US-20260124482-A1 - Playground apparatus with overpass

US20260124482A1US 20260124482 A1US20260124482 A1US 20260124482A1US-20260124482-A1

Abstract

A playground apparatus is provided comprising a frame structure. The frame structure comprises at least one elevated platform supported around at least a part of its periphery by the frame structure. Cover support poles are associated with the frame structure and located near to the platform. The cover support poles are configured to provide support for a cover that extends over a least a portion of the platform. There is also at least one side wall between the platform and the cover to provide a partially enclosed elevated play space in the playground apparatus.

Inventors

Joe Andon
Akira Yamada
Michael Williams

Assignees

Systems IP Pty Ltd

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251104
Priority Date: 20230401

Claims (17)

1 . A playground apparatus comprising a frame structure including monkey bars for swinging from, wherein the frame structure comprises: at least one elevated enclosure comprising a platform floor formed from a flexible material and a cover roof; at least one monkey bars arranged adjacent to the elevated enclosure in an area not covered by the platform floor, the monkey bars formed from two longitudinal sides and a plurality of rungs; side walls extending from the platform floor to the cover roof around the periphery of the elevated enclosure other than at one or more entry/exit points for the elevated enclosure; upright support poles which have one end on the ground and another end at least at the level of the platform so as to support the platform floor; and cover support poles for supporting the cover roof, wherein the cover support poles either extend from the level of the platform floor to the cover roof or wherein the cover support poles are extensions of the upright support poles that extend to the level of and support the cover roof; wherein the cover extends over all or at least a portion of the platform; and wherein an upright support pole is the same upright support pole that provides support to one longitudinal side of the monkey bars which is arranged such that the longitudinal side of the monkey bars is adjacent to the elevated enclosure.
2 . The playground apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the monkey bars are arranged in the frame to not be higher than the platform floor.
3 . The playground apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a part of the frame structure supporting the platform is formed from horizontal bars separated from the monkey bars.
4 . The playground apparatus of claim 3 , wherein horizontal bar(s) supporting the platform are spaced vertically with respect to the monkey bars.
5 . The playground apparatus of claim 3 , wherein horizontal bar(s) supporting the platform are spaced vertically and horizontally with respect to the monkey bars.
6 . The playground apparatus of claim 1 , wherein there are two entry/exit points for the elevated enclosure.
7 . The playground apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the monkey bars allow for climbing access into to the one or more entry/exit points.
8 . The playground apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover roof extends over all of the platform.
9 . The playground apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elevated enclosure in the assembled structure is a crawl-space.
10 . A playground apparatus comprising a frame structure including monkey bars for swinging from, wherein the frame structure comprises: at least one elevated enclosure comprising a platform floor formed from a flexible material and a cover roof, wherein the platform floor has an edge, and said edge is substantially adjacent to the frame structure; at least one monkey bars arranged adjacent to the elevated enclosure in an area not covered by the platform floor, the monkey bars formed from two longitudinal sides and a plurality of rungs; side walls extending from the platform floor to the cover roof around the periphery of the elevated enclosure other than at one or more entry/exit points for the elevated enclosure; upright support poles which have one end on the ground and another end at least at the level of the platform so as to support the platform floor; and cover support poles for supporting the cover roof, wherein the cover support poles either extend substantially vertically and or outwardly from the level of the platform floor to the cover roof or wherein the cover support poles are extensions of the upright support poles that extend to the level of and support the cover roof; wherein the cover extends over all or at least a portion of the platform; and wherein an upright support pole is the same upright support pole that provides support to one longitudinal side of the monkey bars which is arranged such that the longitudinal side of the monkey bars is adjacent to the elevated enclosure.
11 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cover support poles are the same type of poles as the upright support poles.
12 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the part of the frame structure supporting the platform floor of the at least one elevated enclosure is formed from substantially straight bars.
13 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the elevated enclosure defines a space that is substantially cuboidal.
14 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein there are fasteners on the edge of the platform floor, and the fasteners are evenly spaced.
15 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein there are fasteners on the edge of the platform floor, and the fasteners are spaced so they create a gap between them along the frame structure of not more than 250 mm .
16 . The playground of claim 10 , wherein the cover support poles extend from the level of the platform floor to the cover roof.
17 . The playground apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cover support poles are extensions of the upright support poles that extend to the level of and support the cover roof.

