TEETER TOTTER

Abstract

In one example, a teeter totter is provided that includes four support arms spaced apart at substantially equal angular intervals, with a seat being attached to each of the support arms. A hub of the teeter totter includes top and bottom plates which cooperate to at least partly define four sockets, and each of the sockets receives an end of a corresponding support arm. A plastic receiver is connected to the hub, and a plastic pivot is rotatably engaged with the receiver such that the pivot and the receiver cooperate to enable simultaneous movement of the seats in three dimensions. Finally, a base is provided that supports the pivot.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/811,013, entitled TEETER TOTTER, and filed Apr. 11, 2013. The aforementioned application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally concerned with playground equipment. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments concern a teeter totter having multiple seats, each of which is capable of movement in three dimensions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein do not constitute an exhaustive summary of all possible embodiments, nor does this brief summary constitute an exhaustive list of all aspects of any particular embodiment(s). Rather, this brief summary simply presents selected aspects of some example embodiments. It should be noted that nothing herein should be construed as constituting an essential or indispensable element of any invention or embodiment. Rather, various aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined in a variety of ways so as to define yet further embodiments. Such further embodiments are considered as being within the scope of this disclosure. As well, none of the embodiments embraced within the scope of this disclosure should be construed as resolving, or being limited to the resolution of, any particular problem(s). Nor should such embodiments be construed to implement, or be limited to implementation of, any particular technical effect(s) or solution(s).

In one example embodiment, playground equipment is in the form of a teeter totter that includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in unison in three dimensions. Further example embodiments are disclosed elsewhere herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of some example embodiments to further clarify various aspects of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit its scope in any way. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an example teeter totter;

FIG. 1b is a detail perspective view of an example support arm and seat

FIG. 2a is a partial perspective view of an example hub;

FIG. 2b is an exploded view of an example hub and pivot assembly;

FIG. 2c is a section view of an example pivot assembly;

FIG. 2c′ is a detail view of the interface between an example receiver and hub;

FIG. 2d is a bottom perspective view of an example pivot; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of an example teeter totter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is generally concerned with playground equipment. In brief, a teeter totter may, in one implementation, include multiple seats connected to a pivot assembly that enables movement of the seats in unison in three dimensions. A base supports the pivot assembly above a reference surface.

Consistent with the foregoing, embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include any one or more of the following elements, and features of elements, in any combination: a pivot assembly including a pivot and a receiver rotatably engageable with each other; a pivot; a generally spherical pivot; a pivot made substantially of plastic; a pivot that rotatably supports a plurality of seats; a pivot whose position is fixed, relative to a plurality of seats associated with the pivot; a receiver with which a pivot can rotatably interface; a base, such as one or more legs, configured to support a pivot; a base, such as one or more legs, configured to support a pivot above the ground or other reference surface; a pivot and/or receiver that enables one or more seats to move in three dimensions; a pivot and/or receiver that enables one or more seats to move in three dimensions in unison; means for enabling a plurality of seats to move in three dimensions; means for enabling a plurality of seats to move in three dimensions, wherein the means also enables movement in unison of the seats; means for enabling a plurality of seats to move in three dimensions, wherein the means enables one or more seats to rotate about a common axis, which may be a generally vertical axis; one or more seats whose respective positions are fixed relative to each other; one, two, three, four, or more, seats; one or more seats connected either directly or indirectly to a pivot; one or more seats configured for motion in unison with each other; a structure having an element that engages a pivot, and the structure supporting one or more seats; a blow-molded plastic seat; and, one or more support arms configured to connect either directly or indirectly to a pivot, and further configured to support a seat. Any of the aforementioned means for enabling a plurality of seats to move in three dimensions may be implemented in the form of a pivot, a receiver, or both a pivot and a receiver.

Following is a non-exclusive list of embodiments within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in other ways to define still further embodiments.

In a first example embodiment, playground equipment includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in three dimensions.

In a second example embodiment, playground equipment includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in three dimensions, and the pivot is the sole vertical support for the seats.

In a third example embodiment, playground equipment includes four seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in three dimensions.

In a fourth example embodiment, playground equipment includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in unison in three dimensions.

In a fifth example embodiment, playground equipment includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in three dimensions, including about a common, generally vertical, axis.

In a sixth example embodiment, playground equipment includes a plurality of seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in three dimensions, and a base supports the pivot above a reference surface.

