Playing is the key to life Children need to play to find the right approach to life. When playing, children gain experience by physical and mental actions and get to know the world around them. The more possibilities they have for play, the better the chance that they can develop their abilities. They need play for sound development; they play to learn how to live.
Mankind and Play The expression “Homo ludens”, the playing man, determined 1938 by the Dutch cultural historian Johan Huizinga, contains the conviction that play is a basic category of human behaviour and thus a culturally significant factor of society. Therefore, our vision of the social life of man also contains the factor, play. Playing should run like a central thread through almost all fields of life and have a positive effect on all generations. As a result, our range contains offers for play, movement and experience for people of all age groups.
Progress and Tradition Our work in designing and producing play equipment is based on 40 years experience of woodwork and, latterly, metalwork. We are open for the spirit of the times and, consequently, our considerable technical know-how, our creativity and our comprehensive knowledge around the theme mankind and play are steadily growing. We adapt our production and our range to current needs, without neglecting our focus: creating and maintaining a product quality which enriches the quality of life of human beings. The quality of our products is determined by: · high play value · as much safety as necessary · long-lasting stability · easy maintenance · environmental orientation · careful selection of materials
Richter Spielgeräte GmbH established 1967 employees 60 subcontractors 4 company premises 10.000 m² production area 1.500 m² number of products 500 83 112 Frasdorf/Germany phone +49-(0)80 52-1 79 80 fax +49-(0)80 52-41 80 richter-spielgeraete.de, info@richter-spielgeraete.de
Working for all people
In the following chapter you will find standard elements for combination and some pre-arranged proposals for such combinations. Of course, there are also other possibilities. With the aid of our planning CD-ROM „Planning Aid“, you can design individual play combinations on your own. The software required is AutoCAD 2000 or higher versions. If you do not have this, we are happy to make a perspective according to your proposal. We are happy to send you the CD on request.
The cladding boards of the tower walls are de-barked by hand. Through this we retain the natural structure of the wood in the final product. We want to feel the branches and see the grain. Everything has the irregularity of natural growth. Even though this raw material necessitates individual manual construction, the natural surface is more important to us than the cost saving of industrial production with standard construction parts. The playrooms of our towers are also little house play equipment and their size corresponds to children‘s feelings of what a room should be. A bench in the lower room encourages meeting and chatting. In it children feel sheltered and protected. Climbing up to the next floor is also exciting. Different combination elements such as slide, suspension bridge, chain path etc. make the tower a central meeting point.
The Platform is well suited as centre of a small play installation. Through the versatile attachment offers, above all attractive activity equipment such as slide, inclined wall, climbing net or firemen‘s pole, many children can play at the same time; this is important, for instance, on school playgrounds. The Platform is also available with roof. Fundamental characteristics - versatile activity offers - sturdy meeting point - incentive for playing: climbing up, enjoying the view - movement: climbing Suitable - for children from 5 years - for public playgrounds leisure areas school playgrounds institutions for children
The Suspension Bridge is an attractive connection element in play centres. Interesting walking zones between fixed equipment increase the play value. Children have fun testing their skills on shaky ground. The walking boards are individually fastened to the carrying ropes which are suspended from joints to the support posts. As a result, the bridge floor is very flexible and enables several exciting activities. A possible alternative to the chains is the version with supporting ropes and railings made of Corocord® rope. We recommend this version in situations where the clattering of the chain handrails may be disturbing.
Because of its individual shape, the Pyramid Tower catches the eye and is therefore suited as a playground signal and lends the site an unmistakable character. The metal tip reflects sunlight and the cladding is transparent, letting light pass through, despite its sturdiness. A colour design as shown on the picture (special version) provides an interesting acentuation. If the towers are grouped, it is possible to create a spectacular slide system with connecting tunnels which will undoubtedly form a big attraction in leisure areas.
The Wobbly Platform is an interesting combination element for play centres. Its unusual shape and the inclined support posts contribute to the outstanding appearance. As soon as a participant steps on the platform, he gets surprised by a gentle movement. Fundamental characteristics - sturdy wooden construction with natural posts, fitted together in a foundation joint - gentle springy and swinging movement Suitable - for children from 5 years - for public playgrounds leisure areas parks school playgrounds
Younger children need, apart from a sand box, big play elements on playgrounds with which they can practise simple exercises. With them, children can make their first walking and climbing attempts, holding on to the grip-friendly wooden shapes and sitting on a raised place. Their child-oriented proportions and their friendly look make our little vehicles attractive for children. The used wood in its natural form conveys a feeling of warmth and safety.
