Abstract: A rotating user-propelled playground equipment assembly or whirl including an equipment support base, a spindle secured to the support base, a rotatable platform assembly supported at least in part by the support base. The rotatable platform assembly includes a hub assembly rotatable about the spindle. A pressure wheel is positioned to constantly rollingly engage the hub assembly. A compression spring urging mechanism is connected to the pressure wheel and urges the pressure wheel into rolling engagement with the hub assembly and thereby automatically retards the rotation of the rotatable platform assembly about the spindle.

Abstract: A rotating user-propelled playground equipment assembly or whirl including an equipment support base, a spindle secured to the support base, a rotatable platform assembly supported at least in part by the support base. The rotatable platform assembly includes a hub assembly rotatable about the spindle. A hydraulic brake is used to automatically retard the rotation of the rotatable platform assembly about the spindle. The hydraulic brake includes a drive gear secured to and rotatable with the hub assembly, a pump mechanism driven by the drive gear for slowing the rotation of the rotatable platform assembly, and a connecting mechanism for operatively connecting the drive gear and the hydraulic pump mechanism.

Abstract: A seat suitable for use with a recreational swing set generally comprising a body of flexible material, an insert embedded in the body of flexible material, the insert having a greater stiffness than the body of flexible material to impart a form and strength to the body of flexible material, at least one strand of flexible material embedded in the body of flexible material, and connectors disposed at end portions of the body of flexible material for connecting such end portions to a pair of depending members of a swing set.

Abstract: A method of making a seat for a recreational swing set. A band of flexible material is flexed along a length thereof into a bowed orientation. At least one strand of flexible material is positioned along the length of this bowed band, and the ends of the strand are secured to the bowed band. The bowed band with the strands secured thereto is then allowed to flex back to its normal unflexed condition, placing the strand in tension and causing it to lie along the length of the band. The band with the strand secured thereto is then embedded in a body of flexible material.

Abstract: A seat suitable for use with a recreational swing set generally comprising a body of flexible material, an insert embedded in the body of flexible material, the insert having a greater stiffness than the body of flexible material to impart a form and strength to the body of flexible material, at least one strand of flexible material embedded in the body of flexible material and fixed to the insert under tension, and device disposed at end portions of the body of flexible material for connecting such end portions to a pair of depending members of a swing set.