In a seventh example embodiment, a teeter totter includes four seats connected to a common pivot that enables movement of the seats in unison in three dimensions, and a base is further provided that supports the pivot above a reference surface.

This disclosure further embraces any playground equipment that includes any of the foregoing embodiments, or one or more aspects thereof. As well, this disclosure embraces the embodiments disclosed herein both in their respective assembled forms, and in respective kit forms. When in the form of a kit, the embodiment may be partly or completely disassembled.

Finally, it should be noted that as used herein, the term ‘at least indirectly connected’ embraces arrangements in which, for example, a first element is connected to a second element not directly but by way of one or more intervening elements, and also embraces arrangements in which, for example, a first element is directly connected to a second element.

A. General Aspects of Some Example Embodiments

In general, playground equipment and associated components disclosed herein, including legs, support arms, seats, hub assemblies, and pivot assemblies, may be constructed with a variety of components and materials including, but not limited to, plastic (including injection-molded, blow-molded, roto-molded, and twin sheet plastic structures and elements) including polycarbonates, rubber, composites, metals, wood, and any one or more of the foregoing. Suitable metals may include steel, aluminum, and aluminum alloys, although the skilled person will understand that a variety of other metals may be employed as well and the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing examples. Where metal is employed in the construction of a playground component, the metal elements may take one or more forms including, but not limited to, square tube, rectangular tube, oval tube, round tube, pipe, angles, flatbar, I-shapes, T-shapes, L-shapes, and combinations and portions of any of the foregoing.

Depending upon the material(s) employed in the construction of the playground equipment, a variety of methods and components may be used to connect, releasably or permanently, various elements of the playground equipment. For example, the various elements of playground equipment or component within the scope of this disclosure may be attached to each other by any one or more of allied processes such as welding or brazing, and/or mechanically by way of fasteners such as bolts, screws, pins, and rivets, for example.

Some, none, or all of portions of a one or more of the playground equipment and its components may be coated with paint or other materials. Surface treatments and textures may also be applied to portions of the playground equipment. At least some of such materials may serve to help prevent, or reduce, rust and corrosion.

B. Structural Aspects of Some Example Embodiments

Directing attention now to the Figures, details are provided concerning example playground equipment, particularly, a teeter totter 100. In the example of FIG. 1, the teeter totter 100 includes four seats 102, although more or fewer seats 102 can be used. The seats 102 may be spaced apart from each other at substantially equal intervals. Thus, in the particular example disclosed in FIG. 1, the seats 102 are spaced at regular angular intervals of about 90 degrees. The seats 102 can comprise any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or combinations of plastic and metal, though other materials could also be used and the scope of the invention is not limited to plastic and metal. In some instances, the seats 102 have a unitary single-piece plastic construction formed by a process such as blow-molding. Each seat 102 may have a seating surface 102a that may optionally be textured, and a handle 102b. The seating surface 102a and handle 102b can be integrally formed with each other, though that is not necessary. As indicated in FIG. 1b, the seats 102 may include a recess 102c on the underside to receive a portion of a support arm 104.

The seats 102 are each attached, removably or permanently, near a first end 104a of a respective support arm 104, which can be a metal pipe or tube. In some instances, the position of the seat 102 along the support arm 104 is adjustable. The second end 104b of each support arm 104 is attached, removably or permanently, to a hub assembly 200. Among other things, the hub assembly 200 serves to position and secure the support arms 104. While FIG. 1a discloses an arrangement where four support arms 104 are present, it will be appreciated that fewer support arms 104 can be employed. By way of illustration, the teeter totter 100 can be assembled in such a way that only two support arms 104, which may be disposed about 180 degrees apart from each other, are employed. If desired, two additional support arms 104 can be attached to the teeter totter 100 at another time. Still other numbers of support arms, such as three, or more than four, can alternatively be employed.

As indicated in the Figures, such as FIG. 1a for example, the hub assembly 200 may be configured such that all of the support arms 104 reside in the same plane, or in substantially the same plane, which can be horizontal, or non-horizontal, relative to a reference surface 150 such as the surface upon which the teeter totter 100 is positioned. As a result of this configuration, the support arms 104 all have the same vertical distance above a horizontal reference surface 150 when the aforementioned plane is oriented to be substantially parallel to that horizontal reference surface 150. As well, the plane in which the support arms 104 reside can be tilted relative to axis AA, or may be generally perpendicular to axis AA, as shown in FIG. 1 for example. It should be noted that it is not required that all seats 102 reside in the same plane.

