US 12,251,618 B2
Topographical playground structures, a structural framework thereof, and a method of making the topographical structures
Thomas Robert Norquist, Fort Payne, AL (US); Tin-Man Lau, Auburn, AL (US); and Elisabeth Mathis, Birmingham, AL (US)
Assigned to PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC., Chattanooga, TN (US)
Filed by PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc., Chattanooga, TN (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/889,649.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/234,985, filed on Aug. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0054943 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A63B 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 9/00 (2013.01) [A63B 2009/006 (2013.01); A63B 2208/12 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An artificial mound for a playground, comprising:
a structural framework comprising
a first plurality of structural elements having longitudinal axes extending in a first direction, and
a second plurality of structural elements having longitudinal axes extending in a second direction,
wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction, and
each of the second plurality of structural elements is connected to one or more of the first plurality of structural elements; and
wherein each structural element comprises an upper edge, the upper edges together providing the structural framework with a non-flat top surface that is configured to provide the artificial mound with a contoured surface;
a fill material in a plurality of spaces formed by the structural framework;
a support layer above the fill material; and
a cushion layer above the support layer, wherein the cushion layer comprises poured-in-place rubber.