Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a child's play gym apparatus that is suitable for climbing, hiding, sliding and/ or other play activities. More specifically, the invention relates to a child's play gym apparatus having a height-adjustable platform, a height-adjustable slide, and a staircase/ ladder /bridge that is changeable between two different orientations to reach two different heights and that is also usable as a bridge in a third orientation to connect to a second play apparatus. The invention also relates to a connector system suitable for connecting panels used in a play gym apparatus. Further, the invention relates to a removable cover, for covering a sandbox or the like in the second apparatus, that is also usable as a ramp to the sandbox when removed from the covering position.

There are a variety of conventional play gym apparatuses known. For example, U.S. Patent No. Des. 340,098 to Petersheim discloses a playhouse design including a central area accessible via three radially spaced ramps.

A variety of play gym apparatuses that incorporate a slide and a central platform are also known. For example, U.S. Patent No. Des. 340,099 to Warren, et al., U.S. Patent No. Des. 334,610 to Aker, and U.S. Patent No. Des. 343,438 to Fish, Jr. each depict playhouse designs in which a slide slopes downwardly from a central raised platform. In the gym design of the Warren, et al. patent, the raised platform is accessed via a ramp, while in the gym designs of the Aker and Fish, Jr. patents, the platform is accessed by climbing rungs and openings provided in the side panels.

Another known gym design illustrated in U.S. Patent No. Des. 303,826, also to Aker, has four side panels with various climbing rungs, a slide and a platform that extends inward horizontally only partially across the central part of the gym.

These known gym designs suffer from the disadvantage that the height of the platform and/ or slide cannot be conveniently adjusted - rather, the platform and slide heights remain fixed. The fixed platform and slide heights limit the range of ages, or sizes, of children for which the gym apparatus will be suitable to those that can safely and comfortably use a slide of that height. A small gym may need replacement with a larger model as a child grows older, or a large gym may be unsuitable for use later with a smaller child, for example. Accordingly, the lack of

adjustability of the slide height presents a detriment in the above-described designs.

The problem of having only a single slide and /or platform height is partially alleviated by the gym design disclosed in U.S. Patent No. Des. 344,773 to Aker, et al., which includes two separate platforms, each corresponding to a slide, at different heights. However, this design suffers from several drawbacks resulting from the use of multiple slides. For example, a gym including two slides takes up more space than a gym with only one slide, and may be unsuitable where space is limited. Also, the need for two distinct sets of slide components and platform components increases the overall complexity of the apparatus and raises manufacturing and shipping costs as compared to a single, height-adjustable slide and platform arrangement.

Swmmary of the Invention The drawbacks of the conventional play gym apparatuses are overcome by the apparatus of the present invention, which includes a platform and a slide both having a conveniently adjustable height. The present invention also includes a staircase/ ladder/bridge member that is changeable between two different orientations to reach two different heights, and to a third orientation to provide a bridge to connect to a second play apparatus. Further, the play gym apparatus is easily assembled using relatively few component parts and provides a connector system for connecting panels in a play gym apparatus. Additionally, the invention provides a removable cover for covering a sandbox or the like in the second apparatus that is also usable as a ramp to the sandbox when removed from the covering position.

In one aspect, the invention provides a play gym apparatus having a slide member and a gym support member, with the slide being attachable to the gym support member at either of upper and lower attachment locations on the gym support member. In another aspect, the invention provides a play gym apparatus having a platform member and a gym support member, with the platform member being mountable to the gym support member at either of upper and lower mounting locations on the gym support member.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a staircase/ ladder/ bridge member having two side portions and a plurality of step /rung portions extending between and connecting the side portions. The staircase/ ladder/ bridge member is movable between a first orientation, at which a first surface of each step /rung portion is horizontal and at which the staircase /ladder /bridge reaches a first height, and a second orientation at which a second surface of each step /rung portion is horizontal and at which the staircase/ladder/bridge reaches a second height different than the first height. The staircase/ ladder/ bridge is also movable to a third orientation to provide a bridge to connect one play apparatus to another play apparatus.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a slide member that is also attachable to two play apparatuses to form a bridge connecting the two play apparatuses.

In even another aspect, the invention provides a play apparatus including a removable cover for covering a cavity in the play apparatus, where the cover is also usable as a ramp to the apparatus when removed from the covering position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view, taken from the front-left, showing the play gym apparatus with the slide and platform in a first, lower position.

