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Playground climbing structuresRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Arm Or Hand Type Climbing ArrangementPlayground climbing structures description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070082791, Playground climbing structures. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to playground equipment and, in particular to free standing playground climbing structures, such as simulated rock walls. [0004] Climbing structures, such as rock walls, are employed more and more frequently in indoor and outdoor recreation or playground areas. Typically, a climbing structure comprises a plurality of panels having a formed surface with hand and foot holds thereon. The formed surface can simulate a desired texture, and often is formed to simulate a rock wall. The panels are then rigidly connected together. The system commonly employed to connect the panels together does not allow for variation in the set up of the panels. That is, the angle or orientation between panels cannot be varied. Nor can the orientation of a panel be changed. The panels for currently available climbing structures or walls only fit together in certain predetermined orientations. Additionally, connecting elements are visible in some climbing structures. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A climbing wall assembly or climbing structure made in accordance with the present invention comprises at least two adjacent climbing panels and at least three support posts. The climbing panels are mounted between the support posts and adjacent climbing panels share a common support post. [0006] Each climbing panel comprises a front surface, a back surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The front and back surfaces of the panels are configured to be climbed, and can, for example, have the appearance of a rock wall. A first of the two panels has a connecting element on at least its first side surface and a second of the two panels has a connecting element on its second side surface. The connecting elements of the panels defining an elongate tube which surrounds a support post. Preferably, the tube defined by the connecting elements surrounds substantially the entire above ground height of the support posts. The connection of the panels to the support posts enables two adjacent panels to be oriented relative to each other at a desired angle. [0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the connecting elements of the climbing panels comprise hinge members, there being at least one hinge member a connecting side of each panel. The hinge members of the adjacent panels are vertically offset from each other and axially aligned with each other when the panels are positioned adjacent each other, to form or define the elongate tube through which the support post extends. The tube defined by the hinge member, and through which the support post extends, has a diameter at the top and bottom thereof that is dimensioned to engage the support post, such that there will be a tight fit between the support post and the hinge member at the top and bottom thereof. The central portion of the tube defined by the hinge member has a diameter greater than the diameter of the support post. [0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the climbing wall or climbing structure can comprise three or more climbing panels. In this situation, the panels of the assembly comprise two end panels with the remainder of the panels being center panels. The end panels have the at least one hinge member along only one side thereof and the center panels have hinge members on both their first and second side surfaces. Hence, the end panels can be connected to only one other panel and the center panels can be connected to two other panels. To enable the end panels to be supported by two support posts, end panels include a vertically extending passage which is horizontally spaced from the hinge member of the panel. The end panel passage is sized and shaped to receive a support post. [0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, caps or closures are provided to close the openings at the top of the climbing structure formed by the end panel passages and the hinge members. A first cap is sized and shaped to close the opening formed by the end panel passages. A fastener extends through the cap and into a plate within the post to secure the cap to the post. A second cap includes a cap body sized and shaped to close the opening defined by the hinge member and a flange or finger which extends from the cap body across a gap between adjacent panels. At least one fastener is provided which extends through the cap body of the second cap into a plate in the support post. A second fastener can also extend through the cap flange into the adjacent panel. [0010] The hinge member at the top of the climbing structure can have a recess formed its upper surface, and a recess can be formed in the upper surface of the adjacent panel at the edge of the panel adjacent the upper hinge member. The recesses are sized and shaped to receive the cap so that the cap will be substantially flush with the upper surface of the climbing structure. [0011] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the climbing structure includes a plurality of base members to which the support posts are mounted. Preferably the support posts are removably mounted to the base members. The base member includes a mounting post to which the support post is mounted. The mounting post can be a sleeve which receives the support post, or which is received in the support post. A fastener extends through the support post and the sleeve to secure the support post to the sleeve. The base member includes a plate which surrounds the mounting post above the fastener. In an assembled structure, the panel rests on the plate, such that the panel is supported above the level of the fastener. [0012] In one embodiment, the base member comprises a pole which is set into ground. An upper portion of the pole defines the mounting post. In a second embodiment, the base member comprises a surface engaging plate, and the mounting post extends upwardly from the plate. A plurality of anchors extend through the base plate into surface upon which the plate sits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing structure incorporating the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality panels connected together, the panels being shown flat; [0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the interconnection of two panels, the panels being shown flat; [0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an assembled climbing structure; [0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the climbing structure; [0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; [0019] FIG. 6a is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view taken about the circle 6a of FIG. 5; Continue reading about Playground climbing structures... Full patent description for Playground climbing structures Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Playground climbing structures patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Playground climbing structures or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Playground equipment with protective coating Next Patent Application: Method and apparatus for passively exercising abdominal muscles Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Playground climbing structures patent info. 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