Modular playground assemblies

Abstract

 Three separate arrangements of modular playground assemblies may be constructed from identically shaped support members and one of three different crossbars. Playground equipment such as a platform member, a slide member and swing devices can be attached to the basic assemblies. The support member is preferably a unitary, molded plastic member, having openings therethrough to serve as steps and an access opening to accommodate climbing and other play by children using the assemblies. The basic components can be selectively combined into units for distribution and use in making one of the three assemblies.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-part of Application Serial No. 08/247,742, filed May 23, 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to playground equipment and more particularly to a modular playground assembly that includes modular support members adapted to be combined in different manners so as to create a variety of different playground assemblies.

[0003] Equipment such as swing sets, slides and climbing houses have become a staple of children's playgrounds. A wide variety of such playground equipment has been made. For example, conventional swing sets have crossbars supported above the ground by pairs of downwardly diverging steel support legs. Playground slide assemblies having individual ground supported frame structures are well known. Climbing structures of different constructions having platforms for children to climb onto and slides attached thereto are also well known. Furthermore, equipment has been developed to attach playground slide assemblies to conventional swing sets. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,141,670 discloses a playground slide assembly adapted for end outboard attachment to a conventional swing set.

[0004] Conventional swing sets involve a multitude of nuts and bolts, and take quite a few hours to assemble, often by parents without much experience while anxious children wait to use the new equipment. Once constructed, the nuts and bolts present sharp edges that must be dealt with. Further, such nut and bolt arrangements often loosen during use. Reducing or eliminating such nut and bolt arrangements is the subject of U.S. Patents No. 3,704,849 and No. 4,094,503.

[0005] The tubular steel leg members and connecting crosspieces and hardware of conventional playground equipment tend to rust where the playground equipment is exposed to the elements. Many manufacturers therefore apply multiple layers of paint and protective coatings where possible, or use stainless steel. This adds to the expense of the playground equipment. In the case of coatings, the coatings may scratch or wear off, leading to the eventual deterioration of the steel components. A playground assembly without these drawbacks would therefore be a great improvement.

[0006] Conventional playground equipment does not provide either the user or manufacturer with much flexibility in configuring different assemblies. For example, combining a slide with a swing set requires the use of awkward extension equipment. Recently, some manufacturers have developed molded plastic playground assemblies, some combining climbing towers, swings or slides. To make such combinations, manufacturers must undertake considerable expense and make a variety of different parts. Thus, modular playground equipment that can easily be configured to form different assemblies and that does not require a manufacturer to make a multitude of different parts, particularly different large plastic molded parts that require a separate mold for each part, would be a great improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention overcomes the foregoing difficulties by providing modular playground equipment that is easy to assemble, is predominately made of plastic parts that do not rust, and uses unique universal support members that allow a manufacturer to procure one mold and produce support members that can be used to make a swing set, a slide assembly, and a combined swing set and slide assembly.

[0008] In one aspect, the invention is a method of assembling modular playground equipment comprising the steps of providing a crossbar and at least two identically shaped, molded, plastic support members, each support member having a base for resting on a support surface and an upper region having a support ledge for receiving and supporting one end of the crossbar; securing one end of the crossbar onto the support ledge of each support member; resting the base of each support member on the support surface, resulting in the crossbar being supported in a spaced relationship to the support surface; and attaching playground equipment to the crossbar and/or one or more of the support members.

[0009] In a second aspect, the invention is a playground assembly support member comprising a front wall, a pair of side walls extending from the front wall, a back wall connected to the pair of side walls opposite the front wall, the front, back and side walls defining a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface, a middle region and an upper region, the support member being of a unitary molded plastic construction, the upper region having an aperture through the back wall adapted to receive a crossbar extending generally perpendicular to the support member.

[0010] In a third aspect, the invention is a playground assembly comprising at least two identically shaped, molded plastic support members each comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface and an upper region adapted to receive a crossbar, and a crossbar supported in spaced relation to the support surface with one end of the crossbar received in said upper region of each support member.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the invention is a playground apparatus comprising a pair of identically shaped, unitary support members, each support member comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface, a middle region and an upper region; a crossbar member comprising first and second ends, the first end coupled to the upper region of one of the unitary support members and the second end coupled to the upper region of the other unitary support member; a platform member comprising first and second opposed sides, the first side coupled to the middle region of one of the unitary support members and the second side coupled to the middle region of the other unitary support member; and a slide member coupled to the platform member.

