US2848231A - Merry-go-round for playgrounds and the like - Google Patents

Description

R. L. PRoPsT 2,848,231

MERRY-Go-ROUND Foa PLAYGRoUNDs AND 'rx-1E LIKE Aug. 19, 1958 Filed Aug. 8, 1956 IN V EN TOR. ROBERT L PRO/J5 r United States Patent MERRY-GO-ROUND FOR PLAYGROUNDS AND VTHE LIKE i Robert L'. Propst, Englewood, Colo., assignor to Beauty Products, Ltd., Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Application August 8, 1956, Serial No. 602,753

7 Claims. (Cl. 272-42) This invention relates to playground equipment, and more `particularly to elevating vmerry-gO-rounds.

For many years merry-go-rounds have been known which-providea `frame mountedon'an upright pole for bothV rotational and upward -and downward movement relative thereto. Ther frame is `customarily suspended from-the top of the pole by a plurality of angularly spaced ropes or the like which twist around the pole and raise the frame as it is rotated. These Vdeviceshave enjoyed little commercial success or public acceptance', however, because -of` certain structural limitations that vrender them quite 1ditlicult for children toy use.

Among these -limitations is the fact that the conventionalmerry-go-round of this type employs only arsingle ring-like-frame which becomes elevated so rapidly as the ropes twistaroundl the pole that the children can no longer impart the required rotational momentum thereto. Or, inother wordsfthe'frame rises up the pole so fast that thelchildrens feet leavev'the ground before they' can get the frame rotating rapidly. Moving the ring closer to theground is of little help in solving -this vproblem as a ring or-frarne mounted low to the vground often causes the children to trip and fall as they run to get it Istarted and may result in serious injury.

Another -problem associated with the prior artl designs is'fthat it is extremely difiicult to get'the ring or-frame rotating afterit hascometo rest.l This results because the'weight of the frame and the downward forceexerted thereonibylthe children-as they attempt to rotate it are in direct ropposition to the `forces` required totwist the ropes 'around the pole andlift theframe.- `Asthe'ropes twistabout` the pole and the lframebecomeselevated, Y

the downward pull on the frame bythe childrenincreases andactsi to unwind rather than-wind the ropes about'thev polen. Obviously, this fact quickly slows down `therotation'fof the frame,l causes itV to stop and begin rotating inrfthe opposite direction -beforethe-intended elevation of 'ith'e i frame I has been' realized.

It has now been found, however, in accordancewith the: present invention, that theforegoing problems 'canbe overcomeV by incorporating certain` improved features that-.permitthechildren to take advantage of centrifugal force to `aid them in realizing the full potentialities of an elevating merry-go-round. In addition, the improved merry-'go-round described and claimed herein embodies a.noveli^bearing between thevframe and pole which eliminates the possibilityof a child being injuredy by placing his'. hand on the bearing while the frame is rotating.

It `is,'-therefore, the principaly object of the present in-` vention to provide an improved elevating merry-go-round whichis considerably easier to start than those heretofore known,- whichVv permits higher rotational speeds to be attained and which permits children of various sizes to enjoy the device.

Still a further object is to provide a merry-go-round of the type described wherein there is provided a lost motion connection between the frame and pole whereby the frame may berotated a complete revolution relative to 2,848,231 Patented Aug. 19, 1958 21 the pole before theropes or connectors begin to wind on the pole and raise the'tframe.

Another object Iof theinvention is to provide an irnproved safety bearing between the frame Iand pole.v

Additional objects *of the invention are to provide an lelevating -merry-go-round which is simple, relatively inexpensive, rugged, safe and'easy to use.

The construction designed to carry `out the inven tion will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof, and willbe more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming apart thereof wherein an example of the invention is shown andY wherein:

Figure lis an elevation showing-thefimproved-elevating merry-go-round of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a'section taken along line 2--2 of'Figure 1 showing the bearing detail to an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a top planview of they merry-go-round;

Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4 4 of Figure l; and f Figure-5 is anv enlarged diametrical section illustrating i a modified `form of hubembodying a lost motion con-v nection.

