An exercise machine. The machine comprises a frame with front and rear upper support beams. Guide rails span between the two support beams and are connected thereto. Right and left handles are configured to slide back and forth along the length of the guide rails between the front and rear support beams. During operation of the machine, a user grabs the handles and moves them back and forth in a swinging motion that mimics traversing a set of monkey bars. The guide rails may be arranged in a non-parallel configuration to provide a more natural path for the user's hands during operation and to reduce unwanted stress on the user's shoulders by limiting handle movement along the path to accommodate a more comfortable range of motion.

The present disclosure is directed to climbing units that provide an enhanced play experience through the incorporation of any of a variety of elements including nets, suspended portions, and coupling elements, and to playground structures that contain those climbing units. In some embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more net-containing portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. In other embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more suspended portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. The suspended portion may be attached to adjacent rigid portions by flexible couplers, such that the suspended portion will move when a child climbs through it. In other embodiments, the climber unit may be mounted to an elevated playground structure such that there are no footers connecting the climber unit to the ground.

The present disclosure is directed to climbing units that provide an enhanced play experience through the incorporation of any of a variety of elements including nets, suspended portions, and coupling elements, and to playground structures that contain those climbing units. In some embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more net-containing portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. In other embodiments, the climber unit may comprise one or more rigid portions and one or more suspended portions connected end-to-end to produce a continuous climbing pathway. The suspended portion may be attached to adjacent rigid portions by flexible couplers, such that the suspended portion will move when a child climbs through it. In other embodiments, the climber unit may be mounted to an elevated playground structure such that there are no footers connecting the climber unit to the ground.

A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.

A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.

An end assembly for a dance exercise pole. The end assembly comprises: an end part; and a connector configured for connection to a dance pole. A first engagement element is connected to the connector; and there is a second engagement element engageable with the first engagement element. A movable element is movable between a first position and a second position to move at least one of the first engagement element or the second engagement element and thereby switch the end part respectively between: a first configuration with the first engagement element disengaged from the second engagement element, with the connector capable of rotation relative to the end part; and a second configuration with the first engagement element engaged with the second engagement element to restrict the rotation relative to the end part.

An end assembly for a dance exercise pole. The end assembly comprises: an end part; and a connector configured for connection to a dance pole. A first engagement element is connected to the connector; and there is a second engagement element engageable with the first engagement element. A movable element is movable between a first position and a second position to move at least one of the first engagement element or the second engagement element and thereby switch the end part respectively between: a first configuration with the first engagement element disengaged from the second engagement element, with the connector capable of rotation relative to the end part; and a second configuration with the first engagement element engaged with the second engagement element to restrict the rotation relative to the end part.

A suspension training based functional fitness element (11, 31) comprising: an essentially planar element (22) having an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, said planar element (22) being designed to form a pivotable connection to a support element (32) along said upper edge of the planar element (22), a first elongated element (23, 32, 52) connected to said planar element (22) at a first connection point at said lower edge of the planar element (22), a second elongated element (23, 32, 52) connected to said planar element (22) at a second connection point at said lower edge of the planar element (22), and a first and second handle (24), said first and second handle (24) being connected to said first and second elongated elements (23) respectively, whereby that said first and second connection points are arranged such that there is a horizontal offset between the first and second connection points and such that there is a vertical offset between the first connection point and the pivotable connection and a vertical offset between the second connection point and the pivotable connection.

A suspension training based functional fitness element (11, 31) comprising: an essentially planar element (22) having an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, said planar element (22) being designed to form a pivotable connection to a support element (32) along said upper edge of the planar element (22), a first elongated element (23, 32, 52) connected to said planar element (22) at a first connection point at said lower edge of the planar element (22), a second elongated element (23, 32, 52) connected to said planar element (22) at a second connection point at said lower edge of the planar element (22), and a first and second handle (24), said first and second handle (24) being connected to said first and second elongated elements (23) respectively, whereby that said first and second connection points are arranged such that there is a horizontal offset between the first and second connection points and such that there is a vertical offset between the first connection point and the pivotable connection and a vertical offset between the second connection point and the pivotable connection.

The invention relates to a playground comprising a number of pillars of a circular cross sectional area, and a series of playground elements including floor panels and side panels, and a series of brackets for attachment of the playground elements to the pillars. The brackets comprise an element coupling portion adapted to be fastened to a playground element and a pillar coupling portion adapted to be fastened to a side portion of a pillar. Here, the pillar coupling portion comprising a contact face curved to lie against pillar and a boring for receiving a fastening member which is oriented such that the bracket when fastened to the pillar is attached by the fastening member inserted from the bracket and into the pillar in a radial direction of the pillar. The series of brackets comprises brackets with element coupling portions adapted to be fastened to each of the playground elements in the series of playground elements, and all the brackets in the series comprise essentially identical pillar coupling portions such that all the brackets are adapted to be attached to the pillars in the same way. The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a playground. The series of playground elements may include floor panels, side panels, a series of bars of predefined diameters and chains.