[0012] In a fifth aspect, the invention is a playground apparatus comprising a metal crossbar comprising first and second ends, the crossbar being adapted to support swing devices; and first and second support members, each support member being formed of plastic and being molded as a unitary structure comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface and an upper region, the upper region of the first support member being coupled to the first end of the crossbar and the upper region of the second support member being coupled to the second end of the crossbar, whereby the first and second unitary support members support the crossbar in spaced relationship to the support surface.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, the invention is a combination of eight members, three of which fit together to form a swing set and four of which fit together to form a playground slide, the eight members comprising three crossbars, two being straight and of different lengths, one having a T-shape; three identically shaped, universal support members, each support member having a base for resting on a support surface and an upper region having a surface for supporting an end of the crossbar; a platform member adapted to be supported by a pair of the universal support members; and a slide member adapted to be connected to the platform member.

[0014] In a seventh aspect, the invention is a method of manufacturing and distributing modular playground assemblies comprising the steps of providing a plurality of identically shaped plastic, molded support members; providing a plurality of platform members, each adapted to be supported by two of the support members; providing a plurality of slide members; providing a plurality of crossbars adapted to be coupled with the support members, some of the crossbars having a T-shape; grouping two of the support members and one of the crossbars to be sold as a unit for making a swing set; grouping two of the support members, one of the crossbars, one of the platform members and one of the slide members to be sold as a unit for making a slide assembly; and grouping three of the support members, one of the T-shape crossbars, one of the platform members and one of the slide members to be sold as a unit for making a swing set with a slide.

[0015] In an eighth aspect, the invention is a playground assembly support member comprising a monolithic, molded plastic body having a base region for resting the support member on a support surface and an upper region for supporting a crossbar, the body having a generally A-shape configuration with the base being substantially wider than the upper region.

[0016] With the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturer only has to fabricate six different major components, yet can group those components into three different groups that can be used to build three different playground assemblies. The preferred universal support member provides a structural support that is easy to assemble with the other structural members, has a pleasing aesthetic appearance and produces a swing set, slide or combined swing set and slide. Being molded of plastic, the support member does not rust. The support member does not have braces bolted on with nuts and bolts at play level. These and other advantages of the present invention will be best understood in view of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first modular playground assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second modular playground assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third modular playground assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the universal support members of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the support member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a right elevational view of the support member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a left elevational view of the support member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the support member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the support member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the top portion of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the platform member of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the platform member of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a view of an anchoring system that can be used to secure the support members of FIGS. 1-3 to the support surface; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] FIGS. 1-3 show three separate modular playground assemblies that can be assembled from the basic structural members of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a swing set 5, FIG. 2 shows a playground slide assembly 10, and FIG. 3 shows a combined swing set and slide combination 15.

[0019] Not counting the various swinging devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which are conventional and shown only as representative of the variety of swinging devices that can be used with the present invention, there are only six different basic parts used to make the three separate modular playground assemblies 5, 10 and 15. First, it should be noted that the end support member 20 is identically shaped in each instance. Not only are the two support members 20 the same for swing set 5 (FIG. 1), but they are the same for playground slide assembly 10 (FIG. 2), and all three support members 20 used to make the swing set and slide combination 15 (FIG. 3) are identically shaped. Second, the platform member 50 and slide member 70 used in the playground slide assembly 10 (FIG. 2) are identical to the platform member 50 and slide member 70 used in the swing set and slide combination 15 (FIG. 3). The crossbar in each assembly, however, differs. In the swing set 5 (FIG. 1), crossbar 81 is a long, straight tubular member. In the playground slide assembly 10 (FIG. 2), the cross bar 82 is a short, straight tubular member. In the swing set and slide combination 15 (FIG. 3), the crossbar 83 is T-shaped, with a long straight tubular piece 84, preferably welded to a short, straight cross member 85 of the same length as crossbar 82.

[0020] Thus, out of a combination of eight members (three crossbars 81, 82 and 83, three support members 20, one platform member 50 and one slide member 70), any of the three playground assemblies 5, 10 or 15 can be built. Three of the eight members (long crossbar 81 and two support members 20) fit together to form swing set 10 (FIG. 1). Four of the eight members (short crossbar 82, two support members 20, platform member 50 and slide member 70) fit together to form playground slide assembly 10 (FIG. 2). Six of the eight members (T-shaped crossbar 83, three support members 20, platform member 50 and slide member 70) fit together to make the swing set and slide combination 15 (FIG. 3).