Referring now in particular to'Figure A1 of the draw-V ing,` the vimproved elevating merry-go-round of the present` invention willbe'seento comprise a frame, indicated in a generalway bynumeral 10," mounted on'an upright` polei 12forboth rotational and'upward and downward movem'ent'relative thereto,and'a'plurality of angularly spaced'` flexible connectors 1141 byfwhich 'A the framefis` suspended from the top of the pole. The pole 12 is pref-' erably setinka concrete base A16-which is in turnset into the ground 1 8 with the pole projecting upwardly therefrom'lsubs'tantially vertically. The pole'rises several feet above-:ground level and is provided with `a cap 20 on the i upperffend-l thereof. Alplu'rality offupturned hooks 22,' one foreachconnector; are welded or-otherwise permaf nently :attached `to thel capf inequia'ngularly .spacedr relai tion; TheY upper end of each connector '-14, -a chain in the particular: embodiment illustrate'd,`is' connected'fto `a hook andhangs vdownwardly therefrom.' Five *flexible* con-g nectors have been *shownyalthoughas few as theelmay' be used. n

In Figures rl; 3 .andf4rthe-'franiey10 willbelseen to compriseialargelring 124; a smallfring 26,abearing '28,? andistruts 30iandj32-uy Thelbearin'g 28 :"is-'journaled'fonr rotation "'on polei112,' asl well as `upward Yand'l 7downward l slidable` :movement relative thereto andwillbe described 7" in fdetail in' connection 'with Figure" 42 of the drawing.Y Largefzringf24 vis mOunte'dIin concentrici relation aboutY the: pole and .isattached toi the bearing for-conjoint'r'rA tationfby` radial.`strutsi30;I-ve' ofwhichare shown@ Tli f struts I.are preferably inclinedfupwardlyin the marinera indicated which-places thelargezringrin a substantially," horizontal 'plane above the bearing. 'Ihe',-smaller .fringe 26.is mounted in spaced concentricfrelation beneath; th'ew large ringiand is. supported-byl stub vstruts v32 extendingi between lthe `small ring-andstruts'-30.-Vv The,- large-ring; 24 is' provided with semi-circular-metal elements 34,17 shown in Figure 3, weldedto the -ringlat thewpointssof attachmentof lstrutsSlO'...flfherlowerrends of the llexiblery connectors 14 are attachedto.elements-.3LI

As indicated by dotted vlines.,inl;`igu1"e.11,4 thetframe w will riseon the'pole when-.rotatedasfthe connectors,.14ff

provision of two vertically spaced rings in the frame. The large ringis located a convenient distance above ground level, when the connectors are fully extended as shown by full lines in Figure l, to be grasped for imparting the initial rotary motion to the frame in the conventional manner. Generally, however, the large ring will be elevated to a height where the childrens feet begin to leave the ground before the desired speed of rotation necessary to raise the ring to the top lOf the pole is attained. At this point the second or small ring has become elevated to a height above the ground Where it can be conveniently grasped and used as a means for producing the additional rotational speed required to accomplish the desired elevation of the frame. Thus, the provision of the second ring below the first enables the frame to be rotated and elevated in two stages, thereby permitting higher rotational speeds to be attained which, by reason of centrifugal force, will cause the frame to rise higher upon the pole. An added feature of the second ring and the reason for its being somewhat smaller is that it permits the younger children to enjoy the device and play on it at the same time it is being used by older children.

Now referring to Figure 2 of the drawing, the novel construction of the bearing 28 will be described. The bearing comprises a tubular section 36 mounted in concentric relation on the pole 12 and sized to provide an annular space 38 therebetween. A wooden ring 40 is positioned between the outer surface of the pole and the inner surface of the tubular section approximately midway between the end-s of said tube as shown. The wooden ring is attached to the tubular section by suitable fasteners 42 and forms a bearing block in contact with the pole. The annular space 38 between the pole and tube is sized to receive the hand of a child without being pinched or caught between the relatively movable parts. The portion of the tube projecting above and below the wooden ring is such that it is extremely diicult for a child to reach his hand in far enough to contact the ring or bearing block where he could be seriously injured. As a further precaution, the upper and lower ends of the tube are closed by heavy rubber sealing members 44 that are bolted to the tube and extend across the annular space. This bearing structure protects the children from painful injury should they attempt to place their hands in the bearing while the frame is revolving on the pole.

Another important feature of the instant device has been illustrated in Figure 5. In this slightly modified construction pole 12a is provided with an upwardly projecting frusto-conical tip 46 terminating ina threaded section 48. Roller bearings 50 and 52 are mounted on the tapered surface of the tip in vertically spaced relation and modiiied cap member 20a is mounted for rotation thereon. Cap 20a has an opening 54 in its upper end sized to receive threaded section 48 and nut 56 holds the cap in place on the tip. The cap 20a is hollow, open at the lower end, and provided with an annular shoulder 62 spaced below the top 60. Roller bearing 52 rests against the shoulder which holds the top of the cap spaced 'above the upper end of the tip. A second shoulder 64 is formed inside the cap to rest upon lower roller bearing 50.

Integrally formed with the cap 20a is an annular ange or apron 66 projecting laterally from the pole 12a. Eye bolts 68 are carried in the periphery of the apron and function in the same manner as hooks 22 of the Figures 1 through 4 modification. The flange or apron also carries a pin 70 adjacent the cap and positioned to engage stop 72 on the upper end of the pole upon relative rotation therebetween. Thus, the cap 20a is free to rotate relative to the pole 12a 1a maximum of one complete revolution before the pin 70 engages the stop 72. Essentially the cap, pin and stop function as a lost motion connection which permits the frame to be rotated a complete revolution relative to the pole before the connectors begin to wind on the pole and raise the frame. Here again, the lost motion connection provides a means by which the frame may be rotated fast enough to carry it to the top of the pole before the childrens feet leave the ground. The most important advantage, however, is the fact that the lost motion connection enables the children to get the frame started and rotating rather fast before the connectors begin to wind about the pole and create forces in direct opposition to their efforts. Once started, it is relatively easy to keep the frame rotating in spite of these opposing forces.

From the foregoing description of the several useful and novel features embodied in the improved elevating merry-go-round of the present invention it will be seen that the many objects for which it was designed have been achieved. Although the invention has been described in connection with the specific forms thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, I realize that certain modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the true nature thereof. Therefore, it is my intention that the scope of protection afforded herein shall be limited only insofar as said limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In an elevating merry-go-round of the type including a stationary upright pole, a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upward and downward movement relative thereto, a member mounted at the top of the pole for relative rotation, and a plurality of angularly spaced flexible connectors suspending the frame from the pole, the improvement which comprises means interconnecting the member and the pole to permit limited relative rotation therebetween in order to facilitate rotation of the frame, said interconnecting means comprising a part mounted for movement with the member and a part mounted on said pole, said parts being arranged to cooperate following the limited relative rotation whereby the connectors will begin to wrap about the pole and elevate the frame.

2. Inan elevating merry-go-round of the type including an upright pole, a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upward and downward movement relative thereto, and a plurality of angularly spaced exible connectors suspending the frame from the pole, the improvement which comprises a cap mounted on the top of the pole for relative rotation, said cap having means depending therefrom for attaching the ilexible connectors and pin means mounted for conjoint rotation with said cap, and stop means depending from the pole positioned to engage the pin means on the cap and stop the relative rotational movement between said cap and pole whereupon the exible connectors will begin to wrap about the pole and elevate the frame after rotation thereof has begun.

3. In an elevating merry-go-round of the type including an upright cylindrical pole, a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upward and downward movement relative thereto, and a plurality of angularly spaced exible connectors suspending the frame from the pole, said connectors being arranged to wrap around the pole and elevate the frame upon rotation thereof, the improvement which comprises bearing means carried by the frame and journaled for rotation on the pole, said means comprising a tubular member arranged in concentric relation on the pole and sized to provide an annular space therebetween and a ring attached inside the tubular member approximately midway between the ends thereof in contacting relation with the surface of the pole to form a bearing block.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the upper and lower ends of the tubular member are enclosed by exible sealing members covering the annular space between the pole and Vtubular member.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the relative dimensions of the pole and tubular member are such that the annular space formed therebetween is sized to receive a childs hand without danger of it being squeezed between said pole and tubular member while being rotated relative to one another.

6. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the length of the tubular section is such that the portions thereof extending above and below the ring will prevent a child from reaching his hand into the annular space a suicient distance to contact said ring.

7. In an elevating merry-go-round, an upright stationary pole, a plurality of angularly spaced exible connectors hanging from the top of the pole, and a frame mounted on the pole for both rotational and upward and downward movement relative thereto, said frame having an upper ring attached to the lower ends of the exible connectors and a lower ring spaced below the upper ring movable conjointly therewith, said rings being mounted in substantially concentric relation about the pole and mounted for rotation with respect to the pole, said upper ring providing means for rotating and elevating the frame by twisting the connectors around the pole and said lower ring providing means for continuing rotation of the frame after the upper ring has become elevated to the point Where it cannot be reached from the ground, said lower ring being of a smaller diameter than the upper ring whereby the frame may be rotated simultaneously by dilerent sized children, a cap member from which said connectors hang mounted at the top of the pole for relative rotation, means interconnecting the member and the pole to permit limited relative rotation therebetween in order to facilitate rotation of the frame, said interconnecting means comprising a part mounted for movement with the member and a part mounted on said pole, said parts being arranged to cooperate following the limited relative rotation whereby the connectors will begin to Wrap about the pole and elevate the frame.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,044,391 Jones Nov. 12, 1912 1,186,185 Guinn June 6, 1916 1,331,206 Morgan Feb. 17, 1920 1,406,412 Price Feb. 14, 1922 1,503,548 Moyer Aug. 5, 1924 1,740,304 Hoppes Dec. 17, 1929 1,755,940 Watts Apr. 22, 1930 1,864,734 Hoppes June 28, 1932 1,985,497 Harris Dec. 25, 1934 2,646,281 Hurst July 21, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 189,940 Great Britain Dec. 14, 1922

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