EP1575683B1 - Swing - Google Patents

Abstract

A swing in accordance with the invention has four side elements ( 2 ) and four connecting elements ( 3 ). The four side elements ( 2 ) and four connecting elements ( 3 ) are components of a frame ( 4 ). A plurality of interwoven band elements ( 5 ) is attached to the frame ( 4 ), which band elements form a bearing surface ( 7 ) inside the frame ( 4 ). The band elements ( 5 ) comprise fastening elements ( 6 ) on their two end sections which fastening elements can be connected to the side elements ( 2 ).

Description

The invention relates to a swing and in particular to a children's swing for suspension on a support beam, and further on a frame.

So far, for example, a multi-child swing type "bird's nest" is known, which is sold by numerous game equipment manufacturers. This swing has a robust design and is preferably used in playgrounds stationary on a support beam. This swing has a round frame in the plan view. The swing is suspended at four equally spaced attachment points on your frame via ropes, chains or rods at two spaced suspension points on a support beam. On the frame, a plurality of closely interconnected heavy link elements form a downwardly curved shape, in which children can set, set or lay for rocking.

The publication DE 74 25 876 U shows, for example, a swing with a circular frame in which a flexible floor is suspended by means of a rope.

The US 4,654,262 shows a deck chair, which can be converted into a handcart. The seat and back of this deck chair are covered with a braid of canvas. However, how and when this braid is applied can not be inferred from this document.

Furthermore, the document shows DE 19 750 506 A1 a swing seat made of attachable elements.
The object of this invention is to provide an improved swing that is easy to manufacture, assemble and disassemble.

This object is achieved by the combination of the features of claim 1 of the invention.

Further developments of the invention are defined in the respective dependent claims.

A swing according to the invention consists for example of four side elements and four connecting elements. The four side elements and four connecting elements together form a frame. Attached to the frame is a plurality of interlaced ribbon elements forming a support surface within the frame. In this case, the band elements on its two end portions fastening elements which are connectable to the side members.

As a result, the swing consists of very few parts. The intertwined ribbon elements create a comfortable bearing surface that can support one or more children in a sitting or lying position, depending on size. In addition, the swing is particularly easy by the formation of the support surface of band elements.

In this case, the connecting elements are angled pipe sections, which consist of a lower and an upper half-shell, so that the side elements whose outer diameter correspond approximately to the inner diameters of the connecting elements between the upper and lower half-shell are clamped. That one end of a tube is clamped between upper and lower half-shells. In each case, two tubes can be clamped to a connecting element. Alternatively, a positive connection can be used.

As a result, easy assembly and disassembly can be achieved with only a few fasteners. The number of components is kept low, with the required space in the disassembled state is minimal.

The frame may be rectangular in plan view, ie have a square or other rectangular shape.

This simplifies the assembly and use of the swing. It can be done by anyone.

In a development, the fastening elements of the band elements are formed as loops. The side elements are easy to guide through the loops.

As a result, a particularly simple attachment of the band elements is provided on the side elements, which do not require additional fastening means. The replacement of a damaged band element is possible at any time and only requires the release of the frame, the extraction of two side elements and the replacement by a new band element.

The loops are particularly preferably woven into the band elements.

This compound is thus particularly durable and tear-resistant.

The frame may consist of eight side elements and eight connecting elements in a development.

This allows a different, shapely shape of the frame and the support surface.

Furthermore, the side elements can be formed as tubes, wherein at least one tube can be curved. In this case, a downwardly bulging bearing surface is formed together with the band elements.

The formation of the side elements as pipes a lighter but still stable frame is created. The curvature of the tubes allows the bulging support surface, which is on the one hand shapely and on the other hand, a body adapted to the pleasant and safe support surface for persons, such as children forms. By the position of the curved tube or the curved tubes, the support surface of the intertwined ribbon elements is loosely or taut fixed.

In a further embodiment, the swing can be suspended from four fastening devices on four connecting elements of the frame.

This allows for a stable and balanced suspension at four points spaced most near each other.

Particularly preferably, the fastening means consist of screw elements which simultaneously serve as a clamping device for the lower and upper half-shell of the connecting elements.

This further reduces the number of necessary components.

In a particularly preferred form, the fasteners and side members are of light metal, e.g. Aluminum, manufactured and are weather resistant and as impact protection with a suitable damping material, e.g. Rubber, coated.