Fig. IB is a perspective view, taken from the front-right, showing the play gym apparatus with the slide and platform in a second, raised position.

Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E are front, rear, left side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the front house panel. Fig. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the front house panel, taken along line A-

A in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 2G is a cross-sectional view of the front house panel, taken along line B- B in Fig. 2B.

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F are front, rear, right side, left side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the door panel.

Fig. 3G is a cross-sectional view of the door panel taken along line C-C in Fig. 3A.

Figs.4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are front, rear, top and bottom views, respectively.

of the rear house panel.

Figs.4E is a cross-sectional view of the rear house panel taken along line D- D in Fig.4A.

Fig.4F is a cross-sectional view of the rear house panel taken along line E-E in Fig.4A.

Fig. 4G is a cross-sectional view of the rear house panel taken along line F-F in Fig. 4A.

Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are front, rear, right side and top views, respectively, of the side climbing panel. Fig. 5E is a cross-sectional view of the side climbing panel taken along line

G-G in Fig.5A.

Fig. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the side climbing panel taken along line H-H in Fig.5A.

Fig. 5G is a bottom view of the side climbing panel, (with a partial cross- section taken along line I-I in Fig. 5A).

Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are front, rear, right side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the center panel.

Fig.6F is a cross-sectional view of the center panel taken along line J-J in Fig. 6B. Fig. 6G is a cross-sectional view of the center panel taken along line K-K in

Fig. 6B.

Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are front, rear, right side, left side and top views, respectively, of the deck panel.

Fig. 7F is a cross-sectional view of the deck panel taken along line L-L in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 7G is a cross-sectional view of the deck panel taken along line M-M in Fig.7B.

Fig. 7H is a cross-sectional view of the deck panel taken along line N-N in Fig. 7A. Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E are front, rear, left side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the side arched panel.

Fig. 8F is a cross-sectional view of the side arched panel taken along line O- O in Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8G is a cross-sectional view of the side arched panel taken along line P-P in Fig.8B.

Fig.8H is a cross-sectional view of the side arched panel taken along line Q- Q in Fig.8B. Figs. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are front, right side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the deck platform panel.

Fig. 9E is a cross-sectional view of the deck platform panel taken along line R-R in Fig. 9C.

Figs. 10A, 10B, IOC and 10D are front, left side, top and bottom views, respectively of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member.

Figs. 10E is a cross-sectional view taken along line S-S in Fig. IOC.

Figs. 10F, 10G and 10H are cross-sectional views of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member taken along line T-T in Fig. IOC.

Figs. 11 A, 11B, 11C and 11D are front, right side, left side, and bottom views, respectively, of the first slide member.

Fig. HE is a cross-sectional view of the first slide member taken along line U-U in Fig. 11D.

Fig. 12A and 12B are a front and top view, respectively, of a connecting cross bar. Fig. 13A is a front view of a female connector slot and Fig. 13B is a cross- sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 13 A.

Fig. 14A and 14B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of a male connector key.

Fig. 15A is a top plan view of the play gym apparatus connected to the second play apparatus by the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member in a horizontal bridge mode.

Fig. 15B is a top plan view of the second play apparatus connected to the play gym apparatus by the second slide /bridge member in a horizontal bridge mode. Fig. 15C is a top plan view of the second play apparatus.

Fig. 16 is a front view of the second play apparatus with a partial view of the slide/ bridge member in the horizontal bridge mode.

Fig. 17 is a rear view of the second play apparatus, with a partial view of the

staircase/ ladder/ bridge member in the horizantal bridge mode.

Fig. 18A and 18B are a side view and a top view of the base member of the second play apparatus with the cover covering the cavity.

Fig. 18C and 18D are a side view and a top view of the base member with the cover in a ramp position.

Figs. 19A and 19B are top and side views, respectively, of a second slide/ bridge member.

Fig.20 is a front view of the second play apparatus.

Fig. 21 is a side view of the second play apparatus.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is described below in the context of a preferred embodiment including a play gym apparatus 10 and a second play apparatus 200, along with a preferred embodiment of the connector system 300 used in the play gym apparatus 1 and the second play apparatus 200.

L Play Gym Apparatus

A preferred embodiment of the play gym apparatus 10, as illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB, includes a front house panel 20 having a door 30 hingedly mounted thereto, with a rear house panel 40 and the front house panel 20 connected to a side climbing panel 50 and a center panel 60. A deck panel 70 is connected to a side arched panel 80 and the center panel 60. The center panel 60, the deck panel 70 and the side arched panel 80 support a platform panel 90 so that it is adjustable between upper and lower height positions.

A staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is attachable between the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80, and is reversible between two orientations to reach the platform panel 90 at either height position. The staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is also mountable between the center panel 60 and the arched panel 80 in a ramp orientation to provide a generally horizontal bridge for connecting to a second play apparatus 300. The second play apparatus 300 is described below under a separate heading.

A slide member 150 is mountable at one end to the side arched panel 80 at either of two heights, in accordance with the platform height.

A connecting cross bar 170 is releasably attachable to the center panel 60 at one end, and the side arched panel 80 at the other end, to secure the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 between the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80.

The panels 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 are connected to one another as shown by male connectors (keys) that fit into female connectors (slots) in adjoining panels. Panels 60, 70 and 80 also form a gym support structure onto which the deck platform panel 90 is mountable and to which the staircase/ladder/bridge member 100 and the slide member 150 are also attachable.

As shown in Figs. 2A through 2G, the front house panel 20 includes a doorway opening 21 and an upper opening 22. The doorway opening 21 has a hinge extension 25 and upper and lower hinge pins 26. Female connectors 23 are engageable with male connectors 55 on the side climbing panel 50 to connect the front house panel 20 to the side climbing panel 50. Male connectors 24 are engageable with female connectors 63 on the center panel 60 to connect the front house panel 20 to the center panel 60.

The door panel 30, shown in Figs. 3A through 3G, is hingedly connected to the front house panel 20 and swings outwardly. The door panel 30 includes a handle 31 and upper and lower hinge sockets 32 that receive hinge pins 26 on the front house panel 20 to hingedly mount the door 30 to the front house panel 20.

Turning to Figs.4A through 4H, the rear house panel 40 includes a central opening 41 and horizontal climbing openings 42. Female connectors 43 are engageable with male connectors 63 on the center panel 60 to connect the rear house panel 40 to the center panel 60, and female connectors 44 are engageable with male connectors 54 on the side climbing panel 50 to connect the rear house panel 40 to the side climbing panel 50. Grooves 45 and 46 are provided for attaching an end of an arched bridge of a second additional play apparatus as described in detail below.

As seen in Figs. 5A through 5G, the side climbing panel 50 includes an upper opening 51 and arcuate climbing openings 52. Ribs 53 are provided adjacent the upper opening 51 which can serve as hand grabs. Male connectors 54 are

engageable with female connectors 44 on the rear house panel 40 to connect the side climbing panel 50 to the rear house panel 40. Male connectors 55 are engageable with female connectors 23 on the front house panel 20 to connect the side climbing panel 50 to the front house panel 20. Referring now to Figs.6A through 6G, the center panel 60 includes horizontal climbing openings 62 and vertical openings 61. Female connectors 63 are engageable with male connectors 24 on the front house panel 20 to connect the center panel 60 to the front house panel 20. Female connectors 64 are engageable with male connectors 73 on the rear deck panel 70 to connect the center panel 60 to the rear deck panel 70. Male connectors 65 are engageable with female connectors 43 on the rear house panel 40 to connect the center panel 60 to the rear house panel 40.

As best shown in Figs.6A and 6C, the center panel 60 includes shoulders 66a and 66b, which help support the platform panel 90. A foot 92 of the platform panel 90 can rest on either of the shoulders 66a or 66b. Holes 67a and 67b are provided so that a fastener may be inserted through the appropriate hole to fasten into a jacknut 99 in the foot 92 to secure the platform 90 at the desired height. Sockets 68a, 68b and 68c are also provided as shown for attachment of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100. The sockets 68a, 68b and 68c are each shaped to receive and hold pegs 141, 144, and 143, respectively, which are provided on the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100, as discussed further below with respect to the staircase /ladder/ bridge member 100. A socket 69 is provided for the attachment of a connecting cross bar 70 that is releasably attachable between the front lower parts of the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80 to help retain the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 200 in place, as directed in more detail below. Figs. 7A through 7H show the rear deck panel 70, including vertical openings 71. Male connectors 72 are engageable with female connectors 82 on the side arched panel 80 to connect the deck panel 70 to the side arched panel 80. Male connectors 73 are engageable with to female connectors 64 on the side panel 60 connect the deck panel 70 to the side panel 60. The upper and lower grooves 74 and 75 are engageable by the tab 91 of the platform panel 90 to help support the deck panel 90 in the upper or lower position, respectively.