Children still have the ability of imagination which is often closed to adults. They can make inanimate objects vivid with a deep conviction. In those moments they create their own reality which is very important for their emotional development. In this self-created reality, children can satisfy their needs and even cope with conflicts. Most of the children love animals and they interact with them on the same level as they are still in harmony with nature.
Many children are attracted by realistically mimicing the working world of adults as realistically as possible. Moving of heavy loads, pouring sand into pipes, switching points, digging out ditches with an excavator helps to understand physical laws and, above all, leads to satisfying play. Co-operation and communication, encouraged by our versatile play offers, make these working games very intense.
When water is required for playing, a stream is normally the most beautiful source. However, it is very rare to find this natural possibility within a play area. Therefore, we thought about different, interesting possibilities of water supply which children can try out and use with great fun. As a rule, there is a certain physical effort needed for making water flow, as for example with the pump. This gives children an unconscious idea of the value of water and is part of the play value of the installations.
Our water play installations usually are flexible modular systems which are available in different materials. The wooden, metal or concrete elements can be combined in many versions using different elements which can be assembled in relation to their location. Part of the elements have different functions: they can be used as gutter and play table at the same time or can be used for distributing and damming water. The water play systems need to be planned carefully in order to make sure that the water reaches all points of the installation.
A main characteristic of water is that it flows. For people, above all for children, it is a great pleasure being “Master” of this element for a while. To determine the direction of a stream or to dam it, to make an artificial lake and experiencing the power of water when opening the dam is very exciting. The nicely shaped metal elements can be designed in many versions and ensure intense play which children often participate in together.
Making water splash is a lot of fun not only for children. Our different water jets are cleverly thought out objects with an attractive technical design bringing delightful surprises on play areas. Physical effort and co-ordination are part of the play value of these installations.
Children like to travel on equipment that is propelled using their own power. If this can be achieved on water then the fun is doubled. Children enjoy the small risk of falling in, physical effort and skill are permanently demanded. Their co-ordination is developed through their experience of playing with weight, balance and their own force, while on water.
It is easier to understand phenomena which one can experience or observe on one’s own. If it is possible to make the correlation visible by one’s own action, the experience is even more intense. The element water is characterised by flowing, liveliness and power. With our water works physical phenomena can be experienced, and mechanical principles understood and this element experienced in a focused way.
The Cableway is a mobile piece of equipment which is enjoyed by many age groups. The feeling of speed, riding and whizzing from one station to the other affords great pleasure for younger and older children alike. Depending on age and experience, it is also possible for two to ride together at the same time. The way the cable is suspended between the two ends enables acceleration without the need for a run-up or pushing, and the shape of the gate enables riding to the end. In this equipment, the inclination of the cable slows down the ride. The agreeably designed wooden stations are an eye-catcher with high attraction. Fundamental characteristics - the special suspension of the cable enables riding to the end - quiet travelling crab - easy tensioning adjustment of the cable by one person - attractive, sturdy wooden construction - incentive for playing: wooden stations, long cable - movement: holding on to, being carried, riding Suitable - for children from 4 years - for public playgrounds children‘s institutions leisure areas open-air swimming pools parks
Turning around and feeling physical phenomena is an experience which children are looking for again and again. As a response to this wish, we offer diverse play offers around the themes turning, rotating, whirling, flying and experiencing centrifugal force. Our red Roundabout, the Rotating Plate, the Whirlwind, the Rotating Disc and the other carousel types all result in turning experience which can be achieved with a certain physical effort. Communication and co-operation deepen the play experience.
It seems to be a basic need of children to change the position of their body in a playful way. If this change happens by an unexpected, unforeseeable movement of the play equipment or the co-player, and if this is connected with a certain risk, they have special fun. The play value of some elements is increased by the experience of different heights or by the need for co-operation. See-sawing and wobbling convey information about weight, loads, load arm and height through play.