As a result, at the same time a corrosion-protected, safe and easy swing is possible.

The swing can be assembled by attaching the band elements to three side elements and intertwining the band elements together, and only then guiding the last side element through the respective remaining loops of the band elements. For example, a part of the band members is first attached to two opposite side members, ie, passed through the loops, then the other part of the band members are braided transversely to the one part of the band members by these band members, then the remaining two side members are successively slid through associated loops. The order could be different, but always a fourth page element is mounted last.

The connecting elements are preferably mounted only after the attachment of the band elements to the side elements and after the braiding of the band elements.

As a result, the assembly is facilitated and in particular allows a stress-free interweaving of the band elements.

As a result, the swing is quickly dismantled, to give it e.g. Seasonally stowed or transport them, and reassemblable. As a result, the swing can also be sold in a particularly compact form and as a kit.

Furthermore, the swing in the form of a one-point, two-point or other multipoint suspension can be hung.

• Figur 1 ist eine schematische perspektivische Gesamtansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles der Schaukel.
• Figur 2 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Seitenelements.
• Figur 3 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Verbindungselements.
• Figur 4 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Bandelements.
• Figur 5 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Befestigungseinrichtung.

As a result, various applications of the swing are possible.

• FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of an embodiment of the swing.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a side member.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a connecting element.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a band member.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fastening device.

FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a swing 1 obliquely from above. The swing 1 consists of four in the middle slightly bent down tubes 2 (see also Fig. 2 ), which serve as page elements. The tubes 2 are arranged in plan view in a rectangular shape. Respective opposite tubes 2 are formed in the same shape. Tubes 2 on the longer side of the rectangle are hereinafter referred to as longitudinal tubes. Tubes 2 on the shorter side of the rectangle will be referred to below as cross tubes. At their ends, the tubes 2 are connected to corner connectors 3, which serve as connecting elements. The corner connectors 3 are almost rectangular pipe sections. The ends of the tubes 2 are pushed into the corner connector 3. A bearing surface 7 is formed from each other like a checkerboard braided bands 5, which serve as band members. The bands 5 are attached at their ends to the tubes 2. Ribbons 5 parallel to the longitudinal tubes are hereinafter referred to as longitudinal strips, wherein bands 5 are referred to parallel to the cross tubes hereinafter as transverse bands.

Corresponding Fig. 4 For example, the bands 5 are provided with easy-to-produce woven loops 6 serving as fastening means at the end portions thereof. The bands 5 are integrally formed and have an interlaced loop 6 at end portions, ie the band consisting of one layer divides at the beginning of the loop 6 in two superimposed layers and is at the end of the loop back to a position. A woven area between loop 6 and the end of the tape is over. The tape ends (the woven area) are glued over to provide additional shock protection.

Corresponding Fig. 3 the corner connectors 3 consist of an upper half-shell 3a and a lower half-shell 3b. That is the Corner connectors 3 are divided in the plane of their right angle approximately in the middle. As a result, the assembly of the swing 1 is facilitated and it is the pipes 2 connected by a simple clamping connection by screwing the two half shells together.

The frame 4 of the swing 1 is suspended from its four corner connectors 3. In this case, an eyelet 8 forms a Klemmvorichtung. The eye bolts 8 each consist of an eyelet and a threaded pin. The eyebolts 8 are screwed into the corner connectors 3 at their corner (center). With the grub screw of the eyelet 8, the two half shells 3a, 3b are screwed together, wherein in the lower half-shell 3a is either a thread into which the eyelet 8 is screwed or a self-locking nut. The eyelet screw 8 is screwed in so that the eyelet points upwards. Screwing in is possible manually with a simple tool. At the eyelet is a swing hanger, i. e.g. a cord, a rope, a chain or the like attached.

