Recreational swings and toddler attachments for swinging and spinning
There is provided swings for swinging and spinning and for simultaneous use by one or more individuals. The swings provide one or more seating members for one or more individuals to sit and provide a common point from which the supports of the swing are suspended for rotational spinning of the swing. The multiple seating members may be fastened together with a connector or fastened directly together to define a cross, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal pattern. Some swings provide a center opening through which one or more seated individuals may place their legs during use of the swing. In addition, toddler attachments are provided for placement in the center openings of the various swings. The toddler attachments comprise a frame member having attachments to connect the toddler attachments to the supports of the swing it is placed upon. A fabric member substantially engages the edges of the frame member and the fabric member defines a recess with leg holes into which a toddler may be seated.
The present application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/523,463, filed Nov. 19, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to recreational swings, and more particularly, to swings and toddler attachments for swinging and rotational spinning, where the swings may be simultaneously used by multiple people.
2. Description of Related Art
Recreational swings are often found on playgrounds, parks, and residential areas and are commonly used by children and adults for fun and relaxation. Typically, swings are designed for motion along one plane, where the motion is forward and backward rotation about the bar to which the swing is attached with a rope or chain. Additionally, swings are typically designed to seat one person.
A “tire swing” is a swing that generally includes a tire that defines a circular seating surface having a circular hole in the center and that is suspended by multiple ropes, chains, or cables that are tied to the tire and attached to a mount or pivot positioned above the tire. The tire swing not only provides forward and backward rotation about the mount or pivot but also provides rotational spinning about a central axis of the tire swing. However, such tire swings are often too small to accommodate two or more individuals at the same time. In addition, such tire swings often degrade so that they become unsafe to swing on and often collect water that may splash on the people swinging on the tire swing. Therefore, such tire swings may be unsafe and inconvenient to use because such tires were not intended for use as swings.
Conventional swings are limited in their ability to produce a more long-lasting, yet safe, form of amusement because of their one plane motion for one person. To illustrate this, children will often resort to winding, jumping off, or standing on the swings. These and further actions are often induced by boredom and may lead to injuries to the children. Additionally, social interaction between individuals is limited during use of conventional swings because each swing is occupied by a single individual such that two or more individuals must take turns swinging or must swing on independent swings.
Accordingly, a need exists for a swing that provides more than one plane of motion, which would increase the individual's level of enjoyment by allowing for motion in more than one direction. In addition, a need exists for a swing that conveniently seats two or more people to increase the social interaction between the individuals.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing multiple swings for simultaneous use by multiple individuals. The swings of the present invention are suspended by supports from a common point, which provide motion in a swinging direction and/or a rotational spinning direction. The supports are preferably a rope material, and the supports are advantageously tied into knots below a bottom surface of the swing to support the swing.
Swings of the present invention comprise a swing defining curved surfaces for use by a single individual or a swing with two seats having two curved surfaces joined by a connector for use by two individuals. A swing for four or more individuals comprises two seating members that each comprises two seats, wherein the seating members are joined at a center point. An alternative swing defines a seesaw swing, wherein the supports are positioned on a pulley to provide a rocking motion in addition to the swinging and spinning motions.
Swings having three, four, five, or six seating members are also provided by the present invention. The seating members are fastened at lap joints and define through holes in the lap joints for the supports to pass through and be retained in a knot to support the seating members of the swing. A center opening is defined in each swing through which the individuals seated on the swing can place their legs.
In addition, a toddler attachment may be positioned in the center opening. The toddler attachment comprises a frame member preferably defining the same number of edges as the number of seating members of the swing to which it is attached. Attachments are included on the frame member of the toddler attachments for attaching the toddler attachment to the supports of the swing. The frame member is preferably sized to rest upon the seating members of the swing, though alternative embodiments of the toddler attachments may be supported entirely by the supports of the swing. The toddler attachments also comprise a fabric member that substantially engages the edges of the frame member and that defines a recess having two leg holes into which a toddler or child may be seated.
