Playground PresentationKevin Chaung

Period 7

IED

The Problem

• The problem was to design a playground for the 4 to 6-year-old age set.

• It had to be safe, be the correct size, and have at least 3 types of play.

Research

• The average height of a 5-year-old is 43”. The average weight is 43 to 48 lbs.

• Playgrounds shouldn’t be more than 8 feet high for children.

• Plastic is better than wood because it will not shrink or rot.

• Rubber or tire shreds are the best surface because it cushions falls.

The Solution

• This playground is simple to assemble by a few people.

• It doesn’t have very many unique parts to it, which makes it simpler.

Forms of Play

• This playground has 3 forms of play.

• There are slides, ladders for climbing, and a separate sandbox.

Advanced Inventor Skills

Coil/HelixRectangular Pattern

Revolve

Materials

• All parts are polyurethane plastic except for the ladder bars, platform bars, and the slide bar, which are metal.

• This reduces weight and is better than wood because it doesn’t rot.

These parts are made of aluminum.

Construction

• No bolts or nails are needed.

• All construction is done by inserting poles or shapes into the designated areas.

This ladder bar is inserted into this specially shaped hole.

Construction (cont.)

• Setting up the construction is as easy as putting the supports in place and then sliding on the platforms.

• This allows for quick disassembly.

Construction (cont.)

• The whole system can be built by a few people working together in a very short time.

• The slide is exactly 1 foot above the bottom of the supports to allow for 1 foot of shredded tire or rubber surfacing.

The supports are covered in about 1 foot of tire shreds, which the slides rest on.

Design

• This playground was designed to be safe.

• The platform is only about 3 ft. above the rubber surface.

• The rubber surface reduces the impact if someone falls off.

Design (cont.)

• There are two slides for different speeds.

• The bars of the ladders are only 8” apart to prevent falling between them.

• The slides have sides to prevent falling.

One slide is shorter and steeper.

The other is longer and less steep.

Design (cont.)

• Holes in the platforms drain water and lighten the weight.

Comparison

Possible Improvements

• The ladders could have sides to further prevent falls.

• The slides could have higher sides.

• The head platform could have additional playthings.