Post for playground structure

Abstract

A post for a playground structure has a length, a width and a thickness, and the width of the post is at least three times its thickness. This allows for easier transportation of the post, or of a playground structure in kit form, than for posts having a circular cross section. A playground structure including a number of such posts is also provided.

1 . A post for a playground structure, the post having a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the width of the post is at least three times its thickness.  
   
   
       2 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post has a width of approximately five times its thickness.  
   
   
       3 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is constructed of plywood.  
   
   
       4 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is constructed of a hard plastic material.  
   
   
       5 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is approximately 8 feet in length.  
   
   
       6 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the post is provided with a plurality of apertures along its length for engaging various members with the post.  
   
   
       7 . A post as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the post is provided with first and second apertures which are located towards respective ends of the post, to enable the post to be attached to other members at or adjacent the respective ends of the post.  
   
   
       8 . A post as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the post is provided with a third aperture located between the first and second apertures, and wherein the third aperture is adapted to enable the post to support a platform at a point of the post, intermediate the ends.  
   
   
       9 . A post as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the post is provided with a fourth aperture, located between the first and second apertures to enable the post to support a platform at a different height to the third aperture.  
   
   
       10 . A post as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the post is provided with one or more additional apertures  
   
   
       11 . A post as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the axial spacing between axially adjacent apertures is 4 to 14 inches.  
   
   
       12 . A post as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each of the plurality of apertures is substantially rectangular in shape and axially elongate.  
   
   
       13 . A post as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the length of each one of a given number of apertures is between approximately five and seven times the width of that aperture.  
   
   
       14 . A post as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the width of at least some of the plurality of apertures is between approximately 0.75 and 1.0 inches.  
   
   
       15 . A post as claimed in  claim 14  the width of most of the apertures of the plurality of apertures is approximately 0.75 inches.  
   
   
       16 . A post as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of apertures is located substantially on the central longitudinal axis of the post and each of the plurality of apertures is orientated so that it has an axial length parallel to the axial length of the post.  
   
   
       17 . A playground structure, comprising a plurality of posts, each said post having a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the width of each of said posts is at least three times its thickness.  
   
   
       18 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each post of the plurality of posts is manufactured from a sheet of plywood.  
   
   
       19 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the playground structure comprises at least six posts each of which has a width at least three times its thickness.  
   
   
       20 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each post is provided with a plurality of apertures along its length.  
   
   
       21 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least some of the apertures are used for connecting one post to another post by connecting spaced apart portions of a member to the respective posts.  
   
   
       22 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the connection of the member to an aperture of the post is an interlocking connection and wherein the member includes a connection portion comprising a projecting portion, adapted to pass through an aperture in a post, a main body portion, and a recess, between the projecting portion and the main body portion.  
   
   
       23 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the recess is similar in width to the thickness of the post, so that in use the post is securely located in the recess with respect to the member.  
   
   
       24 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the playground structure is substantially rectangular with a post at each corner.  
   
   
       25 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the playground structure comprises a plurality of cross members and a plurality of side members; 
 wherein, the cross members are arranged, in use, with axial lengths substantially perpendicular to the width of the plurality of posts and the side members are arranged, in use, with axial lengths perpendicular to the axial lengths of the cross members.    
   
   
       26 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 25  wherein each cross member has a width at least three times its thickness, and wherein each side member has a width at least three times its thickness.  
   
   
       27 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the playground structure also comprises at least two platforms, each supported by at least two cross members and/or at least two side members and wherein two platforms are supported at different heights by substantially identical posts of the playground structure.  
   
   
       28 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the playground structure is reconfigurable after initial construction.  
   
   
       29 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the playground structure includes a ladder comprising two side beams and a plurality of rungs located between the two side beams, wherein each rung includes a substantially flat connection portion at or adjacent at least one end thereof and wherein each rung is attached by insertion of the or each flat connection portion into a corresponding slot in a side beam.  
   
   
       30 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the ladder is configured as a set of monkey bars.  
   
   
       31 . A playground structure as claimed in  claim 17  when the playground structure is in kit form, comprising a kit of parts which comprises at least two posts, each having a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the width of each of said posts is at least three times its thickness.  
   
   
       32 . A ladder for a playground structure, comprising two side beams and a plurality of rungs located between the two side beams, wherein each rung includes a substantially flat connection portion at or adjacent at least one end thereof and wherein each rung is attached by insertion of the or each flat connection portion into a corresponding slot in a side beam.  
   
   
       33 . A ladder for a playground structure, as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein in use the ladder is a set of monkey bars.