Accordingly, the swings and toddler attachments of the present invention provide more than one plane of motion, such as swinging and spinning, which increases the individual's level of enjoyment. In addition, the swings and toddler attachments conveniently seat two or more people to increase the social interaction between the individuals
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGSHaving thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
With reference to
The swing configurations of
Referring to the swing of
As shown in
Each support 24 is restrained on the bottom surface 22 of the seat 12 by a knot in the support, similar to the knots of
Referring to the swing 30 of
The fasteners of
Returning to the swing 30 of
The length of the supports, such as supports 24 of
The swing 70 of
The swing 70 comprises at least one fastener 96 joining the first seating member 72 to the second seating member 84 such that the center point of the first seating member is substantially above the center point of the second seating member. The swing 70 of
The swing 70 is supported by four supports 98 suspended from a common point 100, wherein each support passes through a hole 78 of the first seating member 72 or a hole 90 of the second seating member 84 and is restrained on the bottom surface of each respective seating member. A distance between the two through holes 78 of the first seating member 72 is equal to a distance between the two through holes 90 of the second seating member 84 in the illustrated embodiment, though further embodiments may have distances of unequal lengths. The distance between the through holes 78 and between the through holes 90 of
The seating members 72 and 84 of the illustrated embodiment are fastened together orthogonally to define a cross or “X” pattern, but further embodiments of the swing 70 may comprise seating members that are connected at angles greater than or less than 90 degrees. Furthermore, the swing 70 may comprise more than two seating members joined at various angles.
The swing 110 of
The supports 114 of the swing 110 are restrained on the bottom surface 126 of the seating member 112 by knots in the support, similar to the knots described above. The supports 112 of the swing 110 of
The swing 130 of
The swing 130 is suspended by three supports 140, which in the illustrated embodiment are three ½ inch by 6 foot braided nylon ropes braided at the top and attached to a snap link that defines a common point 142. Alternative supports 140 and common points 142 may be used as described above. The supports 140 each pass through two vertically aligned through holes 144 of the seating members defining a lap joint 146. The seating members comprise two through holes 144, one at each end of the opposite ends of each seating member, that are positioned such that the through holes vertically align when the overlapping seating members define the lap joint 146. The lap joint 146 is defined by a lower lap 148 of one seating member positioned below an upper lap 150 of an adjacent seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface 152 that is generally planar and a bottom surface 154 that is generally planar. The top surface 152 defines a surface upon which one or more individuals may sit during use of the swing. Each seating member preferably comprises one lower lap 148 and one upper lap 150 to define three lap joints 146 of the swing 130. Further embodiments of the swing 130 may comprise alternative joints between the seating members that may or may not comprise through holes 144. The resulting seating area of each seating member of
The through holes 144 are preferably 2 inches from the outside edge of the seating members in the preferred embodiment; however, through holes of further embodiments may be located at alternative locations. The supports 140 are restrained on the bottom surface 154 of the swing 130 with a simple knot that allows for height adjustment, as described above. Alternative supports that are also described above may be used for the swing 130. Furthermore, alternative retention of the supports may be incorporated, as described above. The three-seat swing 130 of
Similar to the swing 130 of
The swing 160 is suspended by four supports 170, which in the illustrated embodiment are four ½ inch by 6 foot braided nylon ropes braided at the top and attached to a snap link that defines a common point 172. Alternative supports 170 and common points 172 may be used as described above. The supports 170 each pass through two vertically aligned through holes 174 of the seating members defining a lap joint 176. The seating members comprise two through holes 174, one at each end of the opposite ends of each seating member, that are positioned such that the through holes vertically align when the overlapping seating members define the lap joint 176. The lap joint 176 is defined by a lower lap 178 of one seating member positioned below an upper lap 180 of an adjacent seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface 182 that is generally planar and a bottom surface 184 that is generally planar. The top surface 182 defines a surface upon which one or more individuals may sit during use of the swing. Each seating member preferably comprises one lower lap 178 and one upper lap 180 to define four lap joints 176 of the swing 160. Further embodiments of the swing 160 may comprise alternative joints between the seating members that may or may not comprise through holes 174. The resulting seating area of each seating member of