Children need the possibility to swing during their development. Swinging to and fro is a basic movement and possibly an echo of the movement within the womb. Swinging has a comforting effect, removes tensions and provides pleasure. No playground is complete without a swing. Swings are fun for young and old alike and brings everyone to life. The swing range is dependent on the mechanics of the swing and its height but also on the mood of the participant. Our wide range of swings offers fun for all ages, for single participants and groups, and for gentle and powerful swinging.
Play offers which challenge skill and balance are often used for testing or showing ones abilities. If the construction of the equipment results in unexpected movements which require concentration and if there is more risk involved in playing, the play offer is especially attractive. Finding one’s balance and staying in balance is not only an outer but also an inner condition. Play offers that help to find the physical balance also help to find one’s inner balance.
Experiencing different heights is a basic need of children; they are looking for the challenge of height. Reaching a higher starting point is an important part of the experience of sliding. The more difficult is the way up, the better and higher it is situated, the more attractive is the game. First, children enjoy being on top before they become daring and start their exhilarating way down. Often it is possible to see their pleasure from their satisfied look back up to the starting point of the slide after having reached the bottom.
Rocking and swaying are harmonious movements which have a comforting effect and help to remove tensions. Our play offers which are related to rocking and swaying can be used by single participants or in groups and allow also for more powerful activities.
Children have a natural urge for climbing. Often their self-esteem depends on their success. For this reason, climbing offers are frequently used for competition and for testing one’s own skills. Climbing activates the self-awareness more than other play activities, decisionmaking gets encouraged, concentration is trained and self-confidence is built up. Several climbing structures can be used as design elements taking into consideration the local situation. When playing in groups, sometimes children and teenagers wish to compare their skills. This playful competition is necessary for their self-assessment and for shaping their own identity. In certain circumstances, children are encouraged to improve their performance. It is not our aim to encourage the idea of “winning and losing”, but nevertheless we want to offer children the possibility for safe and playful competition.
When children are able to choose, they prefer to take the more difficult path from A to B. They love challenges and unusual situations which differ from normal life. It provides confidence and pleasure to master successfully complicated crossings. Our different bridges and crossings in the air or over the water are interesting design elements which can enrich a play area.
The Wind Pipes are simple sound equipment which enables the person „playing them“ to experience physically the relation of cause and effect. The three at ground level integrated see-saw beams can be moved independently from each other. Due to the movement of the beams, the air pressure which is required for playing the pipes is produced. By means of shifting the weight or moving from one beam to the other, different simple sequences of notes are produced. Six different notes are possible. Children enjoy very much making „music“ with the whole body or producing „beautiful“ (dreadful) sequences of notes by using the see-saw effect of the beams. Fundamental characteristics - unique and original - combination of see-sawing and experience of sound - incentive for playing: surprising element on the ground - movement: shifting one‘s weight Suitable - for all age groups - public playgrounds - children‘s institutions institutions for people with special needs pedestrian areas parks leisure areas

handicapped access equipment, disabled persons.

The roof protects a small rope structure in which children can sit or lie together. A slight relaxing movement of the net can be achieved while the children chat. The rope nest is a small meeting place where children can come to find seclusion.
Experiencing something unusual, surprising or new is enlivening and motivating. If the feeling is positive and joyful, those experiences can become a source of power and energy. Well-designed leisure areas take this into consideration and create innovative, eventful and imaginative play offers. Our special play objects and our range “play art” are particularly suited as unmistakable design elements which provide for a high leisure value.
Play value Town planning should also take into consideration artistic aspects. This does not mean single pieces of art, but the integration of art in the urban development and the people living there. The Hopscotch is a play offer which encourages social interaction between the generations and is a meeting point for children and young people in urban zones which increases the identification with a place. The Art Play Hopscotch consists of an arrangement of squares in which cylinders of variable heights are integrated centrically. Part of these cylinders are moveable, others are fixed. One pair of the moveable cylinders each is connected by an hydraulic hose; they can be lifted or moved down if someone is stepping on it. The cylinders look all the same and it is exciting for the participants and spectators which cylinder will move when someone steps on to.
The Climbing Forest is a play structure mainly suited for natural surroundings which needs to be planned individually. We would be pleased to give you additional information for your specific project.
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für Richter Spielgeraete GmbH, 83112 Frasdorf, Tel. +49(0)8052/17980, Fax. +49(0)8052/4180