[0021] Thus, by using the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturer may market all three modular playground assemblies 5, 10 and 15 by molding or otherwise providing a plurality of identically shaped support members 20, a plurality of platform members 50, a plurality of slide members 70 and a plurality of crossbars 81, 82, 83, with some of the crossbars 83 having a T-shape. Two of the support members 20 and a crossbar 81 are then grouped to be sold as a unit for making a swing set 5, two of the support members 20, a short crossbar 82, a platform member 50 and a slide member 20 are then grouped and sold as a unit for making a playground slide assembly 10, and three of the support members 20, a T-shaped crossbar 83, a platform member 50 and a slide member 70 are then grouped and sold as a unit for making a swing set and slide combination 15.

[0022] FIGS. 4-11 and 17 show a support member 20 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail. The preferred support member 20 is a unitary, monolithic member having an overall A-shape, with a lower region 22, a middle region 24 and an upper region 26. The lower region 22 is substantially wider than the top of the upper region 26, preferably by a factor of three or more. The lower region 22 includes a base 21 for resting on the ground or another support surface. Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 9, the base 21 has three distinct ground contact areas. The support member 20 includes a front wall 31, a back wall 33 and side walls 35 and 37 extending from the front wall 31 to the back wall 33. The support member 20 is preferably formed by a blow molding process, as known in the art. This process leaves the lower section 22 hollow.

[0023] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front and back walls of the support member 20 are broken by openings 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40. Opening 40 is in the upper region 26 of the support member 20 and is an access opening large enough to allow a child to pass through. Openings 30, 32 and 34 are preferably generally semi-circular in shape, with a flat bottom. Openings 38 and 40 are preferably in the shape of triangles, and opening 36 is preferably in the shape of a trapezoid. These openings provide step members in the front wall 31 on which a child can climb, and as shown, these step member openings preferably extend from the front wall 31 to the back wall 33. The walls that circumscribe the openings provide strength to the support member 20. Also, as seen in FIG. 5, indentations 39 are made in back wall 33 in several places to add additional strength to the support member 20. The indentations 39 are often referred to as "tack off" points because the plastic from the back wall 33 is indented to the point where it meets that of the front wall 31.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, the upper region 26 of the support member 20 has an aperture 47 therein for receiving and supporting one end of a crossbar 80, which could be any one of crossbars 81, 82 or 83. Preferably, in the location of the aperture 47, the front wall 31 and back wall 33 are next to one another, and the aperture extends through both walls, as best seen in FIG. 11. The front and back walls 31 and 33 are preferably curved over to form a generally horizontal portion which parallels the crossbar 80 and serves as a support ledge 42. The support ledge 42 is located under crossbar 80 and is preferably surrounded on top and bottom by a strap of metal 41. Bolts 43 with washer and nuts, or some other form of connectors, extend through holes in the support ledge 42, metal strap 41 (both above and below the support ledge 42) and crossbar 80 to hold the support member 20 and crossbar 80 together. The metal strap 41 helps to distribute the load imposed by the crossbar 80 on the support member 20. Also, the metal strap 41 provides a metal contact surface for bolts 43 and their respective washers and nuts.

[0025] The top of aperture 47 is formed of a thickened piece 46 of plastic which constitutes the front and back walls at that part of the mold. The thick piece 46 rests on top of the crossbar 80. If the crossbar 80 is not as large as the aperture 47, spacers 49 may be used under the crossbar 80 so that the top of crossbar 80 rests against the thick piece 46.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, 10 and 11, a separately molded plastic cover member 48 attaches to the front side of the upper region 26 of support member 20 to cover the protruding end of crossbar 80 and also to cover the ends of the bolts 43. The cover 48 may be attached with bolts 44 after the bolts 43 are tightened.

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 12, the platform member 50 is also preferably a blow molded structure, with reinforcing ribs 52 on the top and bottom surfaces generally running between first and second opposed sides 54. As seen in FIG. 14, except for the reinforcing ribs 52, the platform member is generally thicker around the edges and thinner in the central section. As described in more detail below, the bottom surface of platform 50 also has channels 51 through the thickest areas. The top of the platform 50 preferably has a U-shaped indent 53 molded into it, and two holes 55 through the platform member 50 for attaching the slide member 70. Jutting outwardly from the edges of the opposed sides 54 are tabs 59, also described below.