The through holes 174 are preferably 1½ inches from the outside edge of the seating members in the preferred embodiment; however, through holes of further embodiments may be located at alternative locations. The supports 170 are restrained on the bottom surface 184 of the swing 160 with a simple knot that allows for height adjustment, as described above. Alternative supports that are also described above may be used for the swing 160. Furthermore, alternative retention of the supports may be incorporated, as described above. The four-seat swing 160 of
Similar to the swings of
The swing 190 is suspended by five supports 200, which in the illustrated embodiment are five ½ inch by 6 foot braided nylon ropes braided at the top and attached to a snap link that defines a common point 202. Alternative supports 200 and common points 202 may be used as described above. The supports 200 each pass through two vertically aligned through holes 204 of the seating members defining a lap joint 206. The seating members comprise two through holes 204, one at each end of the opposite ends of each seating member, that are positioned such that the through holes vertically align when the overlapping seating members define the lap joint 206. The lap joint 206 is defined by a lower lap 208 of one seating member positioned below an upper lap 210 of an adjacent seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface 212 that is generally planar and a bottom surface 214 that is generally planar. The top surface 212 defines a surface upon which one or more individuals may sit during use of the swing. Each seating member preferably comprises one lower lap 208 and one upper lap 210 to define five lap joints 206 of the swing 190. Further embodiments of the swing 190 may comprise alternative joints between the seating members that may or may not comprise through holes 204. The resulting seating area of each seating member of
The through holes 204 are preferably 2½ inches from the outside edge of the seating members in the preferred embodiment; however, through holes of further embodiments may be located at alternative locations. The supports 200 are restrained on the bottom surface 214 of the swing 190 with a simple knot that allows for height adjustment, as described above. Alternative supports that are also described above may be used for the swing 190. Furthermore, alternative retention of the supports may be incorporated, as described above. The five-seat swing 190 of
Similar to the swings of
The swing 220 is suspended by six supports 230, which in the illustrated embodiment are six ½ inch by 6 foot braided nylon ropes braided at the top and attached to a snap link that defines a common point 232. Alternative supports 230 and common points 232 may be used as described above. The supports 230 each pass through two vertically aligned through holes 234 of the seating members defining a lap joint 236. The seating members comprise two through holes 234, one at each end of the opposite ends of each seating member, that are positioned such that the through holes vertically align when the overlapping seating members define the lap joint 236. The lap joint 236 is defined by a lower lap 238 of one seating member positioned below an upper lap 240 of an adjacent seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface 242 that is generally planar and a bottom surface 244 that is generally planar. The top surface 242 defines a surface upon which one or more individuals may sit during use of the swing. Each seating member preferably comprises one lower lap 238 and one upper lap 240 to define six lap joints 236 of the swing 220. Further embodiments of the swing 220 may comprise alternative joints between the seating members that may or may not comprise through holes 234. The resulting seating area of each seating member of
The through holes 234 are preferably 1¾ inches from the outside edge of the seating members in the preferred embodiment; however, through holes of further embodiments may be located at alternative locations. The supports 230 are restrained on the bottom surface 244 of the swing 220 with a simple knot that allows for height adjustment, as described above. Alternative supports that are also described above may be used for the swing 220. Furthermore, alternative retention of the supports may be incorporated, as described above. The six-seat swing 220 of
The swing 250 of
Toddler attachments may also be provided with the swings of the present invention. In particular, the toddler attachment 280 of
An alternative toddler attachment 300 of
The toddler attachment 320 of
The fabric member of all three toddler attachments preferably comprises mesh double stitched nylon or canvas, though further embodiments of the present invention may comprise any fabric sufficiently strong to support a child during use of the swings and toddler attachments of the present invention. The toddler attachments and the swings of the present invention provide a recreational activity that provides swinging and spinning motions. In addition, multiple individuals may simultaneously use the swings, with or without the toddler attachments, which increases their social interaction and level of enjoyment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Claims
1. A swing comprising:
- a seat defining a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a concave front surface; and
- at least two supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seat.