In the illustrated example, and with reference now as well to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the hub assembly 200 includes a top plate 202 and a bottom plate 204, each of which may be made of metal and/or other material(s). One or both of the top plate 202 and bottom plate 204 includes recessed portions 202a and 204a, respectively, that cooperate with each other to at least partly define a socket 206 within which a second end 104b of a support arm 104 is received. The top plate 202 and bottom plate 204 may have substantially the same configuration. The support arms 104 are secured, releasably or permanently, in position in respective sockets 206 by any suitable means or device, examples of which include welding, brazing, bolts or other fasteners 207.

With continued reference to the Figures, the hub 200 may be configured to include a plurality of webs 208, where the webs 208 are arranged such that a web 208 is positioned between each pair of adjacent support arms 104. Among other things, the webs 208 may add strength and rigidity to the hub 200 and its connection with the support arms 104. In the illustrated examples, the webs 208 are integral with the top plate 202 and/or bottom plate 204, although that is not required and the webs 208 can be implemented separately from the top plate 202 and/or bottom plate 204.

As indicated in FIGS. 2a-2c, the hub 200 is supported, and retained by, a pivot assembly 300. The pivot assembly 300 and the hub 200 are supported above a reference surface, such as the ground or a concrete slab for example, by a base 400. With continued reference to the Figures, details are provided concerning the example pivot assembly 300. As shown in the Figures, the pivot assembly 300 includes a receiver 302 that resides in the hub assembly 200. In particular, and with reference to FIG. 2c, the receiver 302 is sandwiched between the top plate 202 and bottom plate 204 and held in position there by clamping force exerted by the bolts 207. The receiver 302 is prevented from rotating inside the top plate 202 and bottom plate 204 by a square portion 303 that protrudes into a square hole 202b in the top plate 202 to keep the receiver 302 from rotating. Thus, in this example, the receiver 302 is not connected to the hub 200, although in some alternative embodiments, the receiver 302 may be attached to the hub 200 with fasteners such as bolts, screws, or rivets, for example.

As noted above, the receiver 302 can reside partly, or substantially, within the hub assembly 200, although that is not necessary. The receiver 302 can be composed of any suitable material(s) or combinations thereof, examples of which include metals, plastics and, particularly, low-friction, wear-resistant plastics such as Delrin® (chemical names include polyoxymethylene (POM), acetal resin, polytrioxane and polyformaldehyde). In some instances, the receiver 302 is formed by injection-molding, although other production processes could be used.

The receiver 302 defines a socket 302a having an internal radius that, in some embodiments, is substantially the same as a radius of a pivot 304, discussed below. The respective radii and/or other portions of the socket 302a and pivot 304 may be such that the pivot 304 can be snap fit into the socket 302a. As well, the receiver 302 may include one or more internal ribs 302b which may enhance the strength and stiffness of the receiver 302.

Thus, and as noted earlier, any of a pivot 304, a receiver 302, or a combination of a pivot 304 and a receiver 302, may comprise an example structural implementation of a means for enabling a plurality of seats 102 to move in three dimensions. Any other structure(s) or combinations thereof of comparable functionality may alternatively be employed.

With continued attention to the Figures, the pivot 304 can be composed of any suitable material(s) or combinations thereof, examples of which include metals, plastics and, particularly, low-friction, wear-resistant plastics such as polyamides, at least some of which are sometimes referred to as nylon (aliphatic polyamides), and plastics sold under the trademark Teflon®, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In some embodiments, the pivot 304 may be made of a material dissimilar to that of the receiver 302 to facilitate an increase in relative wear-resistance between the pivot 304 and receiver 302 in the pivot assembly 300. However, the pivot 304 and receiver 302 need not be made of dissimilar materials and, accordingly, in some embodiments, the pivot 304 and receiver 302 are composed of the same material(s), or substantially the same material(s).

In some instances, the pivot 304 is formed by injection molding, although other production processes could also be used. The pivot 304 includes an engaging portion, such as a ball 304a for example, configured to rotatably engage the receiver 302. The ball 304a of the pivot 304 may comprise a portion of a sphere, though other shapes can alternatively be employed. More generally, the ball 304a and socket 302a can have any other shape or configuration that allows relative rotational motion between those components. In at least some embodiments, the ball 304a has a configuration that includes feature(s) such as, for example, slots 305, holes, dimples, depression, recesses, cutouts, voids, or any combination of the foregoing, that result in the ball 304 having a non-solid construction. In some embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned features extend substantially, or completely, through the ball 304a. In other embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned features extend only part way into the ball 304a. In still other embodiments, the ball 304a may be substantially solid.