The swing 1 is mounted by the loops 6 are pushed by transverse bands (longitudinal bands) on a longitudinal tube (cross tube). In this case, the bands touch 5, to later form a close-meshed network 7, which serves as a support surface. Next, the opposite tube is pushed through the loops 6 at the other ends of the transverse bands (longitudinal bands). Each longitudinal band (transverse band) could also be successively pushed first on one tube then on the other tube. Next, the loops 6 of one end of longitudinal bands (transverse bands) are pushed onto a cross tube (longitudinal tube). The longitudinal bands (transverse bands) also touch each other. Then the longitudinal bands (transverse bands) are braided successively perpendicular to the transverse bands (longitudinal bands) in the transverse bands (longitudinal bands). This means that, for example, the first transverse band (longitudinal band) over the first longitudinal band (transverse band), then below the second longitudinal band (transverse band), then again over the third longitudinal band (cross band), etc. is performed. The second transverse band (longitudinal band) is guided eg under the first longitudinal band (transverse band), then over the second longitudinal band (transverse band), then again under the third longitudinal band (transverse band), etc. Accordingly, all transverse bands (longitudinal bands) are used. After complete entanglement are on the opposite side of a cross tube (longitudinal tube), the other ends of the longitudinal bands (transverse bands) with the loops 6 over. Through these loops 6, the other cross tube (longitudinal tube) is pushed. Subsequently, the corner connectors 3 are mounted by the two pipe ends are positioned in a half shell 3b of the corner connector 3 at a corner of the support surface and then the other half-shell 3a is placed on it. Then the eyelet screw 8 is screwed into the corner connector 3 and the tubes 2 clamped to the corner connector 3 by screwing and tightening the eyebolt 8. This is how to proceed with all four corner connectors 3.

The tubes 2 are made in this embodiment of aluminum and have a circular cross-section. The tubes 2 are provided with a soft and rubberized cushioning layer, e.g. Rubber, surrounded. The corner connectors 3 are also sheathed. As a result, the required shock protection is guaranteed in accordance with the Gaming Equipment Ordinance.

The suspension of the swing on a support beam (not shown) can be done either at two points or at one point. For example, a string is first knotted to the eyelet 8. The string is then looped through a swinging ring and returned until it ends at about halfway on a parking Variohaken. Likewise, the attachment to the other of the four eyebolts 8 takes place. Depending on the type, the suspension has two rocker rings (two-point suspension) or a rocker ring (one-point suspension). About adjustment of the position Variohaken can then swing on suspension of the swing on the Beam beams are adjusted to the desired height and balanced in the horizontal.

The stability of the swing is given. The tubes 2 are connected by means of corner connector 3 by a simple but effective clamp connection. When loading the network 7, the resulting forces on the loops 6 are routed to the tubes 2, which are thereby pressed into the corner connector 3, so that the frame is thus additionally stiffened. The same also applies to the suspension, in particular for one-point or two-point suspensions, in which the forces that occur press the tubes 2 and corner connectors 3 always together and thus the release of the frame 4 is prevented.

The swing can also have a square shape or be assembled in any other even polygonal shape. In the square shape, both longitudinal tubes and cross tubes and longitudinal strips and transverse tubes are identical. This reduces the number of different parts required. In view of a simple mountability here is a swing with six or eight sides or corners to be highlighted.

The band elements could also be otherwise intertwined so that other braid patterns are formed. The band elements could also be laterally spaced from each other.

The band members could also have other fasteners, such as e.g. also sewn loops or eyelets.

Furthermore, the connection between the side element and the connecting element can also be a positive connection. The connecting elements need not necessarily consist of two half-shells, but could also be formed in one piece. In addition, the page elements as Pipes can also be pushed over the corner connectors and not into the corner connectors. The tubes could have a round, oval or angular cross-section, wherein the corner connectors would have to be designed accordingly. The corner connectors could not be formed at right angles, such as in a hexagonal or octagonal frame.

All side elements could be straight. Alternatively, only one or more side elements could be curved, so that different curvatures of the support surface can be formed. The curvature of the tubes may be the same or different.

The side elements could also be made of plastic or wood or another material. Furthermore, the corner connectors made of different materials can be produced. Furthermore, the band elements can also be formed from different or different materials

The swing can be made in many sizes.

The components of the swing could be executed in any colors of different colored bands. Thus, by using different colored bands many patterns of the bearing surface can be formed.

The swing could also be hung on more than four fasteners or fasteners. Furthermore, the swing can also be hung on only two fasteners. In addition, the suspension can be done on two or more side elements.

The swing can be used in the private sector, in kindergartens, on playgrounds or in the physiotherapeutic area.

