U.S. patent application number 12/160502 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion.
Invention is credited to Miles Mann, Paul May.
Application Number | 20100197417 12/160502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35911633 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100197417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
May; Paul ; et al. |
August 5, 2010 |
RECREATIONAL APPARATUS PROVIDING UP AND DOWN MOTION AND ROTATIONAL
MOTION
Abstract
A recreational apparatus that provides up and down motion and
rotational motion is encompassed. The apparatus comprising a beam
mounted on a mount, in order to achieve up and down and rotational
motion. The beam comprises a seat at the first and second ends on
substantially opposing sides of the mount and an impact absorption
member located with each seat. The impact absorption member is a
resilient ball, wherein at least part of the ball fits through a
rim in the seat. According to a further embodiment, the
recreational apparatus can be adjusted as the beam is capable of
being located on the mount at different positions along the length
of the beam.
Inventors: |
May; Paul; (South Australia,
AU) ; Mann; Miles; (Ludlow Shropshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON, LLP
695 KENMOOR, S.E., P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
35911633 |
Appl. No.: |
12/160502 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2006/004941 |
371 Date: |
January 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 1/32 20130101; A63G
11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/106 |
International
Class: |
A63G 11/00 20060101
A63G011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 10, 2006 |
GB |
0600412.1 |
Claims
1. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and
rotational motion, comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon,
for said up and down and rotational motion, wherein the beam
comprises first and second seats at substantially opposing sides of
the mount and an impact absorption member associated with each
seat.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the impact
absorption member is a resilient ball.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the
ball fits through a rim in the seat.
4. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and
rotational motion, comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon,
for said up and down and rotational motion, wherein the beam is
capable of being located on the mount at different positions along
the length of the beam.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which the beam comprises first and
second seats at substantially opposing sides of the mount and an
impact absorption member located with each seat.
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the
mount is capable of being attached to the ground.
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6,
wherein the seat further comprises an integral handle.
8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and claims 5-7,
further comprising a handle bar between the seat and the mount.
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6-8,
wherein the beam is capable of being located on the mount at
different positions along the length of the beam.
10. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion
comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon for said up and down
motion, wherein the beam comprises a seat remote from the mount
comprising a rim and a resilient ball associated therewith in which
at least part of the ball projects through a rim in the seat.
11. A recreational apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
apparatus further provides rotational motion.
12. A recreational apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11,
wherein the beam comprises first and second seats at substantially
opposing sides of the mount.
13. A recreational apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3,
5-9 and 12, wherein the first and second seats are at respective
ends of said beam.
14. A recreational apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to
13, wherein the mount comprises at least one leg portion.
15. A recreational apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the leg
portion comprises a substantially vertical portion and a
substantially horizontal portion, the horizontal portion comprising
a generally radially extending inner length and, extending
generally perpendicular thereto, a generally circumferentially
extending outer length.
16. A recreational apparatus substantially as described herein with
reference to the drawings.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a recreational apparatus providing
up and down motion and rotational motion.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Recreational apparatus, such as see saws or teeter totters,
that have both up and down motion and rotational motion are known
in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672, which discloses
a mount and a beam mounted at one end on the mount and having a
seat at the other end. This beam is biased upwardly with a strong
elastic band. However, such apparatus have disadvantages that
hinder their usability.
[0003] A problem with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672 is that these see
saws can only be used by one child at a time and thus require more
effort for the child to play on the see saw. This may represent a
distinct problem to smaller children who could find it difficult to
manoeuvre the see saw at all.
[0004] Another disadvantage is that the see saw will only be able
to handle a relatively limited range in the weight of the children
playing on it. If a child is much lighter or heavier than the range
for which the see saw is set, it will be necessary to remove the
elastic band or `biasing device` and replace it with an
alternative. Furthermore anchoring of the see saw is structurally
challenging because of the cantilever configuration.
[0005] Yet further, seats of known rotating see saws are relatively
complex arrangements with multiple parts. This has the disadvantage
of increased manufacturing costs and difficulties. In addition,
seats of this type may consist of a more rigid material having
attached on its underside some form of impact absorber. This can be
uncomfortable for the child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a rotating and up and down
motion apparatus with at least two seats. This overcomes the
disadvantages of the known rotating see saw because the children
can use each others weight to counterbalance the see saw.
[0007] In addition, the present invention is easy to adjust to
account for children of varying weights due to a quick release
mechanism attaching the beam to the mount. It is therefore possible
for a heavier child to play with a lighter child and subsequently
the see saw can be easily adjusted by an adult or child for two
lighter children to play on the see saw, or vice versa. Yet
further, anchoring the see saw is less critical. This feature also
allows the apparatus to be dismantled for ease of storage.
[0008] In another aspect, the seat is made up of two parts only
where a resilient ball protrudes though a rim. The resilient ball
forms the majority of the seat, with minimal rigid material. This
maximises the bounce that is experienced by the children and
contributes to the comfort. Yet further, the large soft surface
area of the ball minimises the risk of entrapping the users'
ankles.
[0009] Throughout the discussion and figures of the embodiments
like reference numerals refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a recreational apparatus
providing up and down and rotational motion according to one aspect
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section along the centre of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3a is an exploded isometric view of a bearing bush;
[0013] FIG. 3b is a top plan view of the bearing bush of FIG.
3a;
[0014] FIG. 3c is an exploded front elevational view of the bearing
bush of FIG. 3b;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the seat;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the seat taken along the
line B-B; FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of a yoke and pin by
which the beam can be attached to the mount;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the beam;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the mount; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Herein the term see-saw is taken to mean a long beam, plank
or elongated member mounted on a central fulcrum so that when a
person is riding on each end, one end goes up as the other goes
down. A see-saw also has a number of regional terms as follows,
which mean the same, teeter-totter, teeter, teeterboard, tilt,
tilting board, teedle board, dandle board and dandle.
[0022] Herein the mount is taken to mean a vertical support, which
can be balanced on the ground and to which a beam may be attached.
Examples of a mount include, but are not limited to, a pylon, pole,
frame, brace, bracket, prop, post, pillar, timber and rod.
[0023] Herein the beam is taken to mean a horizontal support that
is considerably longer than it is wide. Examples of a beam include,
but are not limited to, a plank, timber, sleeper, trestle, pole,
tube, arm and rod.
[0024] Herein "substantially opposing" means essentially at
opposite ends and does not have to be at exactly opposite ends but
sufficient to provide some measure of counterbalance.
[0025] Herein an impact absorption member means any means by which
the energy from the impact of the end of the beam contacting the
ground is at least partially absorbed. Examples of an impact
absorption member include, but are not limited to, a cushion, ball,
balloon, spheroid, bumper, pad and spring.
[0026] Herein a ball means any spherical, circular, bulbous,
cylindrical, egg-shaped, round or oval member.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1 a beam (1) attached to a mount (2) is
shown for a recreational apparatus that provides up and down and
rotational motion. The beam (1) has a seat (10a and 10b) at each of
the first and second end, which can be made up of a resilient ball
(5), which fits through a rim (4). The ball (5) is located below
the seat (10a and 10b) and acts as an impact absorber when the seat
(10a and 10b) reaches the ground, designed to repeatedly and
resiliently contact the surface. FIG. 4 is an example of the rim
(4) and includes a hole (14) in the centre through which the ball
(5) can fit. The hole (14) can be wider at the uppermost part so
that when part of the ball is compressed to fit through the hole
(14) it then re-expands to fit on top of the rim, providing the
seat (10a and 10b) and wedging the ball (5) in the rim (4). The
seat (10a and 10b) also includes an integral handle (7).
[0028] FIG. 5 shows the resilient ball (5) prior to being fitted
through the hole (14) in the centre of the rim (4). There is a
bulbous portion (16) at the base, a neck (18) and expanded top
portion (17) providing the seat portion. The expanded top portion
(17) can be made of thickened material to flatten the inflated top
portion (17) and make it more suitable for a seat (10a and 10b).
Preferably the rim (4) comprises an integrally moulded spigot which
is inserted into the beam (1).
[0029] The apparatus includes a handle bar (6) for support for each
user. The handle bars (6) are similar to those which are known for
conventional bicycles. The base of the handle bars (6) is attached
to the beam (1). The handle bars can include moulded handgrips
(13). This is shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] The beam (1) of FIG. 1 is shown is more detail in FIG. 7.
The beam (1) has a plurality pairs of opposed mounting holes (12)
along its length. The beam (1) can be attached to the mount (2) at
any of the mounting holes (12).
[0031] FIG. 6 shows this arrangement in more detail. The mount
comprises a yoke (11) on which the beam is pivotally mounted. A pin
(15), or any other appropriate means, extends through the yoke (11)
and a pair of opposing mounting holes (12) in the beam (1), thus
attaching the beam (1) pivotally to the mount (2) for up and down
motion.
[0032] The yoke (11) is provided on a tubular mounting column (19)
which extends vertically through a pair of bearing bushes (3).
FIGS. 3a-3c show the bearing bush (3) in more detail. Each bearing
bush (3) has a central tube (26) with a central aperture (20) and
three equiangular surrounding smaller tubes (27) with tubular
apertures (21), through which the respective leg portions (8),
which form a base for the mount (2), fits. The respective leg
portions (8) are attached to each bearing bush (3) in an
appropriate manner. FIG. 8 shows the tubular mounting column (19)
in more detail including the yoke (11) and opposing mounting holes
(12).
[0033] The bearing bush (3) allows rotational movement of the yoke
(11) and tubular mounting column (19) and hence the beam (1). A
bearing disc (24) in the form of a cylindrical collar is moulded,
bolted or otherwise affixed to the tubular mounting column (19) and
this provides the main bearing surface. The bearing disc (24) is
preferably moulded from nylon 6.6. In addition, there is a bearing
cap (25) that is a push fit over the bearing bush (3) and the leg
portions (8). The bearing cap (25) caps the leg portions (8) and
shields the tube (26) and provides a smooth area for a lower
annular bearing surface of the bearing disc (24) to rotate on. The
bearing cap (25) is preferably made from the plastic HPDE, which is
self lubricating against the nylon 6.6 of the bearing disc
(24).
