Play structure and play structure assembly methods

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to play structures and assembly methods for play structures. A play structure may comprise at least one floor panel comprising at least one hole into a side surface of the floor panel; at least one side wall panel configured to attach to the at least one floor panel and comprising at least one hole through the thickness of the side wall panel; and at least one bracket configured to at least temporarily attach the floor panel to the side wall panel, wherein the at least one bracket comprises: a first section configured to be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the floor panel; and a second section attached to the first section configured to protrude from the floor panel and to be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the side wall panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A play structure comprising:
 a floor panel assembly comprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side rail having a hole within the side rail;   a side panel configured to attach to the floor panel assembly and comprising a hole through a thickness of the side panel; and   a bracket configured to attach the floor panel to the side panel, wherein the bracket comprises:
 a first portion configured to be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the floor panel; and 
 a second portion attached to the first portion configured to protrude from the floor panel when the bracket is disposed within the hole of the floor panel and to engage the hole of the side panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a cavity configured to receive a screw to pass there-through the bracket so as to permanently attach the side panel to the floor panel. 
     
     
         3 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the bracket is configured to be held in place within the hole of the floor panel by friction ridges. 
     
     
         4 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the bracket is held in place within the hole of the floor panel by adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The play structure of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the bracket comprises one or more cut-outs configured to allow the adhesive to flow through the first portion of the bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the bracket comprises a compressible lip configured to engage the hole of the side panel. 
     
     
         7 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the bracket comprises friction ridges configured to engage the hole of the side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the second portion is greater than a diameter of the first portion, and wherein the bracket comprises a seat at which the first portion meets the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The play structure of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first portion is less than the thickness of the floor panel. 
     
     
         10 . A play structure comprising:
 a floor panel assembly comprising a floor panel comprising a cut-out within a surface of the floor panel;   a back panel; and   a back-wall bracket configured to attach the floor panel to the back panel, wherein the back-wall bracket comprises:
 a front portion that is rounded to allow the back panel to be pushed over the front portion; and 
 a back portion that comprises a seat configured to receive the back panel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The play structure of  claim 10 , wherein the back portion of the back-wall bracket further comprises a lip configured to fit within a slot of a side rail of the floor panel assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The play structure of  claim 10 , wherein the back-wall bracket comprises a groove configured to receive the floor panel. 
     
     
         13 . The play structure of  claim 10 , wherein the back-wall bracket further comprises a connector configured to be received within the cut-out of the floor panel. 
     
     
         14 . The play structure of  claim 10 , wherein the seat is further configured to hold the back-wall panel between the front portion and the back portion. 
     
     
         15 . The play structure of  claim 10 , wherein the front portion comprises a retaining wall. 
     
     
         16 . The play structure of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining wall extends vertically from the floor panel. 
     
     
         17 . The play structure of  claim 13 , wherein the connector is configured to be connected to another back-wall bracket through the cut-out of the floor panel. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a play structure for later assembly by a consumer, the method comprising:
 providing a floor panel assembly comprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side rail having a hole within the side rail;   providing a side panel configured to attach to the floor panel assembly and comprising a hole through a thickness of the side panel; and   providing a bracket configured to attach the floor panel to the side panel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the bracket is configured to be disposed within and attached to, via a first portion of the bracket, to the hole of the floor panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the bracket is configured to be disposed within the hole of the floor panel and so as to engage the hole of the side panel, via a second portion of the bracket.