System and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called SURFIRE TEMPLATE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 63/567,622 filed Mar. 20, 2024, by David Churchman. The provisional application is entitled “A system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called SURFIRE TEMPLATE”.

The present invention relates to a system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” This application is directed toward planning and installing concrete foundations as construction components. The foundations are for use as secure footings and foundations for the installation of playground equipment or various machines. This system and method for installing the system constitutes an improvement upon installation of reinforced concrete in pre-determined locations. The system decreases the time and thus the cost of labor, improves the quality by insuring correct dimensions for the placement of the equipment/playground apparatuses and the like. This system relates to a new foundation placement system for preparing the foundations for playground equipment, modular foundation for a home, and useful for other construction projects. These are projects that require the exact placement of the foundations for the ultimate layout of the playground equipment or other structures that are placed on reinforced concrete.

None.

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As far as known, there are no other systems and methods for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.”

Building structures for playgrounds, shopping malls, neighborhood or municipal parks, residential housing, apartments and condominiums, and many other construction projects often require foundations and underground utilities. Playgrounds, in particular, often have a ground material that is placed around the equipment once the foundations and equipment are in place. Placement of these foundations needs to be accurate for the installation of the equipment. In addition, the accuracy of the space or clearance around the installed equipment. This clearance space is important to the user of the equipment as well as permitting visitors such as parents and guardians to be near the equipment. The parents are responsible for the safety of the user/child on the equipment but do not want to be too close or endangered/increase the likelihood of an accident.

Once the foundations are installed, the equipment can be installed. The area for the playground has usually been landscaped to remove grass, weeds and stones, but this area is likely to be exposed to earth which becomes mud und rainy conditions. Many playgrounds are designed to cover the surface around the playground equipment with rubber pellets, wood mulch, re-purposed shredded tires, and/or other soft materials to help cushion a fall onto the ground. The installation of these granulated materials often needs a plant or weed barrier to slow down weeds from encroaching on the area. Plastic and reinforced plastic “tarps” are often used as the weed barrier.

Many problems and irritations are solved with the advent of the Surfire system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment. The problems solved include: Saves some cost by simplifying installation and measurement at the construction site for installation of the foundations by using a full size template marked onto a tarp or fabric; Reduces labor of installation by elimination of site measuring, once set into place, the tarp has all the locations premeasured; Acts as a weed barrier and can stay in place once the foundations are installed; Helps to avoid weather delays by acting as a ground cover and allows workers to install foundations even in wet and muddy conditions; Provides a visual check of the layout of the equipment prior to actual installation; Reduces the need to have a strong, technically trained and educated workforce, one or two technicians can work with unskilled labor to still install the foundations in the correct locations; Reduces inventory at job site by knowing what is needed to prepare the foundations; and Is prepared and checked off-site without the chance of weather delays.

A novelty search was completed for a system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment. It revealed the following:

As can be observed, none of the prior art has anticipated or caused one skilled in the art of installing foundations for playground equipment or other foundation systems to see this unique system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment as obvious to one skilled in the industry. The system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment called a SURFIRE TEMPLATE provides an answer to a contractor with foundations that avoid all the problems mentioned above as well as the advantages listed below in an efficient manner.

This invention provides a system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” It is comprised of a tarp which has holes at strategic locations which can be laid on the ground for marking the ground at each of the holes for foundations of the equipment and components of the equipment. For footing and foundation layouts, these footings dimensions can be printed on life size/to scale “tarps or fabric” which can be laid out in the installation area and positioned to the exact needed use zone or placement of the site. After the position has been confirmed the footings can be cut to the appropriate footing size and excavated, giving a clean/dry work area and can be left to remain on the ground as a weed/vegetation barrier. This SurFire template is a huge timesaver.

The preferred embodiment of A system and method for assisting and improving the installation a set of playground equipment and other related components called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE” comprising: (a) a full-size template placed on a top surface of a tarp, said tarp configured with a perimeter and with a predetermined length and width, and the tarp made of durable materials; (b) a series of circles pre-located on the top surface of the tarp and each circle having a center; (c) a series of stakes and/or rebar placed at the center of each of the series of circles; and (d) a pre-sized flap denoted by the stakes and/or rebar for access under the tarp surface wherein the flaps provide access to a ground surface below the tarp and wherein the ground surface under the flaps can be excavated to create a series of void/holes for a set of foundations of a pre-determined size, and wherein each of the foundations of a pre-determined size can consist of a concrete mass, reinforcing bars and/or wire, and can include embedded hardware as a means for securing a series of pre-chosen playground equipment to the set of foundations.

There are several objects and advantages of the system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment called a SURFIRE TEMPLATE. These various advantages and benefits that help the construction industry include:

Finally, other advantages and additional features of the present system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment called a SURFIRE TEMPLATE will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the full description of the device. For one skilled in the art of installing foundations for playground equipment and the like, it is readily understood that the features shown in the examples with this product can be adapted to other types of building systems and the like.

The following list refers to the drawings:

The present invention relates to a system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” This application is directed toward planning and installing concrete foundations as construction components. The foundations are for use as secure footings and foundations for the installation of playground equipment or various machines. This system and method for installing the system constitutes an improvement upon installation of reinforced concrete in pre-determined locations. The system decreases the time and thus the cost of labor, improves the quality by insuring correct dimensions for the placement of the equipment/playground apparatuses and the like. This system relates to a new foundation placement system for preparing the foundations for playground equipment, modular foundation for a home, and useful for other construction projects. These are projects that require the exact placement of the foundations for the ultimate layout of the playground equipment or other structures that are placed on reinforced concrete.

The advantages for the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment are:

The preferred embodiment of A system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation a set of playground equipmentand other related components called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE” comprising: (a) a full-size templateplaced on a top surfaceB of a tarp, said tarpconfigured with a perimeterand with a predetermined length and width, and the tarpmade of durable materials; (b) a series of circlespre-located on the top surfaceB of the tarpand each circlehaving a center; (c) a series of stakes and/or rebarplaced at the center of each of the series of circles; and (d) a pre-sized flapdenoted by the stakes and/or rebarfor access under the tarp surfaceB wherein the flapsprovide access to a ground surface below the tarp and wherein the ground surface under the flaps can be excavated to create a series of void/holesfor a set of foundationsof a pre-determined size, and wherein each of the foundationsof a pre-determined size can consist of a concrete mass, reinforcing bars and/or wire, and can include embedded hardware as a means for securing a series of pre-chosen playground equipmentto the set of foundations.

There is shown ina complete description and operative embodiment of the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well thatdemonstrate the general configuration and use of this product. The operation and use section below, describes how it is installed with the patient. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment called a SURFIRE TEMPLATE. It is understood, however, that deviceis not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples for using the device and their uses are still understood by one skilled in the art of installing foundations for equipment like playground equipment to be within the scope and spirit shown here.

A throughD are summary sketches of a system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment. Displayed in this overview page of drawings and sketches include: A system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE;” a protype deviceof a system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment; a full size templateof foundationlayout; a tarpleft in place as a weed barrierA under the ground cover; a layout of general park; a reserved playground area; and a SurFire methodfor installing foundationswith full sized template.

A andB are sketches and a designed set of plans for the installation of playground equipmentwith dimensions and requirements for the foundations. Demonstrated in these drawings are: A system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE;” a tarpfor full size templateof foundation layout; top surfaceB of the tarp; a perimeterof the entire layout; a slot/void/cut-out/flapin tarpfor foundation; and a marker/circle or equalto indicate where the stakesare located. The predetermined numberor ## for dimensioning and for locating the equipment foundation for a specific piece of playground equipmentat specific location on the tarp(see drawingsA andB).

is a sample park layoutwith one section shown for a playgroundand its equipment. In the playground areais where the equipmentis installed. By using the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE” the equipmentis placed accurately per the architect's or landscaper's plans. The equipment is placed on the foundationslab pier, push pier, slab, reinforced with rebar and wire which was installed under the slot/void/cut-out/flapin tarpfor foundationinterior to the open area/removed dirt and gravelfor placement of foundation. The set of location stakes/postsfor setting tarpand marker/circle or equalwere used to indicate where the stakesare located. Also, an embedded hardwareas a means for securing playground equipmentto the foundation. The layout of the general parkis shown with a reserved playground area. The playground equipmentfor example, includes slides, swing sets, monkey bars, merry go rounds, teeter-totters, and climbing sets. Over the tarp,A an amount of ground coversuch as rubber pellets, shredded tired, wood mulch, etc. or unitary sheet are placed to reduce injury when a child falls or rolls onto the ground surface. Playground structures often include several components and designs specialized for specific age groups, while individual components give you the opportunity to customize. Age group ranges for play equipment are often broken into the following categories: two to five years for preschoolers, two to 12 years for inclusive play and five to 12 years for active or older kids. Some community park playground components often include:

A throughF are sketches of a typical playgroundthat is completely installed over the foundationsinstalled by the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment called a SURFIRE TEMPLATE. In these drawings seen are several examples of using the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE;” the playground equipmentfor example, slides, swing sets, monkey bars, merry go rounds, teeter-totters, climbing sets; placed on the amount of ground coversuch as rubber pellets, shredded tired, wood mulch, etc. or unitary sheet.

A throughE are sketches of a system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment, the sketches have components of the system noted. These sketches show the components of the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” Here is a protype deviceof a system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment; a full size templateof foundationlayout; a sketch of a foundation—slab pier, push pier, slab, reinforced with rebar and wire; a tarpfor full size templateof foundation layout; if left in place the tarp acts as a weed barrierA under the ground cover. One also notes the perimeterof the entire layout; a slot/void/cut-out/flapin tarpfor foundation; in the sketch, one sees an open area/removed dirt and gravelfor placement of foundation; a set of location stakes/postsfor setting tarp; a marker/circle or equalto indicate where the stakesare located; a set of embedded hardwareas a means for securing playground equipmentto the foundationand an amount of ground coversuch as rubber pellets, shredded tired, wood mulch, etc. or unitary sheet. The location stakes/postsfor setting tarpare anticipated to be made from various materials such as wood, steel alloys, rebar, plastic, reinforced plastic, composite materials, and the like.

is a method/process for using the system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment and other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.” This is discussed in the Operations section, below.

A throughG are examples of Prior Art in the field of system and method for assisting and improving the installation of foundations and related building systems playground equipment. These include: Prior Art 700 JP6554101B2 to Ned Abrahms in 2016 for a Method of laying foundations; Prior Art 710 U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,002 issued to William Mead for a Modular building structure; Prior Art 720 US Pub. 20090277031A1 applied in 2009 called Construction layout method and template; Prior Art 730 U.S. Ser. No. 11/739,492 by Robert Carretto 2023 for a Modular foundation assembly; Prior Art 740 US20030061722A1 by Wade Bradley applied in 2001 with an invention called Polygrid; Prior Art 750 GB 2551522 to Wood Martin A Construction template, system and method; and Prior Art 760 U.S. Pat. No. 11,297,780 issued to Alexander Betz in 2022 for a System and Method for creating an area of landscaping.

As can be seen, the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment for use by contractors is a unique construction system and method with the advantages shown above.

The materials and components shown for the tarpof the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation a set of playground equipmentand other related components called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE” include biodegradable landscape fabric, 3.2 oz UV Resistant Landscape Fabric, 3 oz Non-Woven Highly Permeable Landscape Fabric, 5 oz UV Resistant Landscape Fabric, 10 oz Burlap Fabric, Straw Erosion Control Blanket, 100% Coconut Erosion Control Blanket, Weed Control 4 Mil Black Plastic Sheeting, Weed Control 6 Mil Black Plastic Sheeting, Weed Control 6 Mil Black/White Polyethylene Sheeting, and Poly Mulch Black Polyethylene Film and the like.

The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a system and method for assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment can be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of playground equipment and/or foundations and the like and related devices.

The preferred embodiment of a system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation a set of playground equipmentand other related components called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE” comprising: (a) a full-size templateplaced on a top surfaceB of a tarp, said tarpconfigured with a perimeterand with a predetermined length and width, and the tarpmade of durable materials; (b) a series of circlespre-located on the top surfaceB of the tarpand each circlehaving a center; (c) a series of stakes and/or rebarplaced at the center of each of the series of circles; and (d) a pre-sized flapdenoted by the stakes and/or rebarfor access under the tarp surfaceB wherein the flapsprovide access to a ground surface below the tarp and wherein the ground surface under the flaps can be excavated to create a series of void/holesfor a set of foundationsof a pre-determined size, and wherein each of the foundationsof a pre-determined size can consist of a concrete mass, reinforcing bars and/or wire, and can include embedded hardware as a means for securing a series of pre-chosen playground equipmentto the set of foundations.

is a method/processfor using the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipmentand other related components and/or a system with life-size layout templates and a methodology for installation of foundations and other structures called “SURFIRE TEMPLATE.”

Many uses for construction and installation are anticipated for the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

With this description it is to be understood that the system and methodfor assisting and improving the installation of playground equipment is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the present SURFIRE TEMPLATEare intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.

Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.