In addition, and with reference to FIG. 2c in particular, at least some embodiments of the pivot 304 are configured with a tapered portion 304b that extends, for example, between the ball 304a and the lower portion 304c. More specifically, the tapered portion 304b has a relatively small diameter in its upper part adjacent the ball 304a and transitions to a relatively larger diameter in its lower part adjacent the lower portion 304c. As best shown in FIGS. 2a and 2c for example, the configuration and location of the tapered portion 304b enables the receiver 302 to rotate relatively further away from a vertical position than would be the case if the tapered portion 304b were not present. The taper may be defined by a taper angle θ that can have a variety of values. In some embodiments, the taper angle θ may be in a range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In other embodiments, the taper angle θ may be in a range of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees.

Among other things, this tapered configuration of the pivot 304 may enable an extensive downward range of motion of the arms 104. In at least some embodiments, the range of motion enabled by the tapered configuration of the pivot 304 is sufficiently large that each of the support arms 104 and/or their associated seat 102 is able to contact the ground or other surface on which the teeter totter 100 is situated. Thus, and as indicated in FIG. 3, a tilt angle β and/or range of tilt angles β may be cooperatively defined by a support arm 104 and reference surface 150. The tilt angle β can have a variety of values and, in one particular example, may be in a range of about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees. In some instances, the range of motion may be such that it is possible for two adjacent arms 104 and/or their associated seats 102, such as the two left-most seats 102 in FIG. 1 for example, to contact the ground simultaneously.

Finally, at least some embodiments of the teeter totter 100 include a base 400. The base 400 may be attached, permanently or removably, to the pivot assembly 300 and supports the pivot assembly 300 at a desired height above a reference surface 150, such as the ground for example. In some embodiments, the base 400 has an adjustable height, which may be achieved by any suitable mechanism, such as telescoping legs for example. In the illustrated example, the base 400 includes four legs 402, which can each be generally “L” shaped to provide support and stability to the teeter totter 100. Legs of other shapes, sizes and configurations can alternatively be employed however. The legs 402 may be attached to each other, and connect to a lower portion 304b of the pivot 304, and the lower portion 304c may be integrally formed with the ball 304a, although that is not necessary. Alternative to the base 400, other support structures using any combination of, but not limited to, sheet metal, plastic, wood or other material may be employed in one or more pieces to construct a support structure for the pivot 304.

As indicated in FIG. 2d in particular, the lower portion 304c of the pivot 304 may define a recess 304d within which respective ends of the legs 402 are received, although the legs 402 can be attached to the pivot assembly 300 in other ways as well. As best shown in FIG. 2d, the recess 304d may include a plurality of fins 304e that each fit between two adjacent legs 402 when the legs 402 are received in the recess 304d. In at least some embodiments, the fins 304e are integrally formed with the other elements of the pivot 304. Among other things, the fins 304e serve to retain the legs 402 in position relative to each other, and the fins 304e also prevent the pivot 304 from rotating relative to the base 400 and legs 402. Finally, the fins 304e also permit the pivot 304 to be securely attached to the base 400 and legs 402 without the use of fasteners or other hardware, although elimination of the use of fasteners and/or other hardware is not required. This aspect of the fins 304e makes assembly and disassembly of the teeter totter 100 easier and faster for the user.

C. Operational Aspects of Some Example Embodiments

With continued reference to the Figures, details are now provided concerning various operational aspects of some example embodiments. In general, the ball and socket configuration of the pivot assembly 300 enables, among other things, the seats 102 to rotate in unison about a generally vertical axis AA, as indicated for example in FIGS. 1 and 3. As well, the pivot assembly 300 also enables the seats 102 to rotate about one or more axes BB, as indicated for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, defined by a pair of opposing seats 102. Depending upon the positions of the opposing seats 102, the axis BB can be generally horizontal, relative to a reference surface 150 such as the ground, or can be tilted, relative to the reference surface 150. More generally, one or more axes BB can be generally non-vertical axes. In some instances at least, these movements of the seats 102 about the axis AA, and about one or more axes BB, occur simultaneously. That is, the configuration of the pivot assembly 300 enables the seats 102 to move together simultaneously in three dimensions.