Figs. 8A through 8H show the side arched panel 80, including a large central

opening 81, and female connectors 82 that are engageable with male connectors 72 on the deck panel 70 to connect the side arched panel 80 to the deck panel 70.

As best shown in Figs. 8B and 8F, the side arched panel 80 includes shoulders 86a and 86b, similar to shoulders 66a and 66b, which help support the platform panel 90 at either of two heights. A foot 93 of the platform panel 90 can rest on either of the shoulders 86a or 86b. Holes 87a and 87b are provided so that a fastener may be inserted through the appropriate hole to fasten into a jacknut 99 in the foot 92 to secure the platform 90 at the desired height. Sockets 88a, 88b, and 88c are also provided as shown for attachment of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100. The sockets 88a, 88b and 88c are each shaped to receive and hold pegs 142, 143 and 144 respectively, which are provided on the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100, as discussed further below with respect to the staircase/ ladder /bridge member 100. Socket 89, similar to socket 69, is provided for attachment of a connecting cross bar 170 that is releasably attachable between the front lower parts of the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80. Grooves 83a, 83b, 84a and 84b are provided for attachment of the slide member 150 at either of two heights. The grooves 83a and 83b receive and hold the peg 153 on the slide member 150 at two heights and the grooves 84a and 84b similarly receive and hold the peg 154.

As shown in Figs.9A through 9E, the deck platform panel 90 includes an extension tab 91 for engagement with the slot 74 or 75 in the deck panel 70, as well as a foot 92 that rests on the shoulders 66a or 66b in the center panel 60 and a foot 93 that rests on shoulders 86a on 86b on the arched panel 80. In the upper position, the platform panel 90 rests with the tab 91 engaged in the upper slot 74 and with the feet 92 and 93 resting on the shoulders 66a and 86a respectively. In the lower position, the platform panel 90 rests with the tab 91 engaged in the lower slot 75 and with the feet 92 and 93 resting on the shoulders 66b and 86b respectively. A jacknut 99 is provided in each foot 92 and 93 to receive a fastener extending through holes 67a or 67b in the center panel 60 and holes 87a or 87b in the side panel 80 to secure the platform of the desired height. A hand-hold groove 94 is provided to facilitate gripping the platform for installation and removal.

As seen in Figs. 10A through 10E, the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member has two side wall portions 148 and 149 located on opposite sides of the stair/ ladder rung portions 101, 102, and 103. Pegs 141, 142, 143 and 144 are provided for

attaching the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 to the gym by inserting an opposed pair of pegs into appropriate sockets 68a, 68b, and 68c in the center panel 60 and sockets 88a, 88b and 88c in the side arched panel 80. As discussed in more detail below, the peg 141 is larger in diameter than the peg 142, and the peg 143 is larger in diameter than the peg 144 and the sockets 68a, 68b, 68c, 88a, 88b and 88c are sized differently according to the peg that they are intended to receive. This feature assures that the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 will be attached in the correct orientations, as described in more detail below.

The staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is changeable between three orientations: a generally vertical ladder orientation (shown in Figure 10F), an angled stair orientation (shown in Fig. 10G), and a substantially horizontal bridge orientation (shown in Fig. 10H).

Each of the step/ rung portions 101, 102, and 103 has a shape as shown in cross-sectional view in Figs. 10F, 10G and 10H, and each has a ladder tread surface 111, 112, 113 that is substantially horizontal when the ladder/ staircase member 100 is in the ladder orientation shown in Fig. 10F and a stair tread surface 121, 122, 123 disposed at an angle relative to the respective ladder tread surface, so that the stair tread surface 121, 122, 123 is horizontal when the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member is in the stair orientation shown in Fig. 10G. Each step/ rung portion also has a bridge surface 131, 132, 133 as shown. The bridge surfaces 131, 132, 133 are parallel and are substantially co-planar so that they together form a bridge surface suitable for walking on when the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is extended horizontally in the bridge orientation as shown in Fig. 10H. In the bridge orientation, the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is supported at one end by the play gym apparatus 10 and at the other end by a second play apparatus 200, to provide a horizonal bridge surface spanning between and connecting the two apparatuses.

