Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a bracket useful with joints and bracing of structural members, especially for structures such as forts, swings, treehouses, playground equipment, decks, etc. that slips over the end of a brace board and bolts to that board on the face side of the board. The bracket preferably includes one or more molded holes spaced from a bracing member, to allow the bracket to be affixed to the structure to be braced. The bracket also preferably fits over or around a bracing structural member, and includes one or more transverse holes for fastening the bracket to the bracing structural member. Among other things, the bracket eliminates the need to fasten the members together via a screw or bolt positioned through the top edge of the bracing board or structural member. The bracket provides a stronger, more attractive, joint than the prior art, is preferably fabricated from plastic, and can be any desired color. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder and attachment mechanism apparatus and methods are described herein. The apparatus preferably are of a modular design, and are especially useful for playground or similar equipment. Among other things, the apparatus and methods provide improved fabrication, construction, assembly, and ease of use in a variety of applications, and reduce manufacturing, inventory, shipping, assembly, and related costs. In one embodiment, the playground ladder includes a plurality of horizontal support members, a first lateral support member and a second lateral support member each having substantially the same size and shape and spaced apart from each other. Each lateral support member includes a plurality of corresponding sockets spaced along the length of opposite sides of each lateral support member thereby allowing the lateral support members to be interchangeable.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for joining perpendicularly arranged, square, elongate, structural members to form a framework. The clamp assembly comprises a pair of shaped gripping members aligned in confronting relationship respective one another and have opposed parts that form opposed sockets which are arranged perpendicular to one another. One of the sockets receive an end of one structural member therewithin, the other of the sockets receive a medial length of another structural member therewithin to secure the perpendicularly arranged structural members together. Each gripping member is of unitary construction and has a planer surface that is divided into a first socket forming member and a second socket forming member by a through bolt extending perpendicularly therethrough.