desired.
In addition, the playground equipment 10 may include one or more seats. The seats may include a seating portion and a backrest portion, like the seats 20, or the seats may simply include a seating portion, like the seats 22. The seats 20, 22 may also have any other suitable sizes, shapes, configurations and/or components depending, for example, upon the intended use of the playground equipment 10.
The seats 20, 22 may be disposed in the fuselage 12; on the wings 14, 16; and/or in other suitable locations and arrangements. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the playground equipment 10 may include a first pair of seats 20 and a second pair of seats 22. The first pair of seats 20 may be generally aligned, such as a first seat disposed in front of a second seat, and these seats may be positioned to allow users to face in generally the same direction. The first pair of seats 20 is preferably disposed proximate to each other, but they could also be spaced apart. The second pair of seats 22 may be positioned to allow users to face generally towards each other. The second pair of seats 22 are preferably spaced apart on opposing sides of the playground equipment 10, but the seats could also be positioned proximate to each other.
It will be appreciated that the seats 20, 22 in the playground equipment 10 may be disposed in various configurations and arrangements. For example, in one arrangement, the playground equipment 10 may include two seats 20 side-by-side in the fuselage 12. In another arrangement, the playground equipment 10 may include three seats 20 in the fuselage 12, for instance, two side-by-side seats 20 with a third seat 20 positioned behind the two side-by-side seats. The playground equipment 10 may, however, could have any number of seats 20, 22, such as a single seat in the fuselage 12 or no seats at all depending, for example, upon the particular configuration of the playground equipment.
The playground equipment 10 may include a support frame 24, which may be connected to the fuselage 12 and/or the wings 14, 16. The support frame 24 may be sized and configured to allow the playground equipment 10 to pivot or move, for example, as a seesaw or teeter-totter. In particular, the wings 14, 16 may move up and down to create the seesaw effect for people sitting on the seats 22. In addition, people sitting on the seats 20 may enjoy tilting from side to side as this seesawing occurs. As shown in FIG. 1, one or more of the seats 20 may be disposed near the pivot axis and/or the seats 20 may face sideways or otherwise away from either of the seats 22. Desirably, the seats 20, 22 may allow multiple users to enjoy the playground equipment.
In further detail, the support frame 24 may be movably connected to the fuselage 12, the wings 14, 16 and/or other portions of the playground equipment 10 to create the seesaw effect. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the fuselage 12 and the support frame 24 may include openings 26, 28 through which a fastener may be inserted to pivotally connect the fuselage to the support frame. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the openings 26, 28 may be sized and configured to receive a bushing 30 through which a fastener 32 may be inserted to pivotally connect a first portion 34 of the fuselage 12 to a first portion 36 of the support frame 24. In addition, as shown FIGS. 8-10, the fuselage 12 and the support frame 24 may include openings 38, 40 that are sized and configured to receive a bushing 42 through which a fastener 44 may be inserted to pivotally connect a second portion 46 of the fuselage to a second portion 48 of the support frame 24. The bushings 30, 42 are preferably constructed from a relatively durable material, such as brass. The bushings 30, 42 may, however, be constructed from other metals, plastic, composites and the like with suitable characteristics. The first and second portions 36, 48 of the support frame 24 may include brackets and the first and second portions 34, 46 of the fuselage 12 may comprise elongated supports or tubes.
If desired, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the first and second portions 36, 48 of the support frame 24 have an adjustable length. Significantly, by adjusting the length of the first and second portions 36, 48, the height of the fuselage 12 may be adjusted. In further detail, the first and second portions 36, 48 of the support frame 24 may include a plurality nested and/or telescopically coupled supports 49, such as tubes or rods, which may be adjustably interconnected in a plurality of relative positions (for instance, by inserting a fastener through openings formed in the supports). Significantly, by adjustably interconnecting the supports 49 in a plurality of relative positions, this may allow the height of the fuselage 12 to be adjusted. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the support frame 24 may also include one or more braces, such as braces 50, that may be connected to and/or reinforce the supports 49. For example, the braces 50 may be connected to the sides, front and/or rear of the supports 49, which may help reinforce the sides, front and/or rear of the supports.
It will be appreciated that the fuselage 12 and the support frame 24 may be connected using other suitable means. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 11-12, the fuselage 12 may include a tube, rod or other elongated member 51 that may be coupled to a tube, rod or other elongated member 52 of the support frame 24. In particular, the tubes 51, 52 may be nested (e.g. by inserting the tube 51 into the tube 52), which may help pivotally or movably connect the fuselage 12 to the support frame 24. One or more bushings 54 may be at least partially positioned between the tubes 51, 52 to help reduce friction and/or wear and tear to the tubes. For instance, as shown in FIG. 13, at least a portion of the bushings 54 may be inserted into the tube 52 and, as shown in FIG. 15, at least a portion of the tube 51 may be inserted into openings in the bushings 54 and the tube 52. The bushings 54 may be constructed from metal (such as brass), plastic, composites and/or other suitable materials. As shown in FIGS. 11-15, one or more washers and fasteners (such as bolts, screws, rivets and the like) may be used to help secure the tubes 51, 52 and/or the bushings 54 together. For instance, a bolt 56 and a non-rotating washer 58 may be used to help interconnect the tubes 51, 52 and the bushings 54, and the non-rotating washer may include an opening 60 that engages a nut 62 connected to the bolt to help prevent unintended loosening of the bolt.