[0028] The platform member 50 is adapted to be supported by the middle region 24 of two support members 20 when the support members 20 are secured to either end of a short crossbar 82, or the cross member 85 of T-shaped crossbar 83. Once the support members 20 and crossbar 82 have been assembled, the platform member 50 has a snap fit on the support member 20. In this regard, and as best seen in FIGS. 15 and 17, the middle region 24 of support members 20 is configured with two protruding members 27 upstanding from the base wall 29 of opening 40. The underside of platform member 50 includes four spaces 56 (FIG. 13) into which the protruding members 27 fit tightly when the platform member 50 is snapped into place between two support members 20. The gap between protruding members 27 (FIG. 17) allows for the junction 57 (FIG. 13) between spaces 56 on each opposed side of the platform member 50 to fit down onto base wall 29, along with the undersides of the opposed sides 54.

[0029] Preferably the protruding members 27 each have two pockets 73 formed in them, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 15. The pockets 73 and channels 51 in the bottom of the platform member 50 allow support rods 71 (FIG. 15) to be placed under the platform member 50 should additional support be needed in the central portion of the platform member 50. The rods 71, which may be made of metal tubes, fit within the channels 51 and between the reinforcing ribs 52 against the bottom of platform member 50, and the ends of the rods 71 fit within the pockets 73 of the support members 20.

[0030] Although too small to be seen in FIG. 5, notches are provided on the inside surfaces of the wall surrounding opening 40 just above base wall 29. When the platform member 50 is snap fit into place, the plastic deforms until the tabs 59 (FIGS. 12 and 13) of platform member 50 can fit under these notches. The walls then resume their original shape, and the bottoms of the notches fit over the tabs 59 of platform member 50, holding the platform member 50 down in place.

[0031] Shown in FIG. 17 are two plugs 77 which may be removed to provide apertures through which a ballast, such as sand or water, may be introduced into the hollow portion of the lower section 22 of support member 20 before the platform member 50 is attached. The radiused areas 75 shown in FIG. 17 are part of a support surface that extends around the inside periphery of the back wall 33 against which a supplemental support member in the form of an arched tube may be applied if additional strength is needed in the support member 20.

[0032] Preferably the support member 20 is anchored to the support surface 8 by a corkscrew anchor 9 (FIG. 16). To aid in such anchoring, the lower region 22 has an area 15 in which front and back walls 31 and 33 are close together. In area 15, the walls 31 and 33 include apertures 19 through which a wire, chain or other fastener 11 can pass and connect to corkscrew anchor 9.

[0033] The slide member 70 may be a conventional slide adapted to be coupled or connected to the platform member 50. The swinging devices used on the swing set 5 may be selected from conventional swinging devices such as a swing 72, a trapeze bar 74, gymnast rings 76 (either separate or provided with the trapeze bar as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and a glide ride toy 78. These devices are suspended from the crossbar 81 or 83 in a conventional manner.

[0034] To assemble the swing set 5, a long crossbar 81 is inserted so that its first end passes through aperture 47 of one support member 20 and its second end passes through aperture 47 of another support member 20. When bolts 43 are used to secure the crossbar 81 to the support ledge 42, the crossbar 81 will extend generally perpendicular to the support member 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support members 20 are designed to lean inwardly, so the crossbar 81 will not be perfectly perpendicular to the major faces of the support member 20. After bolts 43 are tightened and cover 48 is secured in place, the base 21 of each support member may be placed on the support surface 8, which will result in the crossbar 81 being supported in a spaced relationship to the support surface. Preferably the support member 20 leans inwardly about 7° from perpendicular to the support surface 8. The distance along the support surface 8 between the base 21 of each support member 20 is thus greater than the distance along the crossbar 81 between the support ledges 42 of the same support member 20. The swing set 5 is completed by attaching swinging devices to the crossbar 81.

[0035] The playground slide assembly 10 is assembled in the same fashion, except the short crossbar 82 is used. Once the base 21 is resting on the support surface 8, a platform member 50 is snap fit over the protruding members 27, and the bottom of the opposed sides 54 rest on base wall 29. The slide member 70 is then attached.

[0036] The combined swing set and slide 15 is assembled in the same fashion, except that three support members 20 are used and the T-shaped crossbar 83 is used. After the base members 21 are resting on the support surface 8, the platform member 50 is snap fit into place between two of the support members 20 and the other playground equipment (such as slide member 70, swing seat 72, trapeze bar 74, gymnast rings 76, and glide ride toy 78) is attached.

