US3159899A

US3159899A - Molds for swing leg anchors

Info

Publication number: US3159899A
Application number: US240672A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pafenberg John Dale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-11-28
Filing date: 1962-11-28
Publication date: 1964-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-08

Description

Dec. 8, 1964 J. D. PAFENBERG 3,159,899

MOLDS FOR swzmc LEG ANCHORS Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR JO/V/V 0/745 PflFE/YBERG,

jWK/VEYS Dec. 8, 1964 J. D. PAFENBERG 3,159,399

JOHN MI 1 4mm 3!! I BY 93 #011104 & Quake/Mega MIA/Q55 1964 J. D. PAFENBERG 3,159,899

WTQLDS- FOR SWING LEG ANCHORS Filed Nov. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-S-Beet 3' United States Patent .0

3,3152%?9 MQLDS FGR SWlF-iG ANCHGRS John Bale Pafenherg, 5714 .Eirch Ava, McLean, Va. Filed Nov. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 2419,672 l Qlairn. {QL 25-438} This invention relates to molds for swing leg anchor members. i

Childrens yard swing sets are enjoying commercial popularity, and provide an inexpensive recreational outlet for the energies of children that is useful in promoting their physical well-being. A typical swing set is purchased in knocked-down form and assembled athome for use in the yard. The framework is generally of hollow pipe construction, and is made up a main horizontal member supported at its ends by pairs of diverging leg members. When swings are attached to the main horizontal member, the stability of the device is dependent upon the degree of divergence of the supporting legs. If the legs of each pair are widely spaced at their bottoms, then the entire structure is more stable and less likely to rock or move about when the swings are used. The small pipe members generally used in such constructions, together with the weight of the children and their vigorous activities, cause the ends of the legs to become embedded in the ground and tear up the lawn surface. Also, the entire structure tends to change its position because of the rocking motion produced in swinging.

In permanent installations, such as school yards and the like, the problems mentioned above are solved by embedding the ends of the leg members securely in the ground so that the structure cannot move. This usually involves the digging of large holes in which the legs are placed, often attached to buried weights, an, when the job is finished the swings may not be moved about or taken down. In accordance with the present invention the desirable attributes of the knocked-down and permanent type swing sets are combined in a structure that has the disadvantages of neither.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a mold form which permits the easy application of anchor weights to swing leg members.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of an inexpensive mold form for attaching anchor weights by the ultimate user of a swing set, thereby avoiding the inconvenience and expense of storing and transporting anchor weights prior to use.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a mold for attaching anchor weights to swing leg members which is incorporated permanently in the anchor weight and provides a decorative outer covering.

leg. Top and bottom elements are centered on the swing leg member and secure the conical section between them to form a container for the material used as a weight. Preferably, the container serves as a mold for the pouring of concrete, which may becolored suitably, to form a permanently attached weight on each swing leg. The conical wall member is provided with an integral tear strip member to allow the removal of the form-after the concrete has hardened.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swing set utilizing leg anchor members constructed in accordance with the invention;

Still another feature is the provision of a form for anchor weights for swing leg members which is attached to the leg member and requires only the insertion of pre: formed weights to complete the structure.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a removable mold fornr'for swing leg anchor weights which is easily detached and re-used.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a mold form which is disposable and easily discarded after use.

The principles of the invention may be utilized in vari- FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective and top views, respectively, of a swinleg member showing the means for providing reinforcement for the concrete anchor;

ment of a mold form constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a mold form constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of a mold form utilizing the features of the present invention; and I FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a still further embodiment of the invention.

The invention will be understood more readily by making reference to the drawings in which FIG. 1 shows a typical yard swing set to which the principles of the invention have been applied. The swing set comprises a main horizontal member 1 supported at its ends by pairs of diverging leg members 3, 5 7 and 9.

Swings

11 and 13 are suitably suspended from the horizontal member 1. On the bottom portions of legs 3, 5, '7 and 9 are disposed anchor members 15, 17, 19 and 21, respectively.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show in detail how the anchor members 15, 17, 19 and 2.1 are secured to the swing legs 3, S, 7 and 9. The swing leg members are provided with holes through which are mounted conventional nails or spikes 23 and 25. The nails 23 and 25 extend entirely through the swing leg member 3 and wires 27' and 29 are 7 passed around swing leg member 3 and attached to each end of the nails 23 and 25. This arrangement provides a means for reinforcing the concrete anchor weight as it is molded about the swing leg member. The arrangement also insures that the anchor member is firmly attached to the swing leg member. While other means of reinforcing are within the scope of the invention, the present arrangement is illustrated as the preferred embodiment because of its simplicity and the availability of materials.

The anchor weights of the present invention maybe applied by one of several mold form constructions. FIG. 3 shows a body member 31 shaped asthe frustum of a cone and surrounding a swing leg member 3%. Although body member 31 could be of cylindrical form, the conical shape is particularly desirable because of the large boti tom area for a given volume. A cap member 33 forms a snug sliding lit with swing leg member 3t? and is placed over the top of conical member 31. A base member 35 is provided witha cut-out portion 37 to receive swing leg memberdtl. Basemember 35 has a plurality of tabs 38 to 43 formed of cut-out portions which are spaced to.

receive the bottom edge of conical member 31. When an anchormember is to be molded, conical member 31 is fitted in position and held by tabs 38 to 41 at the bottom portion of swing leg member 3%. Concrete is poured in the upper end of conical member 31 until the member is completely filled and there is slight excess left at the top to fill the cap member when it is applied. Cap member 33 is pushed down into position, and any excess con crete is squeezed out. When theconcrete is hardened, the anchor member is securely attached to the swing leg member 30. Prior to the pouring of concrete, it is assumed that the swing leg member 3%? has been prepared in a fashion similar to that shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b to provide rte-enforcement for the: concrete and insure that the anchor member is securely attached to the swing leg member. 7