The frame of the swing can also be arranged so that a plurality of polygons, such as rectangles, adjoin one another and thus a plurality of adjoining support surfaces can be formed. In this case, adjacent side elements form common side elements and adjacent corner connectors common corner connectors. Corresponding corner connectors are used which can connect more than two side elements.

Further, the band members which are interlaced to the support surface may be irreversibly connected to one another prior to or after assembly of the side members. The contact agent is sprayed or painted on one or both sides of the support surface. Alternatively, the support surface can be immersed in the contact means. After solidification of the contact means, wherein, for example, a chemical connection between the contact means and the band elements takes place, a one-piece, closed support surface is thus obtained.

The side elements can not only be frictionally but also positively or frictionally and positively connected to the connecting elements. Here, the side elements may consist of tubes which are widened at their ends over a certain length. The connecting elements may consist of two half-shells for receiving and engaging the pipe ends. In this case, the half shells may have a recess or circumferential groove whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the expanded pipe section. In this recess engages the expanded pipe end form fit. In merged half-shells, which are screwed, for example, with recorded pipe end then there is a formlüssige connection between the pipe and connecting element. Here, in the connected state, a radial movement of the tube (in the circumferential direction of the tube) is possible, while an axial movement of the tube (in the direction of the tube longitudinal axis) in dependence of Saw width and the length of the expansion of the tube is limited or not possible.

The frame can be designed not only as a swing in the strict sense but also as a suspension seat or hanging chair with four side elements, wherein the lateral side elements of the seat are curved so that both a seat and a backrest is formed simultaneously.

Further, the frame may be constructed as a seat or a hanging chair so that four side members and four corner connectors form a rectangular backrest and a rectangular seat, respectively, which adjoin one another. In this case, a common side edge of the seat and backrest, so the edge of the seat and backrest, which adjoins each other, formed by a common side member and the corresponding two adjacent corner connectors also formed by common corner connectors.

Two such built-up seats next to each other with correspondingly common side elements and corner connectors can form a two-seater. It is also a multi-seater with more than two seats possible.

Two or more rectangular frames side by side of side members and corner connectors and with support surfaces of intertwined bands may further form a bed surface, such as e.g. a bed.

Claims (14)

1. A swing (1) with a frame (4) with four side elements (2) and four connecting elements (3) and bearing surface(7) with a plurality of interwoven band elements (5), which band elements (5) have fastening elements (6) on their two end sections, which fastening elements can be connected to the side elements and
   wherein the connecting elements (3) are bent tube sections consisting of a lower (3b) and an upper (3a) half shell so that bordering side elements (2), whose outer diameters correspond to the inner diameters of the connecting elements (3), can be clamped between the upper (3a) and the lower (3b) half shell of a connecting element (3) or form-fit connected thereto, thus facilitating an easy assembly and disassembly of the swing.
2. The swing (1) according to Claim 1, in which the frame (4) is rectangular.
3. The swing (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, in which fastening elements (6) of the band elements (5) are loops for receiving the side elements.
4. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 3, in which the loops (6) are woven into the band elements (5).
5. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 4, in which the frame (4) has eight side elements (2) and eight connecting elements (3).
6. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 5, in which side elements (2) are tubes and in which at least one tube (2) is curved, forming a downwardly curved bearing surface (7).
7. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 6, in which the frame (4) of the swing (1) can be suspended on four fastening devices (8) on four connecting elements (3).
8. The swing (1) according to Claim 7, in which the fastening devices (8) comprise screw elements that function at the same time as a clamping device for the lower (3b) and the upper (3a) half shell of the connecting elements (3).
9. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 8, in which the connecting elements (3) and side elements (2) are manufactured from light metal, are weather-resistant and are surrounded with a damping material as a protection against bumps.
10. The swing (1) according to Claims 3 to 8, in which the swing (1) is assembled in that a fourth side element (2) is run through the loops of the band elements only after the attaching of the band elements (5) to three of the side elements (2) and the interweaving of the band elements (5).
11. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 10, in which the connecting elements are assembled after the attaching of the side elements (2) to the band elements (5) and after the interweaving of the band elements (5).
12. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 11, in which the swing (1) can be suspended in theform of a single-point-, two-point or multi-point suspension.
13. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 12, in which the band elements (5) are connected by a contact means.
14. The swing (1) according to Claims 1 to 13, in which the side element is a tube that is widened out on its ends and the connecting element has a corresponding recess.

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