[0037] Preferably, the plastic members will be molded of high density polyethylene with a UV protective additive mixed in. Such additives are well known in the art. The crossbars 81, 82 and 83 are preferably hollow metal tubular members. The openings 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 are preferably sized and positioned in accordance with government safety regulations.

[0038] By having each of the support members 20 of an identical shape, they can each be formed from the same mold. Since the tooling costs for molds for such large plastic items are quite high, the modular use of the same support member 20 in different playground assemblies provides a real cost savings to a manufacturer producing all of the playground assemblies.

[0039] The modular capability also reduces inventory for the manufacturer, and would reduce the inventory needs for others in the distribution channel if the various components are not grouped together until the ultimate sale. However, for many retailers, it is preferable to have all the components grouped for sale as a unit. An additional benefit of the present invention is that a purchaser may be able to upgrade a swing set 5 or playground slide assembly 10 into the swing and slide combination 15 by purchasing a new crossbar 83, an additional support member 20 and the additional playground equipment required.

[0040] As can be seen from the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention results in playground equipment that avoids the steel leg members, braces and bolts that tend to rust. The unitary, molded plastic support member also provides a very attractive, smooth design. There are fewer parts, and assembly at the playground site is easier and quicker than assembling conventional playground equipment. The plastic support members 20 and metal crossbars 80 provide an advantageous blend of strength and rigidity where it is needed, but with smooth, contoured structural members to improve appearance. For example, the support member 20 is designed to hold about 350 pounds at the point where the crossbar 80 attaches to the upper section 26. The preferred embodiment also combines other desirable features, such as the climbing steps.

[0041] There are, of course, other embodiments of the invention. For example, the step members provided by openings 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 do not all have to go completely through from the front wall 31 to the back wall 33, but could be formed in just the front wall 31. Instead of using a separate cover 48, the front wall 31 could be molded in the upper region 26 so as to cover the end of crossbar 80, and only the back wall 33 would then have an aperture 47 and form support ledge 42. Also, aperture 47 or support ledge 42 might be eliminated if some other configurations were made in the upper region 26 for supporting and coupling the crossbar 80 to the support member 20.

[0042] It should be appreciated that the apparatus and methods of the present invention are capable of being incorporated in the form of a variety of embodiments, only a few of which have been illustrated and described above. The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, instead of using blow molding techniques and producing hollow plastic members, other plastic construction techniques, such as rotational molding, may be used to make support members 20. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a modular playground assembly comprising the steps of:

a) providing a crossbar and at least two identically shaped, molded, plastic support members, each support member having a base for resting on a support surface and an upper region having a support ledge for receiving and supporting one end of said crossbar;

b) securing one end of said crossbar onto the support ledge of each support member;

c) resting the base of each support member on the support surface, the crossbar being supported in a spaced relationship to said support surface; and

d) attaching playground equipment to the crossbar and/or one or more of the support members.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the crossbar has a T-shape and comprises three ends, and the playground equipment comprises three support members.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching playground equipment comprises attaching a platform member supported between two support members and attaching one end of a slide member to the platform member and allowing the slide member to extend to the support surface.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of attaching the platform member comprises snap fitting the platform member onto the support members.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching the playground equipment comprises attaching one or more swinging devices so as to be suspended from the crossbar.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the one or more swinging devices are selected from the group consisting of swings, gymnast rings, glide ride toys, and trapeze bars.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the crossbar comprises a metal tube.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein a strap of metal is interposed between the support ledge and the crossbar.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the support members are each attached to the crossbar by fastening at least one connector through the support ledge, the strap of metal and the crossbar.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of attaching a cover member to the support member to cover the end of the crossbar.

11. A playground assembly support member comprising a front wall, a pair of side walls extending from the front wall, a back wall connected to the pair of side walls opposite the front wall, the front, back and side walls defining a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface, a middle region and an upper region, the support member being of a unitary molded plastic construction, the upper region having an aperture through the back wall adapted to receive a crossbar extending generally perpendicular to the support member.

12. The playground assembly support member of claim 11 wherein the middle region is adapted to connect to a slide assembly such that two of the unitary playground assembly support members can be combined to independently support a slide assembly in spaced relation to the support surface.

13. The playground assembly support member of claim 11 wherein the front wall comprises step members.

14. The playground assembly support member of claim 13 wherein the step members extend from the front wall to the back wall.

15. The playground assembly support member of claim 11 wherein the upper region defines an access opening through which a child may pass.