[0034] The lower part of the respective leg portions (8) are bent
substantially perpendicularly to the upper part of the respective
leg portions (8). Hence each leg (8) comprises, in addition to a
substantially vertical portion (28), a horizontal portion (29)
including a generally radially extending inner length and,
extending generally perpendicular thereto, a generally
circumferentially extending outer length (30). The leg portions (8)
can be secured to the ground with stakes (9). The leg portions (8)
each have a moulded foot (22), which caps the end of the leg
portions (8) and also increases the area of the apparatus that
meets the ground. The moulded feet (22) further comprises self
adhesive pads (23) on the underside to increase stability
particularly on smooth floors. Preferably the self adhesive pads
are made from foam. In addition this facilitates indoor use without
the risk of marking the floors.
[0035] According to the invention the recreational apparatus of
FIG. 1 is operable for rotational and up and down motion by the
weight of a person at each end acting as a counter-balance.
[0036] Users can cause rotational motion themselves by pushing with
part of their body. Likewise, an additional person may use the
integral handle (7) in order to apply pressure to cause rotational
motion and/or additional assistance with up and down motion. As the
seat (10a and 10b) contacts the ground the resilient ball (5)
absorbs the impact compressing, and when the seat (10a and 10b)
moves off the ground the ball (5) re-expands.
[0037] If the participants are of unequal weights then the position
at which the beam (1) is attached to the mount (2) can be adjusted
to account for the unequal weight. The pin (15) used to attach the
mount (2) to the beam (1) is easily removed and can be used to
attach the mount (2) to the beam (1) at a different position in
either direction, where there is a mounting hole (12) in the beam
(1), down the length of the beam (1).
[0038] The beam (1), leg portion (8), yoke (11) and tubular
mounting column (19), which form part of the mount (2) are
preferably made from metal such as aluminium or steel.
[0039] The bearing bushes (3) can be made of injection moulded
material and/or hard plastic.
[0040] The rim (4) of the seats (10a and 10b) can be made of hard
plastic and the ball (5) can be made of injection moulded material
that is inflatable. The uppermost part of the seat may optionally
bear a logo or motif.
[0041] However it will be appreciated that any of the components
can be made from any suitable material.
[0042] The present invention is easy to adjust to account for
children of varying weights. It is therefore possible for a heavier
child to play with a lighter child and subsequently the see saw can
be easily adjusted for two lighter children to play on the see saw,
or any weight combination of child.
[0043] The present invention provides a seat (10a and 10b) that has
a number of advantages. There is ease of manufacturing as the seat
(10a and 10b) is made up of two parts only. This ball (5) provides
the surface which hits the ground and the actual seating surface.
This maximises the bounce that is experienced by the children and
contributes to the entertainment. In addition, the seat (10a and
10b) may be made of injection moulded material, allowing the seats
(10a and 10b) to with stand outdoor conditions for considerable
lengths of time. When the rim (4) comprises an integrally moulded
spigot inserted into the beam (1), a particularly strong connection
is created between the seat (10a and 10b) and the beam (1).
[0044] The arrangement of the leg portions (8) such that the lower
part is perpendicular to the upper part (28) and includes generally
perpendicular inner (29) and outer parts (30) results in a very
stable apparatus and enables the apparatus to be used without
stakes and therefore indoors. In addition, the moulded feet (22) at
the distal end of the outer part increase the stability of the
apparatus and the moulding allows the feet (22) to flex slightly to
assist stability on uneven ground. The self adhesive pads (23) on
the underside of the feet (22) stop the apparatus slipping on
floors particularly smooth floor finishes such as polished wooden
floors.
[0045] The integral handle (7) on the seat (10a and 10b)
facilitates another child or adult assisting the movement of the
apparatus.
[0046] It is envisaged that the apparatus could consist of more
than two seats (10a and 10b), such that any number of seats (10a
and 10b) could be arranged to counter-balance each other. It is
also possible for there to be more than one beam (1) arranged on
the mount (2).
[0047] The mount (2) may be attached to the beam (1) by any
suitable means. Examples of a mount include, but are not limited
to, a clasp, catch, grip, clench, vice, screw, axle, hinge, swivel
or shaft.
[0048] The mount may comprise any form of strengthening in place of
the bearing bushes (3) and equally may comprise no
strengthening.
[0049] The invention is to be understood as including any
combination of components as described herein. For example, two
seats (10a and 10b) consisting of a rim (4) and resilient ball (5),
a beam (1) attached to a mount (2) by a catch. A further example is
an apparatus consisting of four seats (10a and 10b) and one beam
(1) attached to a mount (2) by a catch further comprising handle
bars (6).
* * * * *