Patents Assigned to PlayCore
  • Patent number: 11410636
    Abstract: Tonal musical instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The tonal musical instrument may comprise a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, at least one a non-vibrating guard, a metal plate tuned to produce at least one note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the at least one non-vibrating guard and the metal plate to the support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Patent number: 11200873
    Abstract: Percussion instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The percussion instrument comprises a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, a mounting base secured to the support post, one or more metal discs, wherein each metal disc is tuned to produce a note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the one or more metal discs to the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Publication number: 20200302901
    Abstract: Tonal musical instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The tonal musical instrument may comprise a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, at least one a non-vibrating guard, a metal plate tuned to produce at least one note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the at least one non-vibrating guard and the metal plate to the support post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Patent number: 10650793
    Abstract: Tonal musical instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The tonal musical instrument may comprise a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, at least one a non-vibrating guard, a metal plate tuned to produce at least one note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the at least one non-vibrating guard and the metal plate to the support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Publication number: 20190189095
    Abstract: Percussion instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The percussion instrument comprises a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, a mounting base secured to the support post, one or more metal discs, wherein each metal disc is tuned to produce a note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the one or more metal discs to the mounting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Publication number: 20150057092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Kim Corvin Blackwood, Charles Lebron Griffith, IV
  • Patent number: 8870136
    Abstract: The subject invention is a clamp that has two halves of an annular ring hingedly connected at one end and capable of being securely fastened to each other at the opposite end. The annular ring is sized to fit tightly around a vertical support post. An upper surface of the annular ring has an upper annular channel, while the lower surface of the annular ring has a lower annular channel. When the clamp is fixed to the vertical support post, a horizontal support adaptor may fit into both the upper and lower annular channels. A resilient engagement strip or button on the adaptor is placed into contact with the lower annular channel in this position and frictionally engages the lower annular channel to prevent lateral movement of the adaptor on the annular ring until such time as the adaptor may be securely attached to the annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Andrew Ellingboe, Daniel R. Schneider, Kerry W. Leppert
  • Publication number: 20140171210
    Abstract: An angled rotating play device is provided as a cantileveredly merry-go-round supported above the ground from below. A foot platform provides a location for one or more riders feet along a first rotation axis and is angled at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis. The vertical axis may also provide a second rotation axis. At least one of a plurality of supports connect to at least one hand hold above the foot platform whereby the hand hold and/or covers over the hand hold provide a maximum elevation of the device and may help users to shift their weight to self drive the device from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Henry, Kim Blackwood
  • Patent number: 8684852
    Abstract: An angled rotating play device is provided as a cantileveredly merry-go-round supported above the ground from below. A foot platform provides a location for one or more riders feet along a first rotation axis and is angled at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis. The vertical axis may also provide a second rotation axis. At least one of a plurality of supports connect to at least one hand hold above the foot platform whereby the hand hold and/or covers over the hand hold provide a maximum elevation of the device and may help users to shift their weight to self drive the device from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Henry, Kim Blackwood
  • Patent number: 8647165
    Abstract: A panel installation provides a panel spaced between first and second uprights. The panel has first and second wings having wing wall portions preferably contacting the uprights above spaced side wall portions spaced from the uprights. Cutouts in the wings allow for insertion of a connector through the wings into threaded bores in the uprights. A deck between the uprights can receive connector(s) for connecting a lower portion of the panel to the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Blackwood, Pedro Jose Pascuales
  • Patent number: 8540201
    Abstract: A bracket system for assembling playground equipment includes a plurality of deck support brackets, at least two vertical frame brackets, at least two horizontal frame brackets, a swing bracket, and at least two ladder brackets. The deck support brackets secure horizontal deck support beams to vertical frame beams at first points along the vertical frame beams. The vertical frame brackets attach to at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at second points above the first points. The at least two horizontal frame brackets fix at least one horizontal frame beam to the at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at the second points; the horizontal frame brackets and the vertical frame brackets interconnect. The swing bracket fastens a swing support beam to the at least one horizontal frame beam at a third point along the at least one horizontal frame beam. The at least two ladder brackets connect a ladder to one of the horizontal deck support beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gadd, Giovanni Piccione