Conical member 31 shown in FIG. 3, together with cap member 33, are made of suitable plastic materials, and may be provided with any desired decorative effect. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the members 31 and 33 are designed to become a permanent part of swing leg member 30 and are not removed after the concrete has hardcried. Base member 35 is easily removedand discarded.

able and re-usable. In this arrangement the swing leg member4-5 is surrounded by conical body member 47 and cap member 49, which are split along their axes and as-- tencd togetherby means of fasteners 51, 53 and 55. The

members 47 and 49 are preferably constructed of sheet metal, and cooperate with a base member 57 which may be of any desired material. When the concrete has been poured and has hardened, the body member 47 and the cap member 49 may be removed by simply loosening the fastener members and lifting the sheet metal forms from around the hardened concrete. In an arrangement such as this, since the concrete is exposed in the final structure, it is often desirable to use a coloring mixture in the concrete to present a decorative eifect in the final product. \Vith the arrangement of FIG. 4 it is only necessary to use one form, since the form is re-usable and may be applied to each of the swing legs in turn.

FIG. 5 illustrates a disposable. mold form constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. A swing leg member is shown with a conical member 61 mounted thereon. Cap member 63 and base member 73 are provided and perform functions similar to their corresponding parts described in the previous. embodiments. In this arrangement, however, the device is constructed of waterproof paper or fibrous material. and the conical body 61 is provided with a tear strip 65 having a pull tab 67 attached thereto. The cap member 63 is provided with a tear strip 69 having a pull tab 71 attached. The base member '73 is provided with attaching tabs 74 to 79 which are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the easy application to conical body member 61, thereby holding base member 73 in secure relationship with the conical member 61. After the. concrete has been poured and has hardened, themembers 61 and 63 may be removed easily by ripping out tear strips 65 and 69.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tabs '74 and 79; are also easily removed from the conical. member 6 1 toremove the base member 73.

.In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the mold form shown is. designedto be vattached permanently to the swing leg member.

The mold form is constructed of sheet metal 1 material and comprises a conical'body. member 83, cap; member 85 and base member 91 disposed aboutswing 1. leg member 81. The cap member 85 has an upper flange desired.

swing leg member 31 similar to the locking provision of cap member 85. While the structure of FIG. 6 would be suitable for permanent attachment using poured concrete similar to the embodiments previously described, this arrangement is designed primarily for use with preformed weight materials which may be assembled around swing leg member 31 prior to applying conical body member 83. This arrangement also lends itself to the use of dry sand, gravel, or packed earth as a weight material. Although the structure is designed for permanent attachment to swing leg member 81, it is obvious that, since concrete is not cast into the structure, the insertable pins (hi? and 8) may be removed at any time and the structure disassembled.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodimentof the invention in which a unitary plastic sheath-101 of conical shape en-' casesthe lower portion of leg member 1G3. A hole 105 in the top of the sheath 3191 allows the leg 103 who inserted. The hole 195 is keyhole shaped, and portion 107 permits concrete to be poured intothe interior of sheath 101. After the concrete has hardened, the mold may be removed or left as an integral part of the structure, as If the sheath is to become an integral part of I the structure, appropriate decorative and coloring effects ciently anchoring yard swing sets. The swing legs are held securely in place when the swing is in use, yet the into thev structure by having one or more legs sink into the ground is no longer present. The use of protruding metal clamps, bolts, sticks and, chains often utilized as mechanical anchoring devices is eliminated and thereby reducing the accident hazards.

by even the most unskilled of handymen. "Use of the present invention efficiently anchors the yard swing sets when soil conditions are unfavorable for the use of mechanical anchoring devices or buried weights, e.g. stakes easily pull out of soil having a high sand or gravel content, and rocky or other impervious soils hamper the burying of weights. 7

While the invention has'been shown and described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form'and details may be. made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

.What is claimed is: j

A mold form 'for attaching anchoring weights to the leg members of childrens yard swing sets comprising a unitary llOllOWbO'dY member of frusto-conical shape for surrounding a'swing leg, a frusto-conical cap member.

with upper and lower flange portions, the upper end of said body member fitting securely within the lower flange portion of said cap memberand the upper flange portion portion 87 provided with a hole 89. The hole 89 per- 97 provided for locking thebase member 91 in place on 7 5 of said cap member being shaped for surrounding the swing leg and being provided with a hole for securing said cap member to the swing leg by the insertion of a pin "through the hole in the cap member and a correspondnig hole in the swing leg, and a base member having a pair of upturned'inner and outer concentric flanges, said outer fiange being shaped to receive the'lowcr end of said body member'and said inner'flange having a hole therein and being shaped for surrounding the swing legto permit the insertion of a pin through the hole in said inner flange and a corresponding hole in the swing leg, whereby said structure forms a container for a suitable weight material used The ease and economy of application allows the present invention to be used as an anchoring weight for the swing leg and providing'an enlarged base portion to permit the swing leg to rest upon the surface of a lawn without digging in and marring the surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Logan 189,29 Haase 25-121 Haase 25121 McCoy 1 25--124 Leonard 25121 Ham -2 25123 Hay 25118 Mason et a1. 50186 1 1/ 43 Klingberg 25154 1/53 Morser 25118 1 1/ 5 3 Henry. 1

5/54 Copenhaver et a1 25-1 18 11/54 Christiansen 25-1 18 12/58 Ford et a1 25--118 1/ 62 Jacomaro 25--118 10/62 Rossi 25-118 FOREIGN PATENTS 2/ 5 2 Holland.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT F. WHITE, WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON,

Examiners.