METHOD FOR MAKING FORT COUNTRY LOG FORTS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in the design of playground equipment that are interactive and challenges a person's creativity and makes them think while interacting with others. It also makes kids set down their cell phones to pick up a lightweight cedar log with two hands. This invention looks like Lincoln Logs from the 1980's but these pieces are 12 times longer and wider. These logs are 6 inch diameter and are cut into pieces 10″, 20″, 30″, 50″, 70″ and 90″ long.

The closest related art is the giant Lego Set in The Mall of America in Minneapolis MN. Some toys can be made many times larger but only a few can get 12 times larger so you can play inside and still be light weight so the pieces can be easily carried, moved around, and transported to different locations in a pickup truck. This invention combines several creative solutions that are not obvious to one well known to playground equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses various embodiments of a giant set of building blocks that are so big that numerous people can go inside the fort at the same time. It encourages team building, communication skills, and interacting with people in a dry and warm environment even after the sun goes down. People of all ages can interact with these log forts, but teenagers are the target audience for the daily or hourly dismantling and rebuilding of the forts.

Most playground equipment is boring; it has no place to hide; it does not provide a sense of accomplishment after building something; and it is not designed with teenager's needs in mind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: This is a Top View of the Small Package of logs up to 50 inches long. The Medium Package consists of logs up to 70 inches long. The Large Package consists of logs up to 90 inches long.

FIG. 2: This is one typical 50-inch-long log. It shows the elements of a weight reduction slot.

FIG. 3: This is an alternative design considered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Multiple different elements each help reduce the weight of a log and when all elements are done at the same time the unexpected becomes possible. A light weight easily moved set of logs can be turned into whatever the person can imagine.

A slot, slots, or holes can cut the weight of each log significantly and without the holes being noticed from a distance. The best mode of practice is the design with the lightest weight log, sufficiently strong log, best looking log, and best smelling log. To achieve this goal, use a chainsaw to cut slots 4 inches wide by 12 inches long through the top of the logs.

The best type of tree is Northern White Cedar because it is the lightest by nature. It is lighter than the more available Red Cedar that grows in the Pacific West Coast. This element of white cedar can reduce the weight significantly especially if the cedar is dried thoroughly and kept dry out of the weather. It requires shelter from the rain such as inside a building or under a Park Pavillion roof.

The best mode of finishing the surface is by a mechanical rough turning lathe at a sawmill such as Kramer Forest Products Inc. It removes the bark which allows the inner wood to dry out faster and provides a less messy log for people to lift. A final sanding with 60-80 grit sandpaper helps a great deal. A combination of belt sander, rotary sander, and orbital sanders are the best mode of practice for rounding sharp edges and smoothing the surface. Wiping with a damp cloth is the final step.

Alternative designs for lightening holes include drilling 2″ to 4″ diameter holes every few inches across the entire length of the log or at many different angles.

This invention addresses many current social problems with young people between 13-20 years old that have little to do that interests them especially after dark and in the cold winter.