Further details of the connection of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member to the center panel 60 and side arched panel 80 are as follows. In the upright, ladder orientation, the peg 141 is inserted into the socket 68a and the peg 142 is inserted into the socket 88a. Since the peg 141 is larger in diameter than the peg 142, and since the socket 88a is correspondingly smaller than the socket 68a, the user cannot insert the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 into the wrong sockets (e.g. slots

68b and 88b) with the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 in this orientation.

In the angled, stair orientation, the peg 144 is inserted into the socket 68b and the peg 143 is inserted into the socket 88b. Since the peg 143 is larger than the peg 144 and socket 68b is correspondingly smaller than the socket 88b, , the user cannot insert the staircase /ladder/ bridge member 100 into the wrong sockets (e.g. sockets 68a and 88a) with the staircase /ladder/ bridge member 100 in this orientation.

In the horizontal, bridge orientation, the peg 143 is inserted into the socket 68c and the peg 144 is inserted into the socket 88c, and the other end of the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is supported by the second play apparatus. The connecting cross bar 170 illustrated in Figs. 12A and 12B is provided to connect sockets 69 and 89. Each end 171 and 172 has tabs that fit into the sockets 69 and 89 so that if the end is inserted and rotated 90°, it locks into the socket.

The procedure for installing the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100 is as follows. First, the fasteners attached to the platform jacknuts 99 through holes 66a and 86a or 66B and 86B are removed, and the connecting cross bar 170 is also removed, which permits some free play at the front ends of the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80. This allows the front ends of the center panel 60 and the side arched panel 80 to be spread apart sufficiently so that pegs 141 and 142 or 143 and 144 of the staircase /ladder/ bridge member 100 may be inserted into appropriate sockets 68a, 68b or 68c and 88a, 88b or 88c. Then the front ends of the center panel 60 and the arched panel 80 are urged together to receive and hold the pegs 141 and 142 in the sockets 68a, 68b or 68c and 88a, 88b or 88c to securely attach the staircase /ladder/ bridge member 100. At this point, one end 171 of the connecting cross bar 170 is inserted into socket 69 and its other end 172 is inserted into socket 89. The ends 171 and 172 mate with the sockets 69 and 89 so that twisting the connecting cross bar 170 to rotate it around it's longitudinal axis causes the ends 171 and 172 to tighten and lock in the sockets 69 and 89. This holds the front ends of the center panel 60 and side arched panel 80 together and ensures that the pegs 141 and 142 on 143 and 144 on the staircase/ ladder /bridge member 100 member are secured in the sockets 68a, 68b on 68c and 88a, 88b or 88c. Also, fasteners are screwed into jacknuts 99 on the platform 90 through holes 67a and 87b or 67b and 87b.

To remove the staircase/ ladder/ bridge member 100, the process is reversed; the fasteners attached to the platform jacknuts 99 through holes 66a and 86a or 66b and 86b are removed, and the connecting cross bar 170 is rotated in the opposite direction to free the ends 171 and 172 from the sockets 69 and 89, and the bar 170 is removed. Next, the front ends of the center panel 60 and side arched panel 80 are spread apart so that the pegs disengage the sockets to permit removal of the staircase/ ladder/bridge member 100.

Referring now to Fig. 11A through HE, the first slide member 150 is a trough- type slide with high sides 151 as shown. Pegs 153 and 154 are provided for mounting the slide 150 to the arched panel 80. In the upper slide position, peg 153 is inserted into groove 83a and peg 154 is inserted into groove 84a; in the lower slide position, peg 153 is inserted into groove 83b and peg 154 is inserted into groove 84b.

2. Additional Play Apparatus A preferred embodiment of the second play apparatus 200 will now be described in detail, referring to Figs. 15A through 21B. The second play apparatus 200 provides a castle themed play apparatus having a base member 300 and including a front castle panel 210 connected to a rear castle panel 220 by a an upper side connector 231 and lower side connector 232 and a center connector 240. The side connectors 231 and 232 and center connector 240 have keys that interconnect with slots in the front and rear castle panels as shown and the side connectors 231 and 232 and center connector 240 also have rungs for climbing up to a high platform 250. A rear ladder panel 260 has rungs 261 for climbing up to a low platform 270, and a small castle panel 280 is connected to the front castle panel 210. A second slide bridge 290 may be attached to the ladder panel 260 and the small side castle panel 200 by pegs 291, 292 on the slide 290, which fit into sockets in the ladder panel 260 and in the small castle panel 200. Pegs 293, 294 may also be provided for use when the slide/ bridge 240 is also attached to the other play gym apparatus 10 in the bridge mode. The second slide/ bridge 290 may also be flipped over into the position shown in Fig. 16 forming an arched bridge with one end connected to the second play apparatus and the other and connected to the rear house panel 40 at grooves

45 and 46, to connect the second play apparatus 200 to the play gym apparatus 10. Also, the staircase /ladder/ slide member 100 is attachable to the front and rear castle panels 210 and 220 at the side having the side connectors 231, 232, as shown in Fig. 17 Sockets 211, 221 are provided in the side connectors 210, 220 for this attachment.

