Child's Swing

Abstract

A swing employs a hollow U-shaped tubular frame having a top horizontal tube. An elongated vertical tube is pivotally secured at its upper end to the midpoint of the horizontal tube. A seat is secured to the vertical tube, and is free to swing back and forth below an in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal tube. A clip extends horizontally over the horizontal tube at right angles thereto and has a spring at each end extending downwardly and inwardly toward the vertical tube.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

My invention is directed toward a child's swing requiring a minimum effort to operate and which holds a child safely and securely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, I employ a vertical frame with an elongated horizontal member. An elongated vertical member is pivotally secured at its upper end to the midpoint of the horizontally disposed member and is free to swing back and forth in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal member.

A horizontally elongated clip extends over the midpoint of the horizontal member in a direction at right angles thereto. A separate coil spring is secured to each end of the clip. The springs extend downward and inward toward the vertical member.

In use, a child is disposed in a seat with means securing the seat to the vertical member. The vertical member is then placed into swinging motion. The excursion in each direction is limited by the springs which are compressed upon contact and then return to normal expanded position to enhance the swing action and reduce effort of the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a detail of a portion of the structure; and

FIG. 4 is a detail of the seat used in the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, parallel vertical inverted U shaped members 10 have their vertically downward extensions bearing against the ground 12 or other horizontal surface. The midpoint of each horizontal portion of member 10 each supports a vertically upwardly extending stub 14.

Vertical hollow tubes 16 open at both ends each have its bottom and receiving stub 14 as an insert. The top end of each tube 16 is tapered downward and inward as shown at 18 to fit into the open bottom end of vertical hollow legs 20 of a large inverted vertical inverted U shaped member disposed at right angles to members 10 and extending therebetween. Legs 20 are joined by an integral horizontally elongated element 22.

A post has a vertical section 24 pivotally disposed at its top end about the midpoint of element 22 whereby section 24 can pivot freely back and forth in a vertical plane disposed at right angles to element 22.

The bottom of section 24 has a short horizontal portion which terminates in a vertically upwardly extending tip 28 lying in the plane.

A transversely extending horizontal clip 32 overlies the midpoint of element 22 and has at each end a downwardly and inwardly extending spring 30 lying in the pivot plane whereby as section 24 swings and pivots it contacts one or the other of the springs and the direction of swing is reversed.

A seat has a bottom horizontal section 46 detachably securable at its bottom surface to tip 28. Top and bottom sections 34 and 36 are hingedly secured to opposite edges of section 32 and can be locked into various positions, varying from horizontal to upward for section 34 and varying from horizontal to downward vertical for section 36. Thumbscrews 38 hold the structure in place. With section 34 serving as a back and section 36 serving as a leg support, protective sides 40 can be secured to the other edges of section 32 and extend upward. These sides can be detached when not needed. The inner surfaces of the seat can be upholstered, and straps 42 can also be used as desired.

The structure so described can be used as a swing to entertain and amuse young children. The action of the springs reduces effort and provides a smoother swing action.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not intended to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Claims

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

1. A child's swing comprising: a hollow frame having a top horizontal member;

an elongated vertical member pivotally secured at its upper end to the midpoint of the horizontal member and free to swing back and forth therebelow in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal member;

a seat;

a means securing said seat to the bottom of the vertical member; and

additional means provided with springs for engaging and for limiting the excursions of the vertical member.

2. The swing of claim 1 wherein said additional means includes a horizontally elongated clip secured on top of the horizontal member at its midpoint and extending at right angles to the horizontal member, said clip having springs oppositely disposed at opposite ends.

3. The swing of claim 2 wherein said springs extend downward and inward toward the vertical member.