Climbing pyramid

Abstract

Climbing pyramid (10) comprising: - a central mast (12); - several side surface elements (16); - a fixing element (14) between two adjacent side surface elements (16), wherein the two adjacent side surface elements (16) are reversibly connected to the fixing element (14); wherein the fixing element (14) is designed as a chain which can be connected to an anchorage (20) via a tensioning element (18); and wherein the clamping element (18) is designed to apply a tensile stress to the fixing element (14) and to adjust the tensile stress.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to playground equipment and in particular to climbing pyramids. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Climbing pyramids are among the most attractive and pedagogically valuable pieces of playground equipment because they present a challenge, provide a sense of height and accomplishment when climbing, are not monotonous, and offer varying levels of difficulty. Typical climbing pyramids are usually composed of several ropes that are fixed and tensioned at specific points. However, assembly—that is, installation and tensioning—can be time-consuming, and maintenance can be complicated, especially with larger climbing pyramids. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved climbing pyramid in which the installation effort is reduced and maintenance is simplified. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Further examples are given in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to the invention, a climbing pyramid is provided, comprising a central mast, several side panel elements, and a fixing element between each pair of adjacent side panel elements. The two adjacent side panel elements are reversibly connected to the fixing element. The fixing element is designed as a chain that can be connected to an anchor via a tensioning element, and the tensioning element is designed to apply a tensile tension to the fixing element and to adjust the tensile tension.

[0005] The term "reversibly connected" refers to the fact that the side surface elements are connected to a fixing element via one, preferably several, connecting elements and can be detached from it again. Connecting elements can be, for example, shackles or other suitable connecting elements.

[0006] The chain, for example, has several chain links, and according to one embodiment, the chain links are made of metal or steel. Preferably, the chain meets the standards required for playground equipment and has neither finger catching / pinch points nor sharp edges.

[0007] In current technology, ropes with a certain degree of elasticity are used for the entire pyramid, for the areas to be climbed, and for the pyramid edges between the faces. These are usually twisted textile or plastic ropes with a steel cable or strand core, the elasticity resulting primarily from the twist of the ropes, which unwinds slightly under tension and load, thus changing (especially increasing) the length of such ropes and thereby reducing the tension in the ropes.

[0008] A chain used as a fixing element between the side panel elements, unlike the ropes typically used, exhibits very little to no elasticity. This has the advantage that little to no retensioning is necessary when connecting the fixing element to the anchor, as the chain material yields little or not at all. Consequently, adjusting the tension on the fixing element via the tensioning element can be achieved more quickly than when using ropes.

[0009] According to one embodiment, a side element of the climbing pyramid consists of several vertical ropes and several horizontal ropes that are connected to each other at their intersection points. Connecting elements such as ball connectors or cross connectors can be used, for example, to join the vertical and horizontal ropes.

[0010] According to one embodiment, each side panel element is reversibly attached to the mast via at least one of the vertical cables. Reversibly attached means that the attachment can be released. The attachment can be achieved, for example, with shackles or other suitable connecting elements.

[0011] According to one embodiment, at least one horizontal cable is hooked into the chain or positively connected to it in order to reversibly connect the corresponding side panel element to the fixing element. The horizontal cables can be detached from the chain and reconnected to it. Examples of connecting elements used for this purpose between the side panel elements and the chain are shackles or other suitable connecting elements.

[0012] As an option, side surface elements of any other type are also possible, such as nets or any other climbable wall structures that can be detachably attached to the mast and chain.

[0013] The ability to detach the side panel element vertically from the mast and horizontally from the chain(s) means that the side panel elements can be easily and directly replaced on site, so that the side panels can be redesigned quickly and easily, for example in different colors.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the clamping element is designed to allow a change in its effective length, thereby varying the tensile stress on the fixing element. The term "effective length" refers to the distance between two connection points of the clamping element between the anchor and the fixing element. By changing the distance between the connection points, the tensile stress on the fixing element is directly influenced and can thus be varied.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the tensioning element is a turnbuckle. The term "turnbuckle" refers to a mechanical tensioning tool used to tighten or retension ropes, wire ropes, chains, or bars. It consists, for example, of a metal sleeve with opposing internal threads and a threaded fork on each side. By turning the sleeve, the ends are drawn together and the chain is tensioned. Any other suitable tensioning systems can also be used as tensioning elements to adjust the tension on the fixing elements.

[0016] The climbing pyramid can have three or more side surface elements, and the side surface elements can be detachably attached to the mast at different locations and heights.

[0017] One aspect of the design is a climbing pyramid where the side panels are reversibly fixed to chains instead of ropes. The chains act as fixing elements between adjacent side panels at the pyramid's edges, which are anchored to the ground. During assembly, the anchored ropes are then tensioned to the desired level, for example, using turnbuckles.

[0018] The tensioning range of the tensioning element is usually limited and, when using ropes, is insufficient to achieve the necessary tension in a single operation. Therefore, the tensioning process typically needs to be repeated at least once, and sometimes even several times. This process is time-consuming, especially when dealing with a larger pyramid with, for example, eight supporting cables (fixing elements).

[0019] When using chains, however, half the tensioning range may be sufficient on the first attempt, significantly reducing the assembly time for the tensioning process (in one example of pyramids with four fixing elements, the tensioning process can be reduced to just 15 minutes). With pyramids using ropes, on the other hand, a tensioning process can take approximately 60 minutes or longer, depending on the size of the pyramid. After the first few weeks following installation, the ropes need to be retensioned because they "settle" due to use, meaning they lose tension. This is not the case with chains, thus eliminating both travel time for personnel and the labor involved in retensioning. Maintenance intervals are also extended, as retensioning is either unnecessary or only required much later.

[0020] Another advantage is the ease of maintenance and modularity: the side panels can be easily removed and even replaced on-site. This also allows the colors or designs of the side panels to be easily changed or adapted to customer requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] An embodiment of the invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic example of a climbing pyramid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS

[0022] The in Fig.The schematic representation shown in Figure 1 is an example of a climbing pyramid 10, which has three side surface elements 16, with a fixing element 14 arranged between each pair of adjacent side surface elements 16. The side surface elements 16 are triangular and consist of a vertical rope and several horizontal ropes, which are connected to each other at their intersection points (vertical and horizontal ropes are only schematically indicated here for one of the three side surface elements 16).

[0023] The fixing elements 14 between the side panel elements 16 are each designed as a chain into which the side panel elements 16 are suspended via the horizontal ropes. A vertical rope of each side panel element 16 is reversibly attached to the upper end of the mast 12. To assemble the climbing pyramid 10, the chains are connected to the anchor points 20 via turnbuckles (which form the tensioning elements 18), and tension is applied and adjusted to the chains by the turnbuckles. This gives the climbing toy its pyramid shape. Reference symbol: 10 Climbing pyramid 12 masts 14 fixing element 16 side surface element 18 clamping elements 20 Anchoring

Images