US3814416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Playground climbing structures
Assignee: Northwest Design Products Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-25
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1991-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Playground equipment and climbing structures are described which may be disassembled and re-assembled into other forms by simple manipulation of parts. The structures are made up of the three basic elements, a large beam member having a plurality of throughbores along its length, a rod member adapted to be inserted within the throughbores of the beam member and, a pair of retaining collars, one positioned on each side of the beam member, to securely fasten the rod member within the throughbores of the beam member to prevent relative motion therebetween. The apparatus is constructed using one or more of the beam members in conjunction with one or more of the rod members having the required number of collars to hold the apparatus together. Individual play events, swings, climbing towers, ladders, parallel bars, inclined ramps, scaffolding and a myriad of other configurations, either individually or as interconnected events, may be constructed according to the teaching of this invention.
Inventors
- 👤 W Munger
- 👤 C Kirby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B9/00; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A freestanding array of a plurality of structural units forming a rigid three dimensional climbing apparatus, each of said units comprising: at least one beam member having a plurality of throughbores; at least one rod member inserted into one or more of said throughbores; and collar elements receiving said rod member axially, having rotation-resisting throughbore-engaging means positioned externally on said collar elements and projecting outwardly from the surface of said collar elements and having means to releasably engage said rod member restraining relative rotation and axial reciprocation therebetween, said collar elements being utilized in pairs, one of said collar elements positioned at each end of a throughbore having a rod member positioned therein and engaging said throughbore in a substantially cylindrical interfit, whereby said rod member is rigidly but removably positioned within said throughbore, the structural engagement of said beam members, said collar elements and said rod members resulting in said rigid, three dimensional climbing array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A freestanding array of a plurality of structural units forming a rigid three dimensional climbing apparatus, each of said units comprising: at least one beam member having a plurality of throughbores; at least one rod member inserted into one or more of said throughbores; and collar elements receiving said rod member axially, having rotation-resisting throughbore-engaging means positioned externally on said collar elements and projecting outwardly from the surface of said collar elements and having means to releasably engage said rod member restraining relative rotation and axial reciprocation therebetween, said collar elements being utilized in pairs, one of said collar elements positioned at each end of a throughbore having a rod member positioned therein and engaging said throughbore in a substantially cylindrical interfit, whereby said rod member is rigidly but removably positioned within said throughbore, the structural engagement of said beam members, said collar elements and said rod members resulting in said rigid, three dimensional climbing array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said collar elements each comprise; a first substantially cylindrical portion having a diameter greater than said throughbore and a second substantially cylindrical section having a diameter permitting insertion of said second section into said throughbore, said collar elements each having an axial bore of sufficient diameter to receive said rod member and having throughbore engaging means projecting outwardly from said second substantially cylindrical section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throughbores are positioned in said beam member without intersection of said throughbores in said beam member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throughbores extend through said beam member perpendicular to the axis thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an equal number of said throughbores are positioned upon each of two perpendicular axial planes. said rod said
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A climbing apparatus comprising a plurality of beam members each having a plurality of throughbores positioned upon each of a plurality of axial planes, a plurality of rod members inserted within said throughbores and a plurality of collar elements restraining relative motion between said beam members and said rod members, said collar elements used in opposed pairs, one of said collar elements positioned at each exposed aperture of said throughbore on saidrod member, said collar elements having throughbore engaging means externally positioned thereon and projecting outwardly from the surface of aid collar elements, said collar elements each releasably engaging both said aperture and said rod member to restrain relative rotational and reciprocative motion therebetween, said collar elements each having a substantially cylindrical portion engaging a portion of said throughbore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A climbing apparatus comprising a plurality of beam members each having a plurality of throughbores positioned upon each of a plurality of axial planes, a plurality of rod members inserted within said throughbores and a plurality of collar elements restraining relative motion between said beam members and said rod members, said collar elements used in opposed pairs, one of said collar elements positioned at each exposed aperture of said throughbore on saidrod member, said collar elements having throughbore engaging means externally positioned thereon and projecting outwardly from the surface of aid collar elements, said collar elements each releasably engaging both said aperture and said rod member to restrain relative rotational and reciprocative motion therebetween, said collar elements each having a substantially cylindrical portion engaging a portion of said throughbore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said structure includes at least one beam member having a plurality of rod members passing through said throughbores, said rod members positioned perpendicular to the axis of said beam member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said collar elements each comprise a first substantially cylindrical portion having a diameter greater than said throughbore and a second substantially cylindrical section having a diameter permitting insertion of said second section into said throughbore, said collar elements each having an axial bore of sufficIent diameter to receive said rod member and having throughbore engaging means projecting outwardly from said second substantially cylindrical section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said collar elements have rod member engaging means to fasten said collar elements to said rod members preventing relative motion therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein an equal number of said throughbores are positioned upon each of two perpendicular axial planes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said throughbores are substantially cylindrical.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |