Playground climbing structure

Abstract

A climbing structure comprises a plurality of climbing units secured to a pole. The climbing units are made from interengageable members having different climbing elements. Hence, many different climbing units can be formed from a set of a few climbing elements. The climbing elements can be varied along the pole such that, near ground level, the climbing elements comprise foot rests. Further up, the climbing elements can comprise steps or a combination of steps and handgrips. If the pole is arced, the climbing elements along the upper portion (or generally horizontal portion) of the pole, can comprise primarily handgrips. Additionally, the climbing units themselves can be assembled together and mounted to the pole using a variety of structures. They can, for example require a hole to be formed in the pole and can be placed at only discrete locations along the pole. Alternatively, they can rely on a clamping mechanism and can be placed at any desired position along the pole.

1 . A climbing structure comprising a plurality of climbing units securable to a pole; the climbing units being formed from two mating and interengagable climbing unit members chosen from a set of climbing unit members; each climbing unit member comprising a body and a climbing element extending from the body; the climbing unit additionally comprising a mounting member to axially fix the two climbing unit relative to the pole and a fastener to secure said members together; whereby many different climbing units can be formed from a set of a few climbing unit members.  
     
     
         2 . The climbing structure of  claim 1  wherein said mounting member comprises a rod which extends through said pole and at least partially through said two climbing unit members.  
     
     
         3 . The climbing structure of  claim 2  said member bodies have an outer surface defining top and bottom surfaces, a front side and a back side; a notch formed in the outer surface back side; said inner surface being flattened at the body front to define a generally semicircular platform; said platform being sized and shaped to be received in said notch; whereby the platform of one body member is received in the notch of the other body member.  
     
     
         4 . The climbing structure of  claim 3  wherein said mounting member extends through said front and back surfaces of said member bodies; said fastener comprising an externally threaded member which is received in an internally threaded member, said fastener comprising said mounting member.  
     
     
         5 . The climbing structure of  claim 3  wherein at least a portion of said body inner surface is shaped to complementarily to the shape of the pole.  
     
     
         6 . The climbing structure of  claim 2  wherein said member bodies each comprise at least upper and lower cut-outs sized and shaped to define one portion of an opening which through which said pole can extend; said members each having opposed inner faces, the inner face of one member body abutting the inner face of the opposing member body in an assembled climbing unit.  
     
     
         7 . The climbing structure of  claim 6  wherein the body members include pegs and peg receiving holes on opposed inner faces; whereby, the pegs of one body member are received in the peg receiving holes of the opposed body member in an assembled climbing unit.  
     
     
         8 . The climbing structure of  claim 6  wherein said member bodies comprise a lip extending outwardly from said cut-out; said fastener comprising a ring assembly which engages said lips of said body members.  
     
     
         9 . The climbing structure of  claim 8  wherein said ring assembly is comprised of at least two pieces, said two pieces being connectable together to hold said member bodies together.  
     
     
         10 . The climbing structure of  claim 6  wherein said fastener comprises a rod which extends through said pole and through said body inner surface; said rod being connected to a threaded member adjacent said body climbing element.  
     
     
         11 . The climbing structure of  claim 6  wherein said fastener comprises a threaded member which extends through said opposed inner faces of said body members.  
     
     
         12 . The climbing structure of  claim 6  wherein said body comprises front and back cut-outs sized and shaped to define one portion of an opening which through which said pole can extend; whereby, said body can be mounted to said pole in two different orientations.  
     
     
         13 . The climbing structure of  claim 12  including a closure to close the cutouts of the body member through which the pole does not extend when the climbing unit is assembled about the pole.  
     
     
         14 . The climbing structure of  claim 13  wherein said bodies comprise a lip extending outwardly from said cut-outs and said fastener comprises a ring assembly which engages said lips; said ring assembly comprising a front potion and a back portion, said front and back portions each comprising an upper ring portion and a lower ring portion; said upper and lower ring potions being joined by said closure.  
     
     
         15 . The climbing structure of  claim 14  wherein said closure comprises a pedestal which extends inwardly toward said pole; said pedestal having an inner surface shaped complementarily to the shape of the pole; said mounting member comprising said shaft extending through said pedestal.  
     
     
         16 . The climbing structure of  claim 2  wherein said climbing unit body comprises a notch formed in one side surface thereof, said inner surface defining a generally flat surface which extends generally perpendicularly to an axis of said pole; said flat surface being sized and shaped to be received in said notch; and said inner surface further including a generally J-shaped surface comprising a first portion extending generally normal to said flat surface, and a curved portion; whereby, in an assembled unit, the curved surfaces of opposed members face each other to define a tube through which the pole extends.  
     
     
         17 . The climbing unit of  claim 16  wherein said mounting member comprises said fastening member; said fastening member rod extending through said mating surfaces of said body members.  
     
     
         18 . The climbing structure of  claim 1  wherein the climbing unit comprises an internal clamp which grips the climbing structure pole to secure the climbing unit to the pole; said clamp defining at least said fastening member.  
     
     
         19 . The climbing structure of  claim 18  wherein said member bodies include a channel formed in said inner surfaces to receive said clamp.  
     
     
         20 . The climbing structure of  claim 18  wherein said clamp comprises a pair of opposed clamp members; said clamp members each clamp member comprising a curved central web shaped to be received in the inner surface channel; a flange extending from one end of said web and a finger extending from the opposite end of said web; said clamp member further including an opening formed approximately at a junction of said flange and said web, a flange opening in said flange, and a cup on said finger; said finger being sized to extend through said opening, said cup being positioned on said finger to be generally aligned with said flange opening; said fastener further comprising a pair of threaded rods which extend through said climbing unit body members to pass through said flange opening and into said finger cup; whereby advancing said rods into said finger cups causes said clamp member to more tightly engage said pole.  
     
     
         21 . The climbing structure of  claim 18  wherein said clamp comprises a pair of clamp members; each clamp member comprising a back wall, a clamp end wall extending from one end of the clamp back wall and having a hole formed therein, a finger extending from an opposite end of the clamp member back wall and having a hole formed therein; said finger hole being generally aligned with the end wall hole, and opposed side walls extending from said back wall; said side walls comprising an inner edge shaped correspondingly to the shape of said pole; said finger having a length sufficient to be received between opposing surfaces of said climbing unit body members.  
     
     
         22 . The climbing structure of  claim 18  wherein said side wall inner edge is toothed.  
     
     
         23 . A climbing unit of a playground structure; said climbing unit being comprised of two connected and mated climbing unit members; each climbing unit member comprising a body and a climbing element extending from the body; the climbing unit additionally comprising a mounting member to axially fix the two climbing unit relative to the pole and a fastener to secure said members together; whereby many different climbing units can be formed from a set of a few climbing unit members.  
     
     
         24 . The climbing structure of  claim 23  wherein said mounting member comprises a rod which extends at least partially through said two climbing unit members.  
     
     
         25 . The climbing structure of  claim 24  wherein said climbing unit body comprises a notch formed in one side surface thereof, said inner surface defining a generally flat surface which extends generally perpendicularly to an axis of said pole; said flat surface being sized and shaped to be received in said notch; and said inner surface further including a generally J-shaped surface comprising a first portion extending generally normal to said flat surface, and a curved portion; whereby, in an assembled unit, the curved surfaces of opposed members face each other to define a tube.  
     
     
         26 . The climbing unit of  claim 25  wherein said mounting member comprises said fastening member; said fastening member rod extending through said mating surfaces of said body members.