2. A swing according to claim 1 wherein the seat further defines a convex rear surface, wherein the concave front surface and the convex rear surface each define a radius and wherein the radius of the concave front surface is no greater than the radius of the convex rear surface.
3. A swing according to claim 1 wherein the seat defines two through holes, and wherein each support passes through a through hole.
4. A swing according to claim 3 wherein each support is restrained on the bottom surface of the seat by a knot in the support.
5. A swing according to claim 1 wherein each support comprises a rope.
6. A swing comprising:
- a first seat defining a first top surface and a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface;
- a second seat defining a second top surface and a second bottom surface opposite the second top surface;
- a connector fastened to the first seat and to the second seat; and
- at least four supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on either the first or second seat.
7. A swing according to claim 6 wherein the first seat defines a first concave front surface and a first convex rear surface opposite the first concave front surface and the second seat defines a second concave front surface and a second convex rear surface opposite the second concave front surface, and wherein the first seat and second seat are fastened to the connector such that the first concave front surface faces the second concave front surface.
8. A swing according to claim 6 wherein the first seat and the second seat each define two through holes, and wherein each support passes through a through hole.
9. A swing according to claim 8 wherein each support is restrained on the bottom surface of the seat by a knot in the support.
10. A swing according to claim 6 wherein each support comprises a rope.
11. A swing comprising:
- a first seating member defining two seats at opposite ends of the first seating member and a centerpoint midway between the opposed seats, wherein the first seating member defines a first top surface and a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface;
- a second seating member defining two seats at opposite ends of the second seating member and a centerpoint midway between the opposed seats, wherein the second seating member defines a second top surface and a second bottom surface opposite the second top surface;
- at least one fastener joining the first seating member to the second seating member such that the center point of the first seating member is substantially above the center point of the second seating member; and
- at least four supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on either the first or second seating member.
12. A swing according to claim 11 wherein the seating members each define two through holes, and wherein the each support passes through a through hole.
13. A swing according to claim 12 wherein each support is restrained on the bottom surface of the seating member by a knot in the support.
14. A swing according to claim 11 wherein each support comprises a rope.
15. A swing according to claim 11 wherein the common point from which the four supports suspend comprises a snap link.
16. A swing comprising:
- three seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein the seating members are fastened in a triangular shape; and
- at least three supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
17. A swing according to claim 16 wherein each seating member defines a lower lap at one end of the seating member and an upper lap at an opposite end of the seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
18. A swing according to claim 16 wherein the common point from which the three supports suspend comprises a snap link.
19. A swing according to claim 16 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
20. A swing according to claim 16 wherein each support comprises a rope.
21. A swing comprising:
- four seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein the seating members are fastened in a rectangular shape; and
- at least four supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
22. A swing according to claim 21 wherein each seating member defines a lower lap at one end of the seating member and an upper lap at an opposite end of the seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
23. A swing according to claim 21 wherein the common point from which the four supports suspend comprises a snap link.
24. A swing according to claim 21 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
25. A swing according to claim 21 wherein each support comprises a rope.
26. A swing comprising:
- five seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein the seating members are fastened in a pentagonal shape; and
- at least five supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
27. A swing according to claim 26 wherein each seating member defines a lower lap at one end of the seating member and an upper lap at an opposite end of the seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
28. A swing according to claim 26 wherein the common point from which the five supports suspend comprises a snap link.
29. A swing according to claim 26 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
30. A swing according to claim 26 wherein each support comprises a rope.
31. A swing comprising:
- six seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein the seating members are fastened in a hexagonal shape; and
- at least six supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
32. A swing according to claim 31 wherein each seating member defines a lower lap at one end of the seating member and an upper lap at an opposite end of the seating member such that the fastened seating members define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
33. A swing according to claim 31 wherein the common point from which the six supports suspend comprises a snap link.
34. A swing according to claim 31 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
35. A swing according to claim 31 wherein each support comprises a rope.
36. A swing comprising:
- two seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein the seating members are fastened to two connectors that intersect midway between the seating members; and
- at least four supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
37. A swing according to claim 36 wherein each seating member comprises two upper laps at opposite ends of the seating member and each connector comprises two lower laps at opposite ends and a lap in a center of the connector such that the fastened seating members and connectors define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
38. A swing according to claim 36 wherein the common point from which the four supports suspend comprises a snap link.
39. A swing according to claim 36 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
40. A swing according to claim 36 wherein each support comprises a rope.
41. A swing comprising:
- four seating members that each defines a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and wherein each seating member is fastened to two seating members at generally perpendicular intersections to define a square center opening, such that the seating members extend beyond the intersections; and
- at least four supports suspended from a common point, wherein each support is connected to a different location on the seating members.
42. A swing according to claim 41 wherein two seating members comprise upper laps and two seating members comprise lower laps such that the fastened seating members define a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface that is generally planar.
43. A swing according to claim 41 wherein the common point from which the four supports suspend comprises a snap link.
44. A swing according to claim 41 wherein the seating members define through holes and each support passes through a through hole and is restrained on the bottom surface of the fastened seat members by a knot in the support.
45. A swing according to claim 41 wherein each support comprises a rope.
46. A toddler attachment for a swing having at least three supports, the toddler attachment comprising:
- a triangular frame member defining three extremities and three interior edges, wherein each extremity defines an attachment, and wherein the attachments are structured for attaching to the supports of the swing; and
- a fabric member surrounded by the frame member such that the fabric member substantially engages the three interior edges of the frame member and defines a recess having two leg holes.
47. A toddler attachment according to claim 46 wherein the attachment comprises a loop, hook, clip, or the like.
48. A toddler attachment according to claim 46 wherein fabric member comprises a material of nylon, canvas, or the like.
49. A toddler attachment according to claim 46 wherein the swing defines a triangular center opening and the triangular frame of the toddler attachment is structured for positioning within the triangular center opening of the swing when the attachments are attached to the supports of the swing.
50. A toddler attachment for a swing having at least four supports, the toddler attachment comprising:
- a rectangular frame member defining four extremities and four interior edges, wherein each extremity defines an attachment, and wherein the attachments are structured for attaching to the supports of the swing; and
- a fabric member surrounded by the frame member such that the fabric member substantially engages the four interior edges of the frame member and defines a recess having two leg holes.
51. A toddler attachment according to claim 50 wherein the attachment comprises a loop, hook, clip, or the like.
52. A toddler attachment according to claim 50 wherein fabric member comprises a material of nylon, canvas, or the like.
53. A toddler attachment according to claim 50 wherein the swing defines a rectangular center opening and the rectangular frame of the toddler attachment is structured for positioning within the rectangular center opening of the swing when the attachments are attached to the supports of the swing.
54. A toddler attachment for a swing having at least five supports, the toddler attachment comprising:
- a pentagonal frame member defining five extremities and five interior edges, wherein each extremity defines an attachment, and wherein the attachments are structured for attaching to the supports of the swing; and
- a fabric member surrounded by the frame member such that the fabric member substantially engages the five interior edges of the frame member and defines a recess having two leg holes.
55. A toddler attachment according to claim 54 wherein the attachment comprises a loop, hook, clip, or the like.
56. A toddler attachment according to claim 54 wherein fabric member comprises a material of nylon, canvas, or the like.
57. A toddler attachment according to claim 54 wherein the swing defines a pentagonal center opening and the pentagonal frame of the toddler attachment is structured for positioning within the pentagonal center opening of the swing when the attachments are attached to the supports of the swing.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 15, 2004
Publication Date: May 19, 2005
Inventor: Michael Pelletier (Gray, TN)
Application Number: 10/988,725