FREESTANDING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CLIMBING WALL

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a climbing wall and in particular a freestanding climbing wall with a base or foundation allowing climbing on surfaces at different planes, relative to each other, of a three-dimensional freestanding structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Climbing walls are typically located indoors. For example, in a common installation, a climbing wall is formed on an interior wall of a structure such as a gym or similar facility. The wall often is one or two stories tall, e.g. 12-14 feet to 24-48 feet in height. The wall will have climbing holds arranged in two dimensions, e.g. an x and y direction allowing one to climb up the wall and side to side using the climbing holds.

Freestanding climbing walls may also be part of playground equipment for children to climb on. Often, these structures are relatively short, less than 12 feet in height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a freestanding three-dimensional climbing structure. The structure can have any shape including but not limited to the shape of an alphanumeric character, number, letter or symbol. For example, the three-dimensional freestanding structure can be in the shape of a capital “Y”. The freestanding structure allows one to climb on multiple planar surfaces at different planes relative to each other. Further, the freestanding structure may be hollow or have an interior cavity allowing for climbing within the three-dimensional structure. This could be in addition to climbing on the exterior surfaces of the three-dimensional structure.

Unique features of the freestanding structure include but are not limited to having a base or foundation. This arrangement allows the freestanding structure to not require guy wires or other supports to anchor or secure the freestanding structure to the ground. This arrangement also allows the freestanding structure to not require being mounted to another structure such as a building such a building floor or wall.

The present invention, in one form thereof is directed to a freestanding structure having a foundation, a frame, planar surfaces and climbing holds. The foundation is partially disposed underground and can substantially underground as desired. The frame is mounted to the foundation and extends above ground. Planar surfaces are on the frame in which the planar surfaces are at different orientations relative to each other. Climbing holds are disposed on at least two of the planar surfaces.

In one specific further form, the foundation comprising a concrete ballast. In one specific further form, the frame is fully supported by the foundation. For example, the foundation may fully support the frame and not require additional support or guy wires to secure the structure to the ground.

In various alternative forms, the frame may be at least 12 feet high, at least 28 feet high, and at least 42 feet high. This allows the frame to be from one story, two story, three story or more in height.

The freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall having planar surfaces at different orientations and climbing holds on at least two of the planer surfaces permits climbing in at least two different planes and permits climbing in the x, y and z directions relative to the ground.

The freestanding structure may have any desired shape including alphanumeric characters such as letters and numbers which include but are not limited to the capital “Y”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall in the shape of a “Y” in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a front view corresponding to the view in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2b is a rear view corresponding to the opposite view of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a-3c are front elevation, left side elevation and right side elevation, respectively, in section views, of the freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall in the shape of a capital “H” in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is yet another freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall in the shape of a number “4” in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a freestanding structure in the shape of the number “1” in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 are exemplary embodiments of a freestanding structure in accordance with the present invention. The freestanding structure can having any three-dimensional shape including those shapes of the Figures namely a capital “Y” (FIGS. 1-3c), capital “H” (FIG. 4) or numbers “4” and “1” (FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively). Freestanding is used throughout this disclosure and defined to be a structure that supports its own weight and does not need to be mounted, attached or supported by other means, including but not limited to guy wires, mounted, attached supported or otherwise connected to a building such as floor or walls, etc.

The construction of each of the freestanding structure shapes is essentially the same and therefore this disclosure will mainly focus on the freestanding structure in the shape of a “Y” with regard to FIGS. 1-3c.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-3c, freestanding structure 10 is in the shape of a capital “Y”. The freestanding structure 10 has a base or foundation 12. Advantageously, substantial portions of the foundation 12 are underground as best observed in FIGS. 3a-3c in which foundation 12 is substantially below ground 14. The foundation 12 is composed of any suitable material including a base in the form of a concrete ballast.

Frame 20 is mounted to foundation 12 using anchors 22. For example, frame 20 can have a first arm 24 and a second arm 26. The first arm 24 is at an angle 25 relative to the ground 14. The angle 24 can be between 25 degrees and 75 degrees. One exemplar angle is 60 degrees as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3a. The second arm 26 is at angle 27 relative to the first arm 24. Angle 27 can be between 100 and 140 degrees including 120 degrees as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3a.