D. Some Further Example Embodiments

In some instances, the pivot assembly 300 may be configured so that the pivot 304 can be interchangeable with another pivot 304 that, for example, includes a circumferential lip formed below the ball 304a so that the pivot 304 permits motion only about the AA axis, and not about any other axis, or axes. In another example embodiment, the circumferential lip, or component of comparable functionality, may be a removable element that can be selectively attached to, and detached from, the pivot 304. In still another example embodiment, a pivot assembly 300 is provided whose configuration is generally the reverse of the configuration disclosed in the Figures. In particular, this example embodiment of a pivot assembly 300 may be configured such that a receiver 302 is provided that is attached, or attachable, to a base 400, while a pivot ball is provided that is attached, or attachable, to a hub assembly 200.

E. Further Aspects of Some Example Embodiments

As will be apparent from the disclosure, one or more embodiments of the invention, such as the teeter totter 100 for example, can provide one or more advantageous and unexpected effects, in any combination, some examples of which are set forth below. It should be noted that such effects enumerated herein are neither intended, nor should be construed, to limit the scope of the claimed invention in any way.

For example, one or more embodiments of the invention may be advantageous inasmuch as they enable at least two seats of a teeter totter to move in unison with each other while moving in as many as three dimensions. As another example, one or more embodiments of the invention may be advantageous inasmuch as they enable more than two seats, four seats for example, of a teeter totter to move in unison with each other while moving in as many as three dimensions. In a further example, one or more embodiments of the invention employ pivot that is elevated above the surface that supports the teeter totter and, as a result, the pivot is not exposed to the type of wearing and damage that could result if the pivot were positioned on a surface such as the ground. In connection with the preceding example, the elevation of the pivot above the support surface enables smooth and reliable movement of the arms/seats relative to the pivot, even if the teeter totter is placed on a surface, such as the ground, that is rough, uneven, or bumpy. In still another example, one or more embodiments of the invention may be advantageous inasmuch as they are non-motorized. In still another example, one or more embodiments of the invention may be advantageous inasmuch as they provide for a configuration where the arms to which the sets are attached all reside in the same plane, with the result that all of the arms in such embodiments can have an identical configuration, as compared for example, with an arrangement where some arms are vertically stacked above other arms thereby necessitating arms of differing configurations and increasing manufacturing costs. As a final example, one or more embodiments of the invention may be advantageous inasmuch as they employ a pivot that is not directly connected to the arms that support the seats while, in contrast, a configuration where the arms are directly connected to the pivot can experience high stress, and possibly failure, at the locations where the arms connect to the pivot.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A teeter totter, comprising:

a plurality of support arms;

a plurality of seats, each of the seats connected to a respective support arm;

a hub in which an end of each support arm is received;

a receiver at least partly residing in the hub;

a pivot rotatably engaged with the receiver, wherein the pivot includes an upper ball portion, a lower portion, and a tapered portion that extends between the upper ball portion and the lower portion, wherein the pivot and the receiver cooperate to enable simultaneous movement of the seats in three dimensions; and

a base to which the pivot is mounted.

2. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiver substantially comprises plastic and the pivot substantially comprises plastic.

3. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper ball portion of the pivot has a non-solid construction.

4. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the hub includes a pair of plates which cooperate to at least partly define a plurality of sockets, each of the sockets receiving an end of a corresponding support arm.

5. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of seats includes first and second seats spaced apart about 180 degrees, and wherein the first and second seats are rotatable about an axis defined by the support arms to which the first and second seats are connected.

6. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiver defines a socket with which the upper ball portion of the pivot is engaged.

7. The teeter totter as recited in claim 1, wherein the tapered portion includes an upper part adjacent to the upper ball portion and a lower part adjacent to the lower portion, and a diameter of the upper part is smaller than a diameter of the lower part.

8. A teeter totter, comprising:

a plurality of support arms;

a plurality of seats, each of the seats connected to a respective support arm;

a hub in which an end of each support arm is received;

a receiver substantially comprising plastic and at least partly residing in the hub;

a pivot substantially comprising plastic and rotatably engaged with the receiver, wherein the plastic pivot comprises a single piece of material with a non-solid construction, and wherein the pivot and the receiver cooperate to enable simultaneous movement of the seats in three dimensions; and

a base to which the pivot is mounted.

9. The teeter totter as recited in claim 8, wherein the pivot defines a recess in which the base is partly received.

10. The teeter totