WO1994028990A1

WO1994028990A1 - A swing

Info

Publication number: WO1994028990A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1994/000058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Barry Young
Original assignee: Young Products Limited
Priority date: 1993-06-10
Filing date: 1994-06-10
Publication date: 1994-12-22
Also published as: DE69416307T2; AU7009594A; EP0702588B1; EP0702588A4; DE69416307D1; EP0702588A1; AU5784694A

Abstract

A swing of the type having a seat (11) pivotally coupled (28) at one end (13) to a hed portion (10). The head portion (10) has footrests (18) located below the seat (11) and handles (16) located above the seat. The head portion (10) and the seat (11) can be coupled to suspension lines (20, 21). The head portion (10) is a moulded plastics construction providing a three dimensional representation of an identifiable object and in particular an animal.

Description

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

The primary object of the invention is to provide a swing having a construction which incorporates a novel three dimensional representation of an identifiable object such as an animal.

A further 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 footrests located below the seat and handles located above the seat, the head portion and said seat being adapted for coupling to suspension lines, the swing being characterised in that the head portion is of moulded plastics construction providing a three dimensional representation of an animal.

In the preferred form of the invention a handle projects from each side of the head portion and a suspension line passes through each handle and is anchored to a respective footrest. Preferably a pair of suspension lines are anchored to the seat at or near an end of the seat which is remote from said one end.

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 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 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 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 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 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• 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 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. The suspension lines 20 and 21 are preferably ropes which in use are attached to mounts such as hooks (not shown) fixed to a structure 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 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 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 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 robust construction and this is enhanced by the preferred method of coupling the seat to the head portion.

Claims

1. A swing comprising a seat pivotally coupled at one end to a head portion, said head portion having footrests located below the seat and handles located above the seat, the head portion and said seat being adapted for coupling to suspension lines, the swing being characterised in that the head portion is of moulded plastics construction providing a three dimensional representation of an identifiable object.

2. A swing as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the identifiable object is an animal.

3. A swing as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein a handle projects from each side of the head portion and located there below and projecting from each side of the head portion is a footrest.

4. A swing as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each handle includes means through which a suspension line can pass and each footrest includes anchor means by which the suspension lines can be anchored to the footrest.

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

6. A swing as claimed in Claim 5 wherein two anchor means are located at or near an end of the seat which is remote from said one end.

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

8. A swing as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein said one end includes a bifurcated portion a thickness of the head portion being located therein, a pivot pin passing through the respective legs of the bifurcated portion and the head portion to pivotally couple the head portion to the seat.

9. A swing as claimed in Claim 8 wherein a bushing is located within the head portion and said pivot pin passes therethrough.