Description

This application claims priority to US Application No. 18/955,780 entitled: A playground apparatus with overpass, filed 21 November 2024, now US Patent No. 12,458,826 issued 4 November 2025, which is a continuation of international application No. PCT/AU2024/050304, entitled: A playground apparatus with overpass, filed 1 April 2024, which claims priority to AU2023900928 entitled: A playground apparatus with overpass, filed on 1 April 2023, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a playground apparatus. In particular, the present invention is directed to playground apparatus which has an elevated play space. BACKGROUND Elevated play spaces are a component of many playground apparatus structures. They are designed to offer children the opportunity to play and climb at heights, providing a fun and challenging experience. Elevated play spaces often include elements such as monkey bars, balance beams, and other climbing features. Elevated play spaces can also include platforms. These platforms are often elevated above ground level, offering children a different perspective and a more challenging play experience. Platform play structures can come in various shapes and sizes, from simple raised platforms to more complex designs with multiple levels, bridges, and slides. These structures may also include climbing elements such as ladders or ropes to reach the elevated platform. In all playground structures, it is crucial to ensure that these structures are built and maintained with adequate safety measures to prevent injuries or accidents. At present, the play industry falls short of providing sufficient safety measures for elevated play spaces, increasing the likelihood of injuries and even fatalities. Some elevated play structures that are located adjacent to monkey bars, can pose head entrapment risks if the overlapping bars are too close to one another. Furthermore, the mounting methods for some elevated platform structures often involve straps that create large holes on the sides of the platform, posing additional injury risks. Notwithstanding the risks, the play industry is keen to integrated elevated play spaces into their apparatus since children enjoy the sense of adventure and challenge. Being also to climb, balance, sit/lay and or move at different heights can provide a unique and exciting experience compared to ground-level play. The present invention seeks to provide a playground apparatus with an elevated play space that overcomes at least some of the problems of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative. SUMMARYOFINVENTION In a first aspect there is provided a playground apparatus comprising a frame structure, wherein the frame structure comprises at least one elevated platform, the platform being formed from a soft pliable material supported around at least a part of its periphery by the frame structure, cover support poles associated with the frame structure and located 20 near to the platform, the cover support poles configured to provide support for a cover that extends over a least a portion of the platform and at least one side wall between the platform and the cover to provide a partially enclosed elevated play space in the playground apparatus. The playground apparatus can be a climbing structure. The frame structure of the playground apparatus includes upright support poles, and horizontal bars. In embodiments there are multiple upright support poles, and multiple horizontal bars. There can be any number of either of the poles and horizontal bars. The horizontal bars are arranged relative to the poles. By relative to the support poles it can mean that the horizontal bars are attached to the support poles so as to provide the frame arrangement. The upright support poles are typically substantially vertical. The horizontal bars are typically substantially horizontal. Either sets of poles or horizontal bars can be disposed in any angular orientation offset from vertical or horizontal. For the horizontal bars in a climbing frame or monkey bar apparatus the arrangement can be any provided the user can grasp them with their hands and or leg, and swing and or rotate their body, or climb. The frame structure can include a main frame structure. The main frame structure can comprise four upright poles arranged in a square or rectangular configuration when viewed from above. This structure is like an open cube. The upright support poles are rigid structures once formed meaning that they do not move in use. The rigidity is provided by the strong material of the support poles. The rigid poles are also immobile which means that they do not move in use. There can be further upright poles to provide for more complex frame structure within the main frame structure. The horizontal bars can be arranged relative to the upright poles such as around and between the upright poles. The horizontal bars can b