NZ267717A - Swing having a head portion and seat coupled to suspension lines - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. International No. 267717 Priority Complete Specification Fifed: Z.Zz&zXk Class: (6) MIffl.Jl#:....

Publication Date: P.O. Journal No: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: A swing Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: YOUNG PRODUCTS tfFBr of The Bush Track, Aokautere, Palmerston North 5450, New Zealand ^ cn. 2-c/\ (o^-nc^ pcT/'NZ 9 4 / U 0 0 5 8 RECEIVED 0 5 APR 1995 26 7>; | 7 l a swing background of the invention This invention relates to a swing.

Over the years children have derived much amusement and pleasure from the swinging action of a swing and the rocking action of the so-called rocking horse. However, swings and rocking horses have to a large extent retained their traditional appearance. A swing which is of a construction providing both swinging and rocking actions and having a modern appearance would thus find appeal with children. summary of the invention An object of the present invention is to provide a swing having a construction which provides, in use, a movement combining swinging and rocking actions.

Broadly the invention consists of a swing comprising a seat pivotally coupled at one end to a head portion, said head portion having a handle projecting from each side thereof at a position above the level of the seat, a footrest projects from each side of the head portion and is located below the handle projecting from the corresponding side of the head portion and below the level of the seat, there being suspension means whereby the swing can be suspended, said suspension means comprising first and second suspension lines each of which passes through means associated with a respective one of the said handles and extends to and is anchored at the footrest located below the handle, and at least a third suspension line which is anchored to the seat at a position distal from the pivot coupling of the seat to the head portion. amended sheet fPBVMI PCKNZ 9 4/00058 RECE.lVto o 5 APR 1995 267 7 11 2 According to the preferred form of the invention the seat is of moulded plastics construction and preferably is bifurcated at said one end such as to locate either side of the head portion and accommodate a pivot pin which passes through the head portion and into the respective legs of the bifurcated portion.

In the preferred form of the invention a bushing is located within said moulded head portion and said pivot pin passes therethrough. brief description of the drawings « Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the swing incorporating the invention, Figure 2 is a detailed view of the pivot coupling of the seat to the head portion, and Figure 3 is a detailed cross-section showing a mounting for a suspension line to the seat. description of the preferred embodiments According to the preferred form of the invention the head portion 10 and the seat are both manufactured from plastics material (eg. UV stabilised polyethylene) and are preferably both manufactured by a blow moulding technique. The head portion 10 is configured so as to provide a three dimensional representation of an identifiable object and more particularly an animal as illustrated. The head portion preferably provides a representation of the total animal and not just the head • or part of the animal. Thus the head portion is aesthetically pleasing and attractive to young children.

The seat portion 11 is moulded such as to provide a contoured seat 12 and a bifurcated end 13. Legs 14 of the bifurcated end amended sheet PBVAU 267 7 17 W O 94/28990 PCT/NZ94/00058 13 engage either side of the head portion 10 and preferably locate in a recessed area 15 which preferably corresponds with the back portion of the animal represented by the head portion 10. It is preferred that the bifurcated end 13 fits closely 5 about the profile of recessed area 15.

Extending laterally from each side of an upper part of the head portion 10 are a pair of handles 16 these handles are preferably of moulded plastics construction and have a 10 configuration which provides a non slip surface.

In the preferred form of the invention the handles 16 are formed as a single unit which is forced through aligned openings in head portion 10. A pair of spaced apart annular is ribs 17 or raised portions which engage either side of head 10 provide for axial location of the handles 16 relative to the head portion 10.

In a like construction footrests 18 are provided at a lower end 20 of head 10 and project either side thereof. Once again footrests 18 are formed as a single unit. They can be provided with longitudinal strengthening ribs to provide rigidity.

According to the preferred construction apertures 16' and 18 • 25 are provided at the extreme outer ends of handles 16 and footrests 18. A suspension line 20 can pass through the end of each handle 16 and be anchored (by, for example, knotting of the end of the suspension line 20) at the corresponding footrest 18 located below the handle.

Likewise suspension lines 21 are anchored at or near the extreme or outer end of seat 11. As shown more particularly in Figure 3 a pair of opposed wells 22 are formed in the seat each of these wells having domed projections 23 with openings 24 35 therein and through which line 21 can'pass. The lower end of line 21 is knotted at 21" and locates substantially within the well 22 formed in the lowermost surface of seat 11. wo 94/28990 4 pct/nz94/00058 The suspension lines 20 and 21. are preferably ropes which in use are attached to mounts such as hooks (not shown) fixed to a struature such as the ceiling/rafters of a building or a stand alone frame.

As more particularly shown in Figure 2 a pair of bushings 25 are moulded into the head portion 10. These bushings can preferably be formed from silicon. The bushings are insert moulded in the head portion so that bores therein are axially io aligned. a pivot pin 27 can thus pass through openings formed in the legs 14 of the bifurcated end 13 of seat 11 such as to pass through the aligned bushings 25. In this way a robust and wear resistant pivot coupling between the seat 11 and head portion 10 is formed. To the ends of pivot pin 27 are secured 15 clip washers 26 or the like. The ends of the pivot pin 27 can be covered by caps 28.

The swing according to the invention is of economic construction yet is robust and has a modern appearance. The 20 one piece moulded head portion 10 provides a three dimensional representation of an animal which imparts a novel appearance to the swing yet does not adversely affect the swinging and rocking action achieved by the suspension lines and pivot coupling of the seat to the head portion. The product is of 25 robust construction and this is enhanced by the preferred method of coupling the seat to the head portion. pcTis-z 94/00053 RECEIVED 0 5 APR 1995 2 *m*p 6 / / 1 7

Claims (7)

1. A swing comprising a seat pivotally coupled at one end to a head portion, said head portion having a handle projecting from each side thereof at a position above the level of the seat, a footrest projects from each side of the head portion and is located below the handle projecting from the corresponding side of the head portion and below the level of the seat, there being suspension means whereby the swing can be suspended, said suspension means comprising first and second suspension lines each of which passes through means associated with respective one of the handles and extends to and is anchored at the footrest located below the handle, and at least a third suspension line which is anchored to the seat at a position distal from the pivot coupling of the seat to the head portion.

2. A swing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head portion is of moulded plastics construction providing a three dimensional representation of an identifiable object.

3. A swing as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the identifiable object is an animal.

4. A swing as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said seat includes anchor means by which the at least third suspension means can be anchored to the seat.

5. A swing as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the seat is of moulded plastics construction.

6. A swing as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims whereifi said one end of the seat includes a- bifurcated portion a thickness of the head portion being located therein, a pivot pin passing through the respective legs of the bifurcated amended sheet fPEA/AU i3CT, i\z y ^ y 0 0 0 5 3 26 7 7 1 yRECE'lV£D 0 ^APR ^ I //. 6 portion and the head portion to pivotally couple the head portion to the seat.

7. A swing as claimed in Claim 6 wherein a bushing is located within the head portion and said pivot pin passes therethrough. amended sheet JPEA/Aii