GB2368804A

GB2368804A - A play roundabout for use by wheelchair occupiers

Info

Publication number: GB2368804A
Application number: GB0121106A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hefin Lloyd Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-04
Filing date: 2001-08-31
Publication date: 2002-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-31
Also published as: GB0121106D0; GB2368804B; GB0021634D0

Abstract

A play roundabout 10 comprises a platform 24 rotatable about a central axis and being mounted within a surround 14 and generally flush therein. The surround 14 may be sunk into the ground so that the platform 24 may be level with the ground. The platform 24 may rotate with respect to the surround 14 by the arrangement of a system of rollers, wheels or balls (18, see figure 2) that are fixed to the surround 14 via a beam (16, see figure 2). Said platform 24 may rotate about a central axis post, which may be linked to said surround 14 by the aforementioned beams (16, see figure 2). A bearing system may be employed to facilitate a smooth rotation of the platform 24. Said platform 24 may have at least an area 20 for receiving and retaining a wheelchair (62, see figure 7). Features of this area 20 may include a gated enclosure with single or split gates 60 and handrails. Said gate or gates 60 may only open inwards for entry of a wheelchair (62, see figure 7), and may include a pivot spring system (see figures 4 and 5) for biassing said gates 60 into a closed position. The roundabout 10 may also have one or more seats 22 provided on the platform 24. Also disclosed is a play roundabout 10 that comprises a platform 24 having at least one area 20 for receiving and retaining a wheelchair (62, see figure 7).

Description

TITLE : Improvements in and relating to play roundabouts. DESCRIPTION This invention concerns improvements in and relating to play roundabouts.

Play roundabouts generally comprise a circular platform rotatable about a central post. The platform is supported 60 to 100mm above the surrounding ground surface and has radially arranged hand rails, whereby the platform can be pushed by a person off the platform to give it sufficient rotational speed for those on the platform and gripping the hand rails.

Such roundabouts are enjoyed by children with the ability to stand on the platform and grip the handrails. However, children who are confined to wheelchairs are unable to enjoy such roundabouts. Firstly, it is difficult to mount a wheelchair on the platform because of the step up and secondly there is no means of retaining a wheelchair on the platform. The centrifugal force created as the platform rotates will tend to throw the wheelchair off the platform.

An object of this invention is to provide a play roundabout suitably for use by occupiers of wheelchairs.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a play roundabout comprising a platform rotatable about a generally central vertical axis, the platform being mounted within a surround and generally flush therewith.

The surround can be sunk into the ground, so that the platform is at ground level. In that way a wheelchair can easily be pushed onto the platform.

Within the surround there are preferably provided rolling supports for the platform, such as wheels, rollers or balls. The wheels, rollers or balls are preferably provided in diametrically opposed pairs and are preferably towards the periphery of the platform. The wheels, rollers or balls may be mounted on beams, which are preferably fixed under the surround.

The platform will preferably have a central axis post rotatably mounted in a support structure preferably linked to the surround by the aforementioned beams. The support structure preferably includes bearings to facilitate smooth rotation of the platform.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a play roundabout comprising a platform rotatable about a central vertical axis, the platform having at least one area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair.

The area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair preferably comprises a gated enclosure. Preferably a pair of such areas will be provided, conveniently opposite each other. The gated enclosure can have a single gate but ideally a split gate will be provided each part of the gate opening and closing independently. The gate or gate parts preferably only open inwards for entry of a wheelchair. Once the wheelchair is on the platform the gate or gate parts when closed preferably cannot open outwards, so that the wheelchair cannot roll off the platform.

The gate or gate parts preferably have a lower pivot system that includes an off-centre pin movable in an arcuate track between a closed gate position, in which the pin is located in a depression at one end of the track and an open position achieved by lifting the gate and hence the pin from its depression and pivoting the gate until the pin reaches the other end of the track. A second depression may be provided at the opposite end of the track, into which the pin can drop with the gate to hold the gate open.

The gate or gate parts, however, are preferably biased towards closing, such as by spring means urging the gate downwards, preferably also having a lower pivot pin for the gate with a sloping surface pivoting in a slot with an oppositely sloping base, so that the gate will tend to a closed position with the two sloping faces fully meeting.

The gate or gate parts may also have their pivoting movement damped by any suitable means.

The play roundabout of the invention preferably has means for preventing sideways tipping of a wheelchair on the platform. Conveniently, gates or gate parts may be provided with a projection or shelf that extends inwardly to overlie the rear wheels of a wheelchair on the platform with its rear facing a gate.