In various alternative three dimensional shapes of the freestanding climbing wall, angles 25 and 27 are at suitable, respective angles to produce structures in the shape of alphanumeric characters, such as the alphabet and numbers 0-9. It also is important to stress that one or more of the arms can be curved relative to the ground and/or the adjacent arm, to produce various letters e.g. “Q”, “R”, “U”, “O”, “P”, “S”, “D”, “G”, “J”, “C” and “B” and numbers “2”, “3”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, and “0.”

The foundation 12 completely supports the weight of the frame 12 as well as the exterior material such that the freestanding structure 10 does not have guy wires or other support for the freestanding structure 10 to the ground 14.

The concrete ballast foundation 12 with frame 20 mounted thereto allows the freestanding structure 10 to be substantially massive including at least one story tall and as desired two stories, three stories or even more, e.g. 14 feet, 28 feet and at least 42 feet high.

Although the foundation 20 is a separate concrete footing, the foundation and frame alternatively can be integrally formed with each other as a unitary structure. Regardless of the form, the present three-dimensional structure is sufficiently grounded or supported without need for additional lateral support found in conventional large freestanding climbing walls. For example, the foundation 20 is of sufficient mass in terms of thickness (height), width and length to fully support the freestanding structure 10.

The frame 20 forms a scaffolding in a desired shape for the freestanding structure 10 with sufficient support for the structure. Planar surfaces 30 are applied on the exterior of the frame 20. The frame 20 is advantageously produced from steel. The exterior planar surfaces may be composed of lumber (e.g. plywood), composite sheet material such as TREK, faux or fake wood, molded panels, plastic, concrete, etc.

The planar surfaces 30 have a plurality of climbing holds 32 such as climbing holds 32a, 32b, 32c. As shown in FIG. 1, the climbing holds 32 may be on the front planar surface 30a in a staggered x direction 34 and y direction 36. In addition, the climbing holds 32 may also be on other planer surfaces including planar surface 30b such as climbing holds 32b. As a result, one can climb also in the z direction 38.

The holds 32 are of a sufficient size to accommodate the hands and/or feet of climbers allowing climbers to climb to the top of the freestanding structure 10. Further, since the freestanding structure 10 planar surface 30b is at an angle relative to the ground and not vertical with the ground, one can climb at an angle other than 90° with the ground.

A number of belay devices 40 may be attached to the freestanding structure 10. These belay structures 40 are attached to the freestanding structure 10 using belay anchors 42. The belay anchors 42 support a belay system which includes but is not limited to belay devices such as ropes, belay plates and automatic belays which include but are not limited to magnetic, hydraulic gear based, etc.

As discussed above, the freestanding structure can have any shape including alphanumeric characters, numbers, letters or symbols. FIGS. 4-6 are exemplary of various different shapes the present freestanding structure may have. Reference is made to FIGS. 4-6 in which the corresponding structures of FIGS. 1-3c are increased by 400-600, respectively, and therefore discussion all elements identified in FIGS. 4-6 corresponding those of FIGS. 1-3c apply to FIGS. 4-6.

Referring to FIG. 4, freestanding structure 410 is in the shape of a capital “H”. The freestanding structure of 410 has its foundation 412 substantially below ground 414 with anchors 413 extending further into the ground. The freestanding structure 410 has an access door 450 which allows one to gain access to the interior of the freestanding structure 410 and for climbing therein with climbing holds disposed therein. Cargo climbing net 460 allows one to climb thereon.

Freestanding structure has a first arm 424 and a second arm 426. The first arm 424 is at an angle 425 relative to the ground 414. The angle 424 can be between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. One exemplar angle is 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 4. The second arm 426 is at angle 427 relative to the first arm 424. Angle 27 can be between 100 and 140 degrees including 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is freestanding structure 510 in the shape of the number “4” also showing access door 550.

FIG. 6 is freestanding structure 610 in the shape of the number “1” shown in simplified form with foundation 620 and access door 650 for allowing one to climb within freestanding climbing wall 610.

It will now be clear that the present freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall is unique features not found in prior climbing walls located within buildings or small children's playground climbing parks. For example, the present freestanding three-dimensional climbing wall, unlike conventional climbing walls which are essentially two-dimensional and affixed to a wall of a facility, the present freestanding structure allows one to climb in a vertical (X) and horizontal (Y) direction that is up and down and left and right. In addition, one can climb in a Z or third dimension at right angles to the X and Y plane.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, the invention has been explained in relation to various embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The features of the various embodiments of the articles described herein may be combined within an article. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention described herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.