16. The playground assembly support member of claim 11 wherein the lower region is hollow.

17. The playground support member of claim 16 wherein the support member walls include at least one aperture through which a ballast may be introduced into the hollow portion of the support member.

18. The playground support member of claim 11 wherein the lower region comprises apertures for connecting the lower region to an anchor in said support surface.

19. The playground support member of claim 11 wherein the front wall in said upper region also comprises an aperture through which the crossbar extends.

20. The playground support member of claim 11 wherein the back wall is shaped to form a support ledge running parallel to the crossbar.

21. The playground support member of claim 20 wherein the support ledge is located under the crossbar.

22. The playground support member of claim 20 wherein the front wall and back wall are molded adjacent one another to form the support ledge.

23. The playground support member of claim 22 wherein a strap of metal surrounds the support ledge.

24. The playground support member of claim 19 wherein the front wall and back wall are next to one another at the location of their apertures.

25. A playground assembly comprising:

a) at least two identically shaped, molded plastic support members each comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface and an upper region adapted to receive a crossbar, and

b) a crossbar supported in spaced relation to the support surface with one end of the crossbar received in said upper region of each support member.

26. The playground assembly of claim 25 wherein the crossbar supports one or more swing devices.

27. The playground assembly of claim 25 wherein the support members further support a platform member with a slide member attached thereto.

28. The playground assembly of claim 25 wherein the crossbar comprises a T-shape having three ends and the assembly comprises three identically shaped support members, two of the support members supporting a platform member with a slide member attached thereto and the crossbar supporting one or more swing devices.

29. A playground apparatus comprising:

a) a pair of identically shaped, unitary support members, each support member comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface, a middle region and an upper region;

b) a crossbar member comprising first and second ends, the first end coupled to the upper region of one of the unitary support members and the second end coupled to the upper region of the other unitary support member;

c) a platform member comprising first and second opposed sides, the first side coupled to the middle region of one of the unitary support members and the second side coupled to the middle region of the other unitary support member; and

d) a slide member coupled to the platform member.

30. The playground apparatus of Claim 29 wherein the crossbar is T-shaped and further comprises a third end and the apparatus further comprises a third unitary support member comprising an upper region, the upper region coupled to the third end of the crossbar.

31. A playground apparatus comprising:

a) a metal crossbar comprising first and second ends, the crossbar being adapted to support swing devices; and

b) first and second support members, each support member being formed of plastic and being molded as a unitary structure comprising a lower region adapted to rest on a support surface and an upper region, the upper region of the first support member being coupled to the first end of the crossbar and the upper region of the second support member being coupled to the second end of the crossbar, whereby the first and second unitary support members support the crossbar in spaced relationship to the support surface.

32. The playground apparatus of claim 31 wherein the first and second support members are identically shaped.

33. A combination of eight members, three of which fit together to form a swing set and four of which fit together to form a playground slide, the eight members comprising:

a) three crossbars, two being straight and of different lengths, and one having a T-shape;

b) three identically shaped, universal support members, each support member having a base for resting on a support surface and an upper region having a surface for supporting an end of one of the crossbars;

c) a platform member adapted to be supported by a pair of the universal support members; and

d) a slide member adapted to be connected to the platform member.

34. The combination of claim 33 wherein the T-shape crossbar, the three support members, the platform member and the slide member fit together to form a playground swing set with a slide.

35. The combination of claim 33 wherein the support members are molded out of plastic and the crossbars are metal.

36. A method of manufacturing and distributing modular playground assemblies comprising the steps of:

a) providing a plurality of identically shaped plastic, molded support members;

b) providing a plurality of platform members, each adapted to be supported by two of said support members;

c) providing a plurality of slide members;

d) providing a plurality of crossbars adapted to be coupled with said support members, some of said crossbars having a T-shape;

e) grouping two of said support members and one of said crossbars to be sold as a unit for making a swing set;

f) grouping two of said support members, one of said crossbars, one of said platform members and one of said slide members to be sold as a unit for making a slide assembly; and

g) grouping three of said support members, one of said T-shape crossbars, one of said platform members and one of said slide members to be sold as a unit for making a swing set with a slide.

37. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of anchoring the support member to the support surface using a corkscrew anchor.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein the distance along the support surface between the base of the at least two support members is greater than the distance along the crossbar between the support ledge of the at least two support members.

39. A playground assembly support member comprising a monolithic, molded plastic body having a base region for resting the support member on a support surface and an upper region for supporting a crossbar, the body having a generally A-shape configuration with the base being substantially wider than the upper region.

Drawing