Field of the Invention

This invention relates to connectors and connector components, including support brackets, and has particular application to the assembly of play structures having an array of multiple uprights.

Background Art

Australian patent application 571435 discloses a clamping ring arrangement for use in assembling accessories and horizontal components to the tubular pole uprights of a playground. The clamping rings typically comprise a pair of complementary semi-circular halves with opposed flanges by which the halves may be bolted together and thereby clamped onto the post. One half ring has an integral projecting sleeve portion to receive and secure horizontal rods or spigots which interconnect the post uprights and/or mount platforms, slides or other accessories. In an alternative construction, one or both half rings have a socket which is oriented vertically to receive a depending lug on a horizontally extending rod or accessory. The two halves of the clamping ring may not be wholly separable but may be hinged together on one side.

Clamping rings of the above kind have the important advantages that they can be positioned at any location on the post and therefore afford great flexibility in playground assembly, and that they allow the assembly to be quite forgiving of imperfections in the posts and in the dimensions of attached accessories. Arrangements utilising square posts and complementary angled clamps have also been proposed. A disadvantage of the prior clamping ring arrangement is that, while there is full positional flexibility vertically, options for variable assembly in the horizontal direction are somewhat limited. Although the ring can be clamped at

any angle in the horizontal plane, the uniform nature and dimensions of the integral sleeve or socket are restrictive on assembly arrangements, especially where multiple clamping rings must co-operate to mount a given accessory. Moreover, each ring can only mount one or perhaps two components or accessories and thus multiple mountings at a common height on a pole cannot be readily achieved.

Other arrangements for attaching rails and rods to the clamping rings have been proposed but they generally comprise fixed sockets or like apertures forming an integral part of the clamping ring. Another known playground assembly system employs clamping rings with pairs of threaded holes to which may be attached different kinds of support brackets such as L-section plates and sleeves for supporting rods or spigots. This system has a potential for improved flexibility but is more labour intensive in view of the additional fastening required.

Known scaffolding systems do not provide any suitable solution to the problem. This is not entirely surprising as such systems generally entail highly uniform lattices of similar elongate components. A known attachment arrangement in scaffolding systems is to locate a depending lug or peg at or adjacent the end of a rail component in a matching vertical opening at the side of the post. In DE 2005337, for example, a pair of spring loaded U-shaped plates are fastened to the post by a bolt which passes through the post and can be adjusted to clamp lugs or pegs of rails against the post in each of the four right angular corners defined by the plates. This arrangement is not adjustable vertically and again defines only fixed attachment positions. In contrast, US 4439052 has an annular recess about the post to receive the lug or peg, but the recess is defined by a dished ring welded to the post at a fixed location, and the rail is clamped in this ring. US 3998562 has four vertical channels in which the peg or lug can be clamped against the post but the channels are provided at fixed locations and spaced on a collar clamp. In the arrangement of EP 004179, the depending lug or peg of the rail is clamped in one of four fixed locations defined between an inner boss fastened to the post and a surrounding wedge ring. Other arrangements depicted in GB 1185169 and DE 2852892.

Disclosure of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved connector system which enhances flexibility in erecting play structures but requires minimal time to assemble.

The invention provides, in a first aspect, a connector which includes a body adapted to be supported from an upright post, which body includes a portion shaped to abut and extend at least partially about the post. Means on the body defines a recess which lies within the body adjacent to and about the post when the body is supported from a post, whereupon the recess opens in a direction parallel to the axis of the post. A support bracket defines a support portion and a flange segment dimensioned to complement and seat in the" recess. An integral projection is provided on the inside face of the flange segment, and an undercut formation is associated with the recess to receive the projection for locking the support bracket against separation from the recess when the body is supported from a post.

The invention also provides, in a second aspect, a connector including, a body adapted to be supported from an upright post, which body includes a portion shaped to abut and extend at least partially about the post. Means on the body defines a recess which lies within the body adjacent to and about the post when the body is supported from a post, whereupon the recess opens in a direction parallel to the axis of the post. A support bracket defines a support portion and a flange segment dimensioned to complement and seat in the recess. The recess and flange segment are annular or part annular so that the recess may receive the flange segment and so mount the bracket anywhere without an angular range of positions when the body is supported from a post. The flange segment preferably defines generally parallel inside and outside faces.

The invention further provides, in its second aspect, a connector element which comprises a body adapted to be supported from an upright post, which body includes a portion shaped to abut and extend at least partially about the post. Means on the body defines a recess which lies within the body adjacent to

and about the post when the body is supported from a post, whereupon said recess opens in a direction parallel to the axis of the post for receiving a complementary depending segment of a support bracket. An undercut formation is associated with the recess to receive a projection on the segment to lock the support bracket against separation from the recess when the body is supported from a post.

