Amusement devices – Swing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-17
2001-10-16
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Swing
C472S125000, C248S165000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302801
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a playstation, and particularly, to a playstation that is configured to be stronger, less expensive to manufacture, and easier to assemble.
Playstations are typically used as a framework onto which various children's play accessories (e.g., swings, slides, climbing towers, etc.) are secured. The children's accessories are attached to the playstations in any number of configurations.
Playstations are commonly sold to consumers as a conglomeration of unassembled parts in order to facilitate shipping and handling of the playstation. As a result, the playstation is assembled by the ultimate user at the desired location. The number, size, and complexity of the parts makes assembling conventional playstations extremely cumbersome.
Typical playstations include one or more horizontal cross-beams that are supported by one or more support structures. The cross-beams are usually either metal (e.g., tubular metal) or wood (e.g., a single 4×4 beam or 2 parallel 2×6 timbers). The support structures include one or more brackets fastened to supports, or legs (commonly in an A-frame configuration).
One of the problems associated with conventional brackets is that they have elaborate configurations making them costly to manufacture. Another problem with conventional brackets is that the elaborate configurations add to the difficulty associated with assembling the playstations. The brackets are typically difficult to align due to the lack of any structural formations on the brackets that can be used to align the brackets relative to the other components that make up the playstation. Several conventional brackets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,190,283 and 5,364,312.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention provides a playstation that is configured to be stronger, less expensive to manufacture, and easier to assemble. The playstation includes a Y-shaped support that has a top section, a lower left section, and a lower right section. The playstation also includes a first cross-beam secured to the left side of the top section on the Y-shaped support and a second cross-beam secured to the right side of the top section on the Y-shaped support. The playstation further includes a left leg secured to the lower left section of the Y-shaped support and a right leg secured to the lower right section of the Y-shaped support.
Using the Y-shaped support of the present invention allows the playstation to be readily assembled. The assembled playstation also provides a solid support structure for securing one or more children's accessories to the playstation.
The Y-shaped support is preferably secured to one end of the first and second cross-beams while a support structure (which could include another Y-shaped support) is secured to the opposite end of the cross-beams, although the Y-shaped support could be secured to any point along either cross-beam.
The Y-shaped support is preferably assembled from a left bracket and a right bracket where each of the brackets includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions of the left and right brackets are secured together to form the top section of the Y-shaped support such that the lower portion of the left bracket becomes the lower left section of the Y-shaped support and the lower portion of the right bracket becomes the lower right section of the Y-shaped support. A plurality of conventional fasteners connect the upper portions of the brackets together, although the brackets can be connected together by a single fastener.
The left and right brackets preferably include one or more pairs of axially aligned openings where one of the openings is larger than the other opening. Fasteners extends through each pair of openings in order to secure the bracket that has the smaller opening to one of the cross-beams. The heads of the fasteners fit within the larger openings of the other bracket. Recessing the heads of the fasteners within the larger openings in the other bracket allows the unsecured cross-beam to be placed flush against the other bracket. Once properly positioned against the other bracket, the unsecured cross-beam is connected to the already secured cross-beam by the use of fasteners or some other means commonly known in the art.
In another form of the invention, the first and second cross-beams are positioned against the top section of the Y-shaped support such that the first and second cross-beams are substantially parallel. The first and second cross-beams are aligned relative to one another and the Y-shaped support by positioning the cross-beams against the fasteners that are used to secure the left and right brackets of the Y-shaped support together.
In yet another form of the invention, the Y-shaped support includes one or more embosses that protrude from the surface of the Y-shaped support. The embosses are positioned to provide alignment for mounting the cross-beams and/or the legs to the Y-shaped support by providing a surface that abuts the leg and/or cross-beam when either of these articles is mounted to the Y-shaped support.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a playstation that includes an angled bracket, a first cross-beam and a second cross-beam. The angled bracket includes an upper section and a lower section extending downward from the upper section. The upper section of the angled bracket is secured between the first and second cross-beams. The playstation further includes a leg that is secured to the lower section of the angled bracket and a support structure that is secured to the first cross-beam, the second cross-beam and the upper section of the angled bracket.
In a preferred form of the invention, the support structure is a tower that includes a landing for supporting a child. The tower is secured to the first cross-beam, the second cross-beam and the upper section of the angled bracket at a position above the landing on the tower.
A principal advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that is easily assembled.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that includes parts which are easy to fabricate.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a playstation that is sturdy enough to act as a support structure for one or more children's play accessories.
Other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following drawings, detail description and claims.
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The Amazing Imagination Machines, Dallas Custom Swings, Creative Playthings, Backyard Playset Collection Playkids Playgrounds, Playkids Manufacturing Inc. Miami, Florida (1996).
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Nguyen Kien T.
Playstar, Inc.
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