The preferred roundabout of this aspect of the invention may also have one or more seats where particularly a handicapped person can be seated.

Preferably two seats will be provided and preferably opposite each other. The seats preferably face inwards and are preferably accessible for a wheelchair user by firstly pushing the wheelchair into one of the wheelchair enclosures.

The wheelchair enclosures preferably have sides in the form of handrails, as do the seats so that the roundabout can be used concentrically. Preferably cross braces are provided linking handrails across the platform, preferably diametrically, for additional strength.

A preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention has a pair of opposed wheelchair enclosures and a pair of opposite seats with free platform space between sides of the wheelchair enclosures and sides of the seats.

The roundabout of this aspect of the invention may also be a roundabout according to the first aspect of the invention.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partially completed play roundabout according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows underside detail of the roundabout of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows gate system detail of the roundabout of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows further detail of the gate system of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows yet further detail of the gate system of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a play roundabout according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the gate for the roundabout of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the gate of Figure 6; Figure 9 shows the gate of Figure 6 in the closed position; and Figure 10 shows the gate of Figure 6 in the open position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, a play roundabout 10 comprises a circular platform 12 arranged for axial rotation within a surround 14. The platform and top of the surround are flush, so that when the surround is set into the ground, the platform is level with the ground.

Below the surround 14 are radial beams 16 on which are mounted pairs of wheels 18 on which the platform runs and is supported. The platform has a central post on its underside rotatable in bearings (not shown).

On its top surface the platform 12 has a hand rail system providing a pair of opposed enclosures 20 for receiving and retaining wheelchairs, a pair of opposed spaces for seats 22 and free platform spaces 24 between each of the enclosures 20 and seat spaces.

The wheelchair enclosures 20 extend to the centre of the platform where there is a transverse rail 28. Entry to the enclosures 20 is via gate pairs 30 (only one shown on each side of the platform in Figure 1). The gates are arranged to open inwards only and the enclosures 20 are sufficiently deep to allow a wheelchair to be pushed onto the platform beyond the open gates, so that they can then be closed.

The seats 22 are padded and are accessible via the wheelchair enclosures. Possibly seat belts may be provided for securing users of the seats for safety.

The free platform spaces 24 may be used conventionally.

The gates 30 have at the base of side member 31 a central lower pivot pin 40 located in a hole 42 and a second offset pin 44 that locates in an arcuate track 46 (see, in particular, Figures 3 to 5). At one end (gate closed position) the track has a depression 48 into which the pin 44 drops to hold the gate closed. The gate is opened by lifting it to clear the pin 44 from the depression 48 and then pivoting the gate about the pin 40.

At its top the gate side member 31 is slidably and pivotally located in an inverted cup 50 on the adjacent handrail. In the cup is spring means (not shown) to urge the gate downwards to help urge it to and hold it in a closed position.

The pin 40 has a sloping bottom surface 54 and the hole 42 has an oppositely sloping bottom 56. The sloping surfaces are arranged so that when the gate is closed, the faces abut but as the gate is opened they separate but on release of the gate in combination with the above-mentioned spring means, the gate will automatically return to the closed position.

Finally in Figures 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a preferred play roundabout according to the present invention. Features that are identical to the roundabout shown in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals and only the differences will be discussed in detail. The roundabout 10 is provided with gates 60 which have been designed to provide additional stability for a wheelchair 62 on the platform 12, especially against sideways tipping. The gate 60 operates in the same manner as gate 30 except that it has a shelf 64 projecting from its top rail 66 at a slightly upward angle. As can be seen from Figure 7, the shelf 64 is provided at a height to overlie the rear wheels of wheelchair 62, so as to prevent the wheelchair from tipping over sideways as the roundabout revolves. Diagonal cross braces 68 are provided across the central region of the roundabout linking handrails across the platform.

The play roundabout illustrated has the advantage that the platform can be level with the surrounding ground, and so wheelchairs can be pushed onto and off the platform easily. Thus, the roundabout can be used by wheelchair occupants. The different spaces provided on the platform allow not only wheelchair users but also handicapped persons generally (on the seat) as well as able-bodied persons to use the roundabout together.