  • Patent number: 8529362
    Abstract: An elevated hand held merry go round provides a hand hold elevated a distance above a playing surface to which a user may grab and rotate through an unobstructed zone between the hand hold and the playing surface. In the preferred embodiment the hand hold may be tilted at an angle relative to the playing surface so the user may pump themselves to maintain the round momentum in a manner somewhat similar to an individual pumping themselves on a swing to maintain themselves swinging. Alternative embodiments lack the tilt may be made in various dimensions to accommodate various numbers of users and may have more than one set of locations for hand holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Wingerstahn
  • Patent number: 8342463
    Abstract: A swing set assembly having a swing set connector connected to a top rail is preferably provided which has a first cantilevered arm which connects to a top rail of at least two outer perimeters. Top rails are envisioned either fitting over the arm or in a bore the arm depending upon the outer perimeter of the top rail utilized. These and other embodiments are envisioned being of modular construction of a first half and a second half whether at an end of or between top rails. On the event that modification of the swing set is desired, an end half can be removed from a first half, and a top rail half connected thereto along with another top rail to extend the length of the total swing set. Alternatively, if a total top rail length is to be shortened, a top rail can be removed and a first half of the connector can be replaced with an end half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: PlayCore
    Inventor: Brian Henry
  • Patent number: 8235338
    Abstract: A swing set assembly having a swing set connector connected to a top rail is preferably provided which has a first cantilevered arm which connects to a top rail of at least two outer perimeters. Top rails are envisioned either fitting over the arm or in a bore the arm depending upon the outer perimeter of the top rail utilized. These and other embodiments are envisioned being of modular construction of a first half and a second half whether at an end of or between top rails. On the event that modification of the swing set is desired, an end half can be removed from a first half, and a top rail half connected thereto along with another top rail to extend the length of the total swing set. Alternatively, if a total top rail length is to be shortened, a top rail can be removed and a first half of the connector can be replaced with an end half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: PlayCore
    Inventor: Brian Henry
  • Patent number: 8225575
    Abstract: A bracket system for assembling playground equipment includes a plurality of deck support brackets, at least two vertical frame brackets, at least two horizontal frame brackets, a swing bracket, and at least two ladder brackets. The deck support brackets secure horizontal deck support beams to vertical frame beams at first points along the vertical frame beams. The vertical frame brackets attach to at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at second points above the first points. The at least two horizontal frame brackets fix at least one horizontal frame beam to the at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at the second points; the horizontal frame brackets and the vertical frame brackets interconnect. The swing bracket fastens a swing support beam to the at least one horizontal frame beam at a third point along the at least one horizontal frame beam. The at least two ladder brackets connect a ladder to one of the horizontal deck support beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gadd, Giovanni Piccione
  • Patent number: 8062142
    Abstract: A collaborative play toy generally includes a plurality of satellite assemblies capable of a first movement and a second movement, and a center assembly coupled to the plurality of satellite assemblies. The center assembly is configured to move in response to the first movement of a first satellite assembly and to create a second movement in a second satellite assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Underbrink, Charlene Underbrink, legal representative, Brian D. Lovgren, Paul J. Danforth
  • Patent number: 7975437
    Abstract: A playground roof system having the capability of being attached to different diameter support members is provided. The frame of the roof structure is roto-molded such that two different sized openings are provided at each corner of the frame, each opening in the same area, such that the roof is interchangeable in different playground systems. The roof system further includes openings formed in the frame such that a fastener can be threaded therein fastening the frame and support members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel V. Byrd
  • Patent number: 7892101
    Abstract: A child swing chair provides a seat and a rigid harness operably connected thereto which can move from a loaded to an unloaded configuration for ingress and egress from the seat by a user. When the harness is secured relative to the seat, the swing chair preferably passes a rigid bounded opening test as defined by Standard F1487, Paragraph 6.1.1 and the a partially bounded opening test as defined by Paragraphs 6.1.4 of the ASTM Standard in at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, the rigid harness can be supported in an unloaded configuration whereby the harness is in a position allowing for ingress and egress until a predetermined force is overcome to move the harness towards the loaded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: PlayCore
    Inventors: William Weisz, Brian Henry
  • Patent number: D716895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Kim C. Blackwood
  • Patent number: D716896
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Kim C. Blackwood