In its second aspect, the invention still further provides a support bracket comprising a body adapted to support another body, a flange segment integral with the bracket body, depending from a marginal portion of the bracket body to define generally parallel inside and outside faces, and an integral projection on the inside face of the depending flange segment under the bracket body. The body and the outside face are arranged so that the segment may be disposed adjacent an upright post in a complementary recess of a suitable connector element. The support bracket may be designed to complement a connector as defined, the arrangement preferably being such that the support bracket, when locked in the connector, projects cantilever fashion from the connector. The support bracket may provide a cantilevered platform on which playground components may be rested and/or to which they may be connected, or may be more complex. For example, the support bracket may include an integral sleeve portion for receiving a rod, rail or spigot member.

The invention further extends to a connector assembly comprising the aforedefined connector and a complementary support bracket including said depending segment and said projection. The support bracket may conveniently be a support bracket according to the second aspect of the invention.

The invention still further extends to a play structure comprising multiple upright posts interconnected by horizontally extending components, the playground further including plural play accessories, wherein the upright posts are connected to at least some of the horizontally extending components by connectors according to the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown assembled and mounted on an upright post of a play structure;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 3; Figure 3 is a partial cross-section on an axial plane and on the line 3-3 in

Figure 2, showing the assembly supporting a deck component;

Figure 4 is partially sectioned elevation of the cleat serving as the support bracket component of the connector assembly, as seen on the line 4-4 in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a connector assembly according to the first embodiment, but shown in the inverted position on the post;

Figure 6 and 7 are cross-sectional and plan views respectively of an alternative form of support bracket for the assembly of Figures 1 to 4, Figure 7 showing the bracket in situ in a play structure; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support bracket similar to that of

Figures 6 and 7 but designed to locate a horizontal rod further from the support post;

Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional and plan views respectively of a still further alternative form of support bracket for the assembly of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 11 is a plan view of a second embodiment of connector according to the invention, suitable for a square upright post;

Figure 12 is a cross-section on the line 12-12 in Figure 11; and Figure 13 is an end elevation of the support bracket forming part of the assembly of Figures 11 and 12.

Best Modes of Carrying Out the Invention

The connector 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 includes a clamp component, in the form of a clamping ring 12, and a support bracket 14, and is shown fixed to an upright rough post 8. Post 8 is typically a relatively thin walled metal tubular post forming one upright component of a play structure. As will be better appreciated in due course, the clamping ring may, in situ, carry several of the support brackets 14, but is illustrated with only one bracket for ease of explanation. Post 8 and connector 10 are shown in isolation for illustrative purposes, but in a complete play structure, post 8 would be one of several similar posts and there would typically be one or more play accessories selected from the group comprising slides, swings, rollerslides, tunnels, upright panels, fences, climbing chains, decks and roofs.

Clamping ring 12 comprises a body which is adapted to be supported from post 8 and includes an inner cylindrical surface 16 which, in situ, abuts and extends about the post. The clamping ring is divided into two halves 13a, 13b each of semi-circular configuration. These halves include integral and complementary opposed flanges 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b which face each other in opposed pairs and have complementary threaded open-ended bores 20, 21 to receive threaded fasteners 15 for assembling the two ring halves together. Typically, the fastener head will be non-standard, for example a non-standard alien head, to make the assembly difficult to tamper with.

In normal circumstances, when the fastener is secured home to bring the flanges substantially into opposed relationship, in abutment or nearly so, the clamping ring 12 will be adequately supported on the upright post and capable of supporting substantial loads. In some instances, however, it may be desirable to provide positive engagement between the ring and the post and to this end the ring may have fine radial bores 17 through which a suitable fastening device may be driven into the post. In situ, the annular faces 22, 23 of the halves 13a, 13b of clamping ring 12 respectively define top faces 22 and bottom faces 23. Bottom faces 23 are radiused at their outside rim and extend to adjacent the surface of the post. The

top face 22a of one half 13a is provided at its inside rim with an annular recess 24. Recess 24 is defined by a half counterbore 25 with respect to the bore of inner cylindrical surface 16 and extends axially a little more than halfway towards the bottom face 23 of the ring. Recess 24 lies within the clamping ring about the post when the ring is supported from the post and extends about the post for the whole peripheral extent of ring half 13a. At its axial inner end, half counterbore 25 is provided with a peripherally extending groove 26 of semi-circular cross- section which provides an undercut formation associated with the recess. As will be explained more fully shortly, recess 24 opens in a direction parallel to the post axis , in this case upwardly, to receive a complementary depending flange 34 of support bracket 14, while groove 26 receives an annular rib 36 on this formation to lock the support bracket against separation from recess 24.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, support bracket 14 is an integral cleat which essentially consists of a flat plate 30 bounded by rounded inner and outer concentric arcuate edges 32, 33 and by angularly spaced straight edges 35a, 35b. Inner arcuate edge 32 is of substantially the same radius as inner cylindrical surface 16 of clamping ring 12 and straight edges 35a, 35b are parallel to but arcuately offset from radii to the common centre of edges 32, 33, whereby plate 30 forms a segment of an annulus. In the particular illustrated embodiment, cleat 14 has an arcuate extent of 60°, i.e. edges 35a, 35b are mutually inclined at 60 °, so that three can fit about ring-half 13a with spaces in between (because edges 35a, 35b are offset from radii).

Depending integrally from inner arcuate edge 32 is a curved flange 34 which is of course concave parallel to the plane of plate 30 and is dimensioned for a close fit in recess 24. The free end of flange 34 carries an inside rolled rib 36 of semi-circular cross-section which lies under plate 30 and is complementary to groove 26. On its top surface, plate 30 carries an array of strengthening ribs 38.

Cleat 14 is mounted to connector clamping ring 12 by inserting flange 34 into recess 24 and engaging rib 36 in groove 26. It is simply necessary to hold the cleat in place as the two clamping ring halves are brought together about a post

8 and fastened together. It will be appreciated that attachment of the clamping

ring about an upright post is simultaneously effective to secure the cleat to the ring, and that the cleat can be positioned anywhere in the 180 ° angular range defined by recess 24. The support bracket is very securely locked at its selected position between the post and die clamping ring and projects cantilever fashion from the ring. Plate 30 may simply act as a platform on which to rest other components or, more typically, it may be provided with apertures such as 31 by which other playground components such as a deck 9 (Figure 3) can be fixed to the bracket by fasteners 31a.

It will be appreciated that the assembled connector could be inverted on the post, with the cleat projecting underneath the coupling ring. This arrangement is shown in Figure 5, like components being indicated by like primed reference numerals. The most appropriate orientation will depend on the nature e.g. of appearance or load characteristics, of the component to be supported. It will also be understood that, in the assemblies shown in Figures 1 to 4, the ring halves 13a, 13b may be substantially identical, both having an annular recess 24 and undercut groove 26: the cleat 14 could then be mounted at any angular position about the post.

Figures 6 and 7 depict a particularly useful form of bracket 14" which may be substituted for the cleat 14 depicted in Figures 1 to 4. Bracket 14" still has a flat plate portion 30", an arcuate inner edge 32" with a curved flange 34", and a locking rib 36" but differs from bracket 14 in that it has parallel side edges 34", 35" and a straight outer edge 33". The bracket is also formed with an integral sleeve 60 in the form of a straight circular cylinder of substantially uniform wall thickness. In situ, cylinder 60 receives complementary rails or rods, or spigots, of circular cross-section which may form part of or support components or accessories of the playground. In this case, rib 38" is under plate 30" and engages one of several radial slots 39 in the top face 22" face of the ring to determine favoured circumferential positions for the bracket. This feature may also be included for cleat 14, e.g. where a fixed modular layout is intended. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support bracket similar to that shown in Figures 6 and 7 but dimensioned to place the rail, rod or spigot further out from the support post.

The support bracket 14 ' ' ' of Figures 9 and 10 allows for the rod, rail or spigot to be disposed very close to the support post. In this case, instead of forming the sleeve directly outwardly of the flange 34 " ' ', the bracket is in essence a straight cylindrical sleeve 60 ' ' ' with the curved flange 34 ' ' ' projecting integrally and substantially tangentially from the sleeve.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated connector assembly facilitates greater flexibility in assembling a playground. The support bracket can be at any selected angular position over a 180° or 360 ° angular range, depending on whether one or both ring halves have the required recess. A number of different support brackets can hang off the one clamping ring and thus multiple different kinds of support bracket can be moulded or cast while using a standard clamping ring half, the major part of the assembly in terms of material. This flexibility has been achieved without incurring the disadvantage of additional fasteners since the support brackets are very securely held in place without any fastener engagement between them and the mounting ring. This arrangement minimises the time and labour required for assembly of a playground. Finally, several different kinds of support brackets can be secured at the one location on an upright post, in contrast to the previous need for discreet vertically spaced connectors. This allows, inter alia, improved integrated construction between adjacent modules of a playground.

Figures 11 to 13 are a corresponding set of drawings for a connector assembly adapted to fit square upright posts rather than round posts. This arrangement is not as rotationally flexible as embodiments utilising round posts but is nevertheless within the general principles of the invention and still entails most of the advantages of the invention for play structures which include square posts. Corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numerals preceded by the numeral 1. In this arrangement, the bracket is shown on top of the ring and recess 124 opens upwardly. Support bracket 114 exhibits a right angular form and is dimensioned to fit on any of the four corners of the clamping ring 112. There are two separate strengthening ribs 138 along the circumferentially spaced extremities of the bracket. These ribs 138 extend to flange 134 and, in situ, engage respective complementary radial slots 142 in the top face 122 designed to

be complementary to the inner end of rib 138. Rib 136 is joined to ribs 138 by short webs 139 which seat in axial grooves 143 which join slots 142 to groove 126. Ribs 138 and slots 142 provide additional support and location for the support bracket. Figure 11 also shows a pair of apertures 150 for fixing playground components or accessories to the bracket.

It is to be emphasised that the illustrated connector, support bracket and connector assembly have application in a wide range of environments other than playgrounds and play structures. Althougji the invention has particular utility in this field, the components of the invention obviously have wide application.