Patents by Inventor Paul W. Ahrens

Paul W. Ahrens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4932648
    Abstract: Each of the slide sections making up the bedway are roto molded and have a common shape such that they may be interchanged and reversed end for end. Each connection includes a tongue and groove in the bototm wall and a sidewall extension on one sidewall received in a recessed notch on the other sidewall thereby limiting both vertical and lateral horizontal movement between the slide sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4893807
    Abstract: A spiral slide includes interconnected bedway sections each of which are hollow and include as an integral part of the section body a sleeve telescopically engaging a ground-support post. Fasteners interconnect the end-to-end bedway sections and are disposed on the interior of these sections and are accessible through capped openings. Fasteners may be formed as an integral part of the end wall. A fastener recess may be formed on the bottom side of the bedway section by the bottom wall converging upwardly towards the top wall to form a connecting flange with the fastener recess being between the flange and the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4811943
    Abstract: A spiral slide includes interconnected bedway sections each of which are hollow and include as an integral part of the section body a sleeve telescopically engaging a ground support post. Fasteners interconnect the end-to-end bedway sections and are disposed on the interior of these sections and are accessible through capped openings. Fasteners may be formed as an integral part of the end wall. A fastener recess may be formed on the bottom side of the bedway section by the bottom wall converging upwardly towards the top wall to form a connecting flange with the fastener recess being between the flange and the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4487411
    Abstract: A tube slide includes a combination of common curved and straight tube bed sections connected through a radially extending flange where the lowermost tube section is curved and may be rotated in either direction to accommodate space limitations. A contoured apron open from above having a protective handrail and a radially extending arcuate end flange on its upper end adjustably connected to the end flange of the lower end of the slide provides for safe exiting from the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4484738
    Abstract: A playground deck of all metal construction includes common components, a platform around which walls are formed from a combination of corner panels having right angle wing sections and single panels substantially the size of a wing section and center panels. A passageway between opposing wing sections and/or single panels is provided for access to playground pieces such as slides or steps. The center panels are removable and close unused passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Ahrens, Randy R. Juhl, Larry D. Kunce, Wayne E. Katzer
  • Patent number: 4447055
    Abstract: Playground equipment having wooden timbers includes a plastic fastener with a metal threaded core flushly mounted in the wooden timbers for interconnecting the wooden timbers to associated members of the playground unit. The plastic fastener has one-way tightening means and actuates the metal core by locking engagement with the metal core, thereby preventing disassembly of the playground equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4379551
    Abstract: A tube slide includes a straight metal tube section connected through a radially extending flange to a 90.degree. curved section formed from identical half sections connected together by mating laterally extending flanges being fastened. The curved section is of fiberglass and includes a shingled bed of metal members matingly engaging the top surface of the bottom half section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4369965
    Abstract: An A-shaped playground climber is formed from a pair of spaced apart end pieces which include outer peripheral rims having eight flat surfaces. Extension legs extend from the vertical surfaces to the ground and steps bridge adjacent legs and diagonal surfaces of the end pieces to provide steps along each of the legs of the A-shape structure. A tube is received in axial openings in each of the end pieces and a slide extends from the top of one of the end pieces to the ground. A second embodiment is also A-shaped but comprises four pairs of end pieces, three pairs in abutting relationship on the ground with a fourth pair on top of the center pair on the ground. Pairs of extension legs bridge adjacent end pieces to provide continuous legs of the A-shaped structure and steps are provided therealong. A slide on one side of the A-shaped structure extends from the ground to the juncture of the abutting horizontal surfaces of the top and bottom center end pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4348188
    Abstract: A method of designing an outdoor playground complex is disclosed. Complex components are represented by reduced scale, two-dimensional projections of interchangeable playground devices. The projections are formed into pliable, transparent templates consisting of an electro-static vinyl material. The significant features viewable in each projection are lined on the templates. The components are stored on pliable sheets which releaseably adhere to the templates. The complex itself is designed by selecting possible components, removing the same from the storage sheet and placing the selected templates adjacent to each other on a transparent work surface which is adapted to releaseably adhere to the template.The combination of transparent, lined templates and transparent work surface allows easy photocopying of the selected design with all significant features clearly set forth. The transparent work surface allows the design to be laid over scale drawings of play areas if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4341377
    Abstract: A seesaw comprising or two pairs of oppositely extending arms having seats at their outer ends are connected to the sides of a frame enclosure which embraces a support post having sides and is connected thereto for resilient up and down pivotal movement through three spaced rubber blocks per arm which have their opposite ends mounted on pins carried on the opposing sides of the enclosure and the post, two being in a common horizontal plane below the third centrally disposed above and therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4296923
    Abstract: A swing unit suspended on a flexible line includes a circular seat portion to which an elongated upstanding centrally disposed stem is attached with the upper end of the stem being connected to the lower end of the flexible line. The swing unit is substantially rigid and the stem is sufficiently long for the user to pull on the stem and push on the seat to initiate the swinging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4286781
    Abstract: A molded plastic body includes four sections having inter frame members bolted together adjacent the periphery. A channel cap extends from a center hub over abutting body section edges and through a downwardly extending fin and is connected to the inter frame members. Each of the body sections includes a railing extending from the top of the hub outwardly and then downwardly into two peripherally spaced apart leg portions connected to the floor of the body section. The connections of the inter frame members are in recesses formed in the body sections allowing access by tools for assembly purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: D259652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: D260028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: D260109
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Ahrens