In some instances, the fuselage 12 and/or the support frame 24 may be pivotally interconnected along a non-horizontal pivot axis. For example, the non-horizontal pivot axis may be about five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty or more degrees offset from a horizontal position. Desirably, the non-horizontal pivot axis may provide an unusual motion of the fuselage 12 and/or the wings 14, 16. The fuselage 12 and the support frame 24, however, may be pivotally interconnected along a horizontal pivot axis, if desired. It will also be appreciated that the fuselage 12 and support 24 could be disposed along any suitable axis depending, for example, upon the intended use of the playground equipment 10.
The playground equipment 10 may include a biasing mechanism that may be sized and configured to bias the playground equipment into a desired position. For example, the playground equipment 10 may include a biasing mechanism 64 such as shown in FIGS. 16-17. The biasing mechanism 64 may be sized and configured to bias the playground equipment 10 into a generally level and/or balanced position. For instance, if the playground equipment 10 has a seesaw configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17; an airplane configuration, such as shown in FIG. 1; or a helicopter configuration, such as shown in FIG. 24; then the biasing mechanism may be used to bias the playground equipment into a desired position.
The biasing mechanism 64 may be sized and configured to facilitate use of the playground equipment 10. For example, if the biasing mechanism 64 is being used in connection with a seesaw, then the biasing mechanism may allow a pivot point 68 of the seesaw to be disposed below the center of gravity of the seesaw, which may help prevent the seesaw from tipping to one side when not in use. In addition, the biasing mechanism 64 may help allow a single person to ride the seesaw. The biasing mechanism 64 may include one or more biasing members, such as springs 70. For example, the seesaw may include one spring 70 disposed on one side of the seesaw and another spring disposed on the other side of the seesaw. It will be appreciated that the biasing mechanism 64 may include any suitable number of springs 70 and they may be disposed in a variety of suitable locations. It will also be appreciated that the biasing mechanism 64 may include other suitable components and/or structures.
The playground equipment 10 may also include a water gun 72, such as shown in FIG. 18, which may be connected to the fuselage 12 or other portion of the playground equipment. The water gun 72 may be connectable to a water supply, such as a garden hose, a water storage tank or the like. The water gun 72 may be configured to shoot water or other liquids, if desired. The playground equipment 10 may include any number of water cannons, water guns, slingshots and the like depending, for example, upon the particular configuration of the playground equipment 10.
As discussed above, the playground equipment 10 may function like a seesaw and pivot or tilt in an up and down manner. For example, people may sit in the seats 22 disposed on the distal ends of the wings 14, 16 and use the playground equipment 10 as a seesaw. People may also sit in the seats 20, which may be disposed within the fuselage 12, and they may enjoy tilting from side-to-side if the playground equipment 10 is being used as a seesaw. If desired, the playground equipment 10 may also move in other directions. In particular, the support frame 24 may be sized and configured to permit the playground equipment 10 to move in other directions. For instance, the playground equipment 10 may move forwardly and backwardly to permit persons sitting in the seats 20 to rock back and forth. As this rocking occurs, persons sitting on the seats 22 may move from side-to-side. Thus, the support frame 24 may allow the playground equipment 10 to move from side-to-side and/or forwardly and backwardly. Advantageously, the playground equipment 10 may be sized and configured to move simultaneously side-to-side and forwardly and backwardly. The playground equipment 10 may also be sized and configured to move independently in one direction, such as side-to-side, and then move in a different direction, such as forwardly and backwardly. In addition, the playground equipment 10 may be sized and configured to move in one or more other directions. Significantly, this may allow the playground equipment 10 to be used by a variety of people in a variety of different ways. It will be appreciated that the playground equipment 10 may be sized and configured to move in only a single direction, a combination of directions or it may remain in a stationary configuration.
In order to facilitate movement, the playground equipment 10 may include a base. For example, the support frame 24 may include a base 74, as best seen in FIG. 19, that may be sized and configured to permit the playground equipment 10 to rock and/or move forwardly and backwardly. The base 74, for instance, may include one or more non-linear supports 76, which may include one or more curved and/or angled portions that facilitate this forward/backward movement. The base 74 of the support frame 24, however, need not be configured to rock or move forwardly and backwardly and may, if desired, include one or more linear supports, such as supports 78 shown in FIG. 1.
As discussed above, if the playground equipment 10 has an aircraft-shaped configuration, it may include various components such as the fuselage 12, the wings 14, 16 and seats 20, 22. If desired, the seats 20, 22 may include one or more openings or handholds (such as openings or handholds 80 shown in FIG. 20) that may assist in using the playground equipment. The seats 20, 22 may also include one or more receiving portions that are sized and configured to facilitate attaching the seats to the playground equipment 10. For instance, as shown in FIG. 21, the seats 22 may include receiving portions 82 that are sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the wings 14, 16 and/or other portions of the playground equipment (such as the tail 18). The wings 14, 16 and/or the tail 18 may be constructed from metal tubes and the receiving portions 82 may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the tubes. The receiving portions 82 are preferably integrally formed as part of the seats 22. For example, the seats 22 may be constructed from a lightweight material, such as plastic, and may be formed into the desired shape and configuration using a blow-molding process. Advantageously, the receiving portions 82 may be integrally formed in the seats 22 as part of a unitary, one-piece structure. It will be appreciated that the seats 22 may be constructed using other suitable processes and materials. It will also be appreciated that the seats 22 do not require any receiving portions 22.