Accordingly, several possible connected configurations among the play apparatuses are possible. As shown in Fig. 15A, the staircase/ ladder/ bridge mber 100 may be connected at one end to the sockets 68c and 88c in the play gym apparatus is the horizantal bridge mode discussed above, with the other end connected to sockets 211 and 221 in the second play apparatus as shown in Fig. 17. In another configuration shown in Figure 15B, the second slide/ bridge member 290 may be flipped over into a horizontal, arched bridge mode with one end connected to sockets 45 and 46 in the rear house panel 40 of the play gym apparatus and the other end connected to sockets 261 and 281 in the second play apparatus.

A sandbox member 300 having a cavity 305 usable as a sand pit is located at the base of the area under the high platform 250 and is attached to the base of each of the front castle panel 210 and the rear castle panel 220. A removable cover 310 is positionable over the sandbox 300 to cover the cavity 305 as shown in Fig. 18A. When removed, the cover 310 may be attached to the edge of the sandbox 300 with posts 311, 312 fitted in slots 301, 302 to hold the cover 310 in a ramp position where the top surface of the cover 310 serves as a ramp surface leading up to the sandbox 300 as shown in Fig. 18B. When the cover 310 is not used, or when it is in the closed configuration, steps 315 lead up to the cavity 305 or to the cover 310. Although the cavity 305 is described as usable as a sandbox pit, the sandbox

300 may take the form of, or be used as, any type of play member having a cavity suitable for being covered. By way of example only, the cavity 305 may alternatively be suitable as a toy box.

Connector System An example of the connector system 400 including the male and female connectors used in the invention to connect the various panels to one another will now be described. Although this connector system is used in the preferred

embodiment, other connecting systems, including, for example, other key and slot type connectors may be used. The male connector 401 and female connector 450 described below are representative of the general configuration of the male and female connectors used throughout the play gym apparatus 10 and the second play apparatus 200.

The male connector 401 projects from a panel to be connected and includes a key 402 having a body 410 and a rib 420, with the thickness of the body 410 being greater than the thickness of the rib 420. The body 410 has an upper portion 411 that is of the same thickness as, and continuous with, a lower portion 412. Surfaces 413 and 414 adjoin the rib 420 and the body 410. The inclusion of the rib 420 is advantageous in the manufacturing context when the panel and the male connector 400 are hollow and roto-molded (or blow molded) from plastic, since the rib 420 facilitates the flow of plastic to the lower portion 412 during the molding process. The female connector 450 includes an aperture 460 extending through the other panel to be connected and having a width at least as great as the thickness of the key 410. A pair of shoulders 470 are located on both sides of a lower portion of the aperture 460 and are shaped to fit against the rib 420. The height between the top surface 473 of the shoulders 470 and the top end of the aperture 460 is at least as large as the overall height of the key 401 to permit sufficient clearance for the key 410 to be inserted into the aperture 460 above the shoulders 470, so that the lower portion 412 will clear the shoulders 470.

Generally, to perform the insertion of the key 401 into the aperture 460, the panel with the key 401 is raised relative to the panel with the aperture 460. Once the key 401 is inserted, the panel with the key 401 is lowered so that the bottom 415 of the key 401 rests on the bottom 462 of the aperture 460. The surfaces 413 of the key 401 then also rests on the top surfaces 473 of the ridges 470. The surface 414 may have a curved shape and the surface 474 may have a corresponding curved shape to help resist the key 401 disengaging from the aperture 460 by resisting upward movement of the key 401 relative to the aperture 460.

4, Manufacturing Methods

In the preferred embodiment described above, most of the various panels and members are manufactured using low density polyethylene in a roto-molding

process. However, other suitable materials and/ or any other suitable molding or other manufacturing methods, including for example blow molding, may be used to manufacture any or all of the components. Also, in the preferred embodiment the elements are generally of a hollow construction; however, they may of course be molded or formed as solid parts from any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, wood or metal.