Soft Play, L.l.c.

Discovery Zone, Inc.

Grant M Strawcutter

James O Dunn, Jr

Jonathan E Brooks

Todd A Coble

Keith C Nagelski

Richard J Petersheim

Mitchell R Warren

Dustin C Clark

Daniel J Dittberner

A modular spiral staircase within a surrounding enclosure for indoor playground equipment is disclosed. The modular spiral staircase includes individual stair treads arranged in a spiral pattern within the surrounding enclosure. The individual stair treads are vertically connected to one another and are circumferentially connected to the surrounding enclosure. Preferably, arcuate tread segments each having a plurality of integrally connected individual stair treads are provided. The individual stair treads are laterally offset from each other and are circumferentially arranged in a spiral pattern about an associated supporting central post. The surrounding enclosure includes enlarged spaced lower and upper openings that are aligned with the modular spiral staircase to facilitate entry and exit of a user.

Spiral climb in surrounding enclosure

Molded square recreational equipment platform

Molded triangular recreational equipment platform

A one-piece helical tube component for use in forming spiral or helical playground units is disclosed. The helical tube component includes an interconnected series of helical tube segments each having a constant predetermined diameter and slope. Complementary male and female tube segments are provided adjacent opposite ends of the interconnected series of helical tube segments for corresponding mating engagement with complementary male and female tube segments of another similarly formed helical tube component.

Helical tube recreational component

A movable rocking-type recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes a tubular enclosure having opposite open ends for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and tubular enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit rocking movement of the tubular enclosure relative to the support through the movement of an occupant within the tubular enclosure. The tubular enclosure is resiliently supported relative to the support in order to level the tubular enclosure on the support following the conclusion of the rocking movement. The tubular enclosure may be connected to flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable rocking movement of the tubular enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.

Movable rocking-type recreational equipment device

A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit controlled fluid movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure provides controlled fluid or resilient multi-directional movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The device may be connected to one or more flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable movement of the enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.

Multi-directional movable recreational equipment device

A movable occupant directed recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed to permit movement of the enclosure relative to the support in at least one predetermined path. An occupant directed controller within the enclosure is provided for directing movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the at least one predetermined path. Preferably, the enclosure and support are constructed to permit movement of the support in at least two predetermined paths through a dual axis pivoting mechanism, although additional movement of the enclosure relative to the support is provided in pathways outside of the at least two predetermined paths which are generally transverse to one another. The device may be connected to one or more flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable movement of the enclosure while remaining connected to the tubes.

Movable occupant directed recreational equipment device

A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to restrict movement of the enclosure in a first predetermined path. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in a second predetermined path in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the second predetermined path, when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the first predetermined path, in which movement of the enclosure relative to the support is restricted, is a horizontal path while the second predetermined path, enabling controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support, is a vertical path. The device may be connected to one or more flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable movement of the enclosure while remaining connected to the tubes.

Vertically movable recreational equipment device

Recreational equipment device

Adjustable column for children's playground equipment

Buttress tree support for children's playground equipment

Play enclosure

The invention disclosed comprises a combination ladder and stair for use by children which incorporates stair-like treads and risers with ladder-like rungs to achieve safe climbing activity. The combination ladder and stair is adapted to be used at a comparatively steep angle to the ground with the treads being maintained level. The rungs are placed adjacent to and level with each tread to afford additional security for the foot, and are spaced from the tread to allow the hand to grasp around the rung. In the preferred embodiment the ladder is incorporated into a split tube which serves as an entry to a children's play system.

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Grant M Strawcutter