As discussed above, the playground equipment 10 may have a variety of suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements. In addition, the playground equipment 10 may have a variety of different features and/or components. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the playground equipment 10 may include a propeller 84. As shown in FIGS. 22-23, the playground equipment 10 may also include a steering wheel 86, which may be sized and configured to rotate the propeller 84. In particular, the propeller 84 and the steering wheel 86 may be interconnected such that rotating the steering wheel causes the propeller to rotate. For example, the propeller 84 and the steering wheel 86 may be connected by an elongated connecting member 88 such that rotating the steering wheel causes the propeller to rotate. The connecting member 88 may include a metal tube that may be inserted through a nose piece 90, a dashboard 92 and/or other component of the playground equipment 10 to permit the steering wheel 86 and the propeller 84 to be connected.
As discussed above, the playground equipment 10 may have an airplane-shaped configuration. The playground equipment 10 may also have other aircraft-shaped configurations, such as a helicopter-shaped configuration 94 as shown in FIG. 24. The helicopter-shaped configuration 94 may have some or all of the components and features discussed in connection with the other configurations of the playground equipment. The helicopter-shaped configuration 94 may also include other components and features.
For example, the playground equipment 10, 94 may include one or more guards. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the playground equipment 10 may include guards 96, 98 that are connected to the wings 14, 16. The guards 96, 98 may be sized and configured to contact a support surface, such as the ground, when the playground equipment 10 is used as a seesaw. Desirably, this may help prevent damage to the wings 14, 16 and may help prolong the life of the playground equipment 10. The guards 96, 98 are preferably constructed from metal tubes, however, other materials and/or structures may be used to construct the guards.
The playground equipment 10, 94 may include other components such as engines and the like. For example, if the playground equipment 94 has a helicopter-shaped configuration, then it may include one or more rotors or propellers 100 and one or more guards 102 that may be sized and configured to be connected to the blades 104 of the rotors or propellers. Desirably, the guards 102 may help prevent inadvertent contact with the ends or edges of the blades.
In greater detail, as best seen in FIGS. 25-27, the rotor 100 may include blades 104 and a frame 106. The frame 106 may include elongated members 108, such as rods, that may support and be connected to the blades 104. If desired, the elongated members 108 may be constructed from flexible and/or resilient materials, and the blades 104 may be constructed from flexible and/or resilient materials, such as fabric or molded plastic. Desirably, the flexible elongated members 108 and/or fabric or molded plastic blades 104 may help prevent damage to the rotor 100. It will be appreciated that the blades 104, frame 106 and/or elongated members 108 may be constructed from other suitable materials and components with desired properties and characteristics. The rotor 100 may be fixed or rotatable, if desired.
Desirably, the playground equipment 10, 94 may include structures and/or components constructed from hollow metal tubes. For example, a fuselage, wings, tail and/or other portions of the playground equipment 10, 94 may be at least primarily constructed from metal tubes. Advantageously, the metal tubes may help decrease the weight of the playground equipment 10, 94, but the tubes do not have to be hollow. The tubes are preferably constructed from metal, such as steel, and the tubes may be connected by fasteners, welding and the like. It will be appreciated, however, that the playground equipment 10, 94 does not have to be constructed from tubes and other suitable structures may be used to build the playground equipment. It will also be appreciated that the playground equipment 10, 94 may be constructed from other suitable materials such as plastic, wood and the like.
As discussed above and shown in the accompanying figures, the playground equipment 10, 94 may include fuselages, wings, tails, stabilizers, rotors, etc. The playground equipment 10, 94 may also include other components such engines, wheels, pedals, flaps, slats, gauges and/or steering mechanisms, such as yokes, steering wheels or joysticks, and the like. The gauges and steering mechanisms may form part of a dashboard and may be sized and configured to rotate, slide or otherwise move. The gauges and steering mechanisms may be sized and configured to make a desired noise, such as clicking, when they are rotated or moved. The gauges and steering mechanisms, however, need not make noise and need not be rotatable, slidable or movable.
As shown above, the playground equipment 10, 94 preferably has an aircraft-shaped configuration. It will be understood that the playground equipment 10, 94 may have a variety of different aircraft shapes and sizes. For example, the playground equipment 10, 94 may be larger, smaller or have other suitable dimensions depending, for example, upon the intended use of the playground equipment. It will also be understood that the playground equipment 10, 94 does not have to have an aircraft-shaped configuration and it could have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending upon the intended use of the playground equipment. Further, it will be understood that the playground equipment could also include other suitable features and components depending, for example, upon the intended use of the playground equipment.
Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. Playground equipment comprising:

a first structure comprising:

a fuselage;

a first wing;

a second wing;

a first seat disposed on the first wing;

a second seat disposed on the second wing, the second seat facing towards the first seat; and

at least one seat facing away from the first and second seats; and

a support frame pivotally connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion about a pivot point, the at least one seat being disposed at least proximate the pivot point.

2. The playground equipment of claim 1, further comprising:

a first opening, the first opening formed in the first structure;

a second opening, the second opening formed in the support frame;

a first bushing at least partially disposed within the first and second openings; and

a first fastener at least partially disposed within the first bushing to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame.

3. The playground equipment of claim 1, wherein the first structure includes a first elongated member; and wherein the support frame includes a second elongated member, the first and second elongated members being disposed in a nested configuration to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame.

4. The playground equipment of claim 3, further comprising at least one bushing at least partially disposed between the nested first and second elongated members.

5. The playground equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat faces in a generally perpendicular direction away from the first and second seats.

6. The playground equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat comprises third and fourth seats disposed side by side.

7. The playground equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat comprises a third seat and a fourth seat disposed behind the third seat.

8. The playground equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat comprises third and fourth seats disposed side by side and a fifth seat disposed behind the third and fourth seats.

9. Playground equipment comprising:

a first structure comprising:

a first seat;

a second seat facing towards the first seat; and

at least one seat facing away from the first and second seats; and

a support frame movably connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion in a first direction, the support frame comprising a base sized and configured to permit the support frame to rock back and forth in a second direction different from the first direction.

10. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction.

11. The playground equipment of claim 9, further comprising:

a first opening, the first opening formed in the first structure;

a second opening, the second opening formed in the support frame;

12. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the first structure includes a first elongated member; and wherein the support frame includes a second elongated member, the first and second elongated members being disposed in a nested configuration to pivotally interconnect the first structure and the support frame.

13. The playground equipment of claim 12, further comprising at least one bushing at least partially disposed between the nested first and second elongated members.

14. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the at least one seat faces in a generally perpendicular direction away from the first and second seats.

15. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the at least one seat comprises third and fourth seats disposed side by side.

16. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the at least one seat comprises a third seat and a fourth seat disposed behind the third seat.

17. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the at least one seat comprises third and fourth seats disposed side by side and a fifth seat disposed behind the third and fourth seats.

18. The playground equipment of claim 9, wherein the support frame is pivotally connected to the first structure to provide the first and second seats with a seesaw motion about a pivot point; and wherein the at least one seat is disposed at least proximate the pivot point.