Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic vehicular enclosure for children is disclosed. The vehicular enclosure, which can either be a car or truck configuration, has a length substantially greater than its width and height. The enclosure includes opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing side surfaces inner connecting the top and bottom surfaces. The enclosure further includes opposing front and rear surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces. The rear surface includes a rear entry opening for ingress and egress of children into and out of the enclosure. The rear entry opening is defined by a cylindrical extension projecting from the rear surface. The rear entry opening has a height and width substantially equal to the distance between the top and bottom surfaces to facilitate ingress and egress into the enclosure by children. Preferably, the rear entry opening is sufficiently large to permit two children to pass one another during ingress and egress relative to the enclosure.

Abstract: A modular spiral staircase within a surrounding enclosure for indoor playground equipment is disclosed. The modular spiral staircase includes individual stair treads arranged in a spiral pattern within the surrounding enclosure. The individual stair treads are vertically connected to one another and are circumferentially connected to the surrounding enclosure. Preferably, arcuate tread segments each having a plurality of integrally connected individual stair treads are provided. The individual stair treads are laterally offset from each other and are circumferentially arranged in a spiral pattern about an associated supporting central post. The surrounding enclosure includes enlarged spaced lower and upper openings that are aligned with the modular spiral staircase to facilitate entry and exit of a user.

Abstract: A modular/convertible toddler climb unit is disclosed. This unit can be used independently in a variety of different ways as well as combined with other units to form a dynamic and physical skill development structure for children. The unit includes a base with adjacent steps and a slide formed on an upper sloping surface. Upper fixed side fences are provided on opposite sides of the adjacent steps and slide with upstanding mountable side fences cooperating with at least one of the upstanding fixed side fences in order to serve as boundary around at least part of an upper generally horizontally directed upper surface of the base. The mountable side fences can be positioned on the base in a number of different ways as well as the generally horizontally directed upper surface of two adjacent bases for cooperative interaction between such adjacent bases. Other play units can be associated with the toddler climb and slide unit to provide various play experiences for children.

Abstract: A recreational equipment junction box for tubular recreational equipment is disclosed. The junction box is a one-piece molded thin-walled enclosure having a plurality of spaced and opposed sides. At least one side of the enclosure is provided with a closed wall within a tubular ring section of predetermined dimension. The closed wall is capable of being partially removed for receiving a window or capable of being entirely removed for receiving a complementary shaped tube within the tubular ring section for connection to the enclosure. The junction box facilitates the transition of movement in four possible directions, while also enhancing the use of transparent windows in one or more locations as may be desired.

Abstract: A one-piece helical tube component for use in forming spiral or helical playground units is disclosed. The helical tube component includes an interconnected series of helical tube segments each having a constant predetermined diameter and slope. Complementary male and female tube segments are provided adjacent opposite ends of the interconnected series of helical tube segments for corresponding mating engagement with complementary male and female tube segments of another similarly formed helical tube component.

Abstract: A movable rocking-type recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes a tubular enclosure having opposite open ends for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and tubular enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit rocking movement of the tubular enclosure relative to the support through the movement of an occupant within the tubular enclosure. The tubular enclosure is resiliently supported relative to the support in order to level the tubular enclosure on the support following the conclusion of the rocking movement. The tubular enclosure may be connected to flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable rocking movement of the tubular enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.

Abstract: A laterally movable recreational device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to facilitate movement of the enclosure in a predetermined path. There is a controlled fluid or resilient mounting of the enclosure relative to the support in the predetermined path in order to facilitate a controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the predetermined path when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the predetermined path in which movement of the enclosure relative to the support is facilitated is a lateral or horizontal path enabling controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support in such lateral or horizontal path.

Abstract: A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit controlled fluid movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure provides controlled fluid or resilient multi-directional movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The device may be connected to one or more flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable movement of the enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.

Abstract: A movable occupant directed recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed to permit movement of the enclosure relative to the support in at least one predetermined path. An occupant directed controller within the enclosure is provided for directing movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the at least one predetermined path. Preferably, the enclosure and support are constructed to permit movement of the support in at least two predetermined paths through a dual axis pivoting mechanism, although additional movement of the enclosure relative to the support is provided in pathways outside of the at least two predetermined paths which are generally transverse to one another.

Abstract: A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to restrict movement of the enclosure in a first predetermined path. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in a second predetermined path in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the second predetermined path, when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the first predetermined path, in which movement of the enclosure relative to the support is restricted, is a horizontal path while the second predetermined path, enabling controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support, is a vertical path.