Claims

Claims : 1. A play roundabout comprising a platform rotatable about a generally central vertical axis, the platform being mounted within a surround and generally flush therewith.
2. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surround can be sunk into the ground, so that the platform is at ground level.
3. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein within the surround there are provided rolling supports for the platform.
4. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rolling supports are selected from wheels, rollers and balls.
5. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the rolling supports are provided in diametrically opposed pairs.
6. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 3,4 or 5, wherein the rolling supports are towards the periphery of the platform.
7. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the rolling supports are mounted on beams fixed under the surround.
8. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the platform has a central axis post rotatably mounted in a support structure.
9. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support structure is linked to the surround by the aforementioned beams.
10. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the support structure includes bearings to facilitate smooth rotation of the platform.
11. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the platform has at least one area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair.
12. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 11, wherein the area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair comprises a gated enclosure.
13. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 11 or 12, having a pair of areas for receiving wheelchairs.
14. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 13, wherein said areas are opposite each other.
15. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 12,13 or 14, wherein the gated enclosures have single gates.
16 A play roundabout as claimed in claim 12,13 or 14, wherein the gated enclosures have split gates, each part of the gate opening and closing independently.
17. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the gate or gate parts only open inwards for entry of a wheelchair.
18. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the gate or gate parts have a lower pivot system that includes an off-centre pin movable in an arcuate track between a closed gate position, in which the pin is located in a depression at one end of the track and an open position achieved by lifting the gate and hence the pin from its depression and pivoting the gate until the pin reaches the other end of the track.
19. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 18, wherein a second depression is provided at the opposite end of the track, into which the pin can drop with the gate to hold the gate open.
20. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the gate or gate parts are biased towards closing.
21. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 20, wherein spring means is provided to urge the gate downwards.
22. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 20, also having a lower pivot pin for the gate with a sloping surface pivoting in a slot with an oppositely sloping base, so that the gate will tend to a closed position with the two sloping faces fully meeting.
23. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the gate or gate parts have means for damping their pivoting movement.
24. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein a gate or gate part has a shelf or the like projecting therefrom to overlie rear wheels of a wheelchair on the platform.
25. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 having one or more seats where particularly a handicapped person can be seated.
26. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 25, wherein two seats are provided on the platform.
27. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 26, wherein the two seats are opposite each other.
28. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 25,26 or 27, wherein the seats face inwards.
29. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 28, wherein the seats are accessible for a wheelchair user by firstly pushing the wheelchair into one of the wheelchair enclosures.
30. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 29, wherein the wheelchair enclosures have sides in the form of handrails.
31. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the seats have sides in the form of handrails.
32. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the platform has a pair of opposed wheelchair enclosures and a pair of opposite seats with free platform space between sides of the wheelchair enclosures and sides of the seats.
33. A play roundabout comprising a platform rotatable about a central vertical axis, the platform having at least one area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair.
34. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 33, wherein the area for receiving and retaining a wheelchair comprises a gated enclosure.
35. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 33 or 34, having a pair of areas for receiving wheelchairs.
36. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 35, wherein said areas are opposite each other.
37. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 34,35 or 36, wherein the gated enclosures have single gates.
38. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 34,35 or 36, wherein the gated enclosures have split gates, each part of the gate opening and closing independently.
39. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein the gate or gate parts only open inwards for entry of a wheelchair.
40. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 39, wherein the gate or gate parts have a lower pivot system that includes an off-centre pin movable in an arcuate track between a closed gate position, in which the pin is located in a depression at one end of the track and an open position achieved by lifting the gate and hence the pin from its depression and pivoting the gate until the pin reaches the other end of the track.
41. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 40, wherein a second depression is provided at the opposite end of the track, into which the pin can drop with the gate to hold the gate open.
42. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein the gate or gate parts are biased towards closing.
43. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 42, wherein spring means is provided to urge the gate downwards.
44. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 43, also having a lower pivot pin for the gate with a sloping surface pivoting in a slot with an oppositely sloping base, so that the gate will tend to a closed position with the two sloping faces fully meeting.
45. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 44, wherein the gate or gate parts have means for damping their pivoting movement.
46. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 45, wherein a gate or gate part has a shelf or the like projecting therefrom to overlie rear wheels of a wheelchair on the platform.
47. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 46 having one or more seats where particularly a handicapped person can be seated.
48. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 47, wherein two seats are provided on the platform.
49. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 48, wherein the two seats are opposite each other.
50. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 47,48 or 49, wherein the seats face inwards.
51. A play roundabout as claimed in claim 50, wherein the seats are accessible for a wheelchair user by firstly pushing the wheelchair into one of the wheelchair enclosures.
52. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 51, wherein the wheelchair enclosures have sides in the form of handrails.
53. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 52, wherein the seats have sides in the form of handrails.
54. A play roundabout as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 53, wherein the platform has a pair of opposed wheelchair enclosures and a pair of opposite seats with free platform space between sides of the wheelchair enclosures and sides of the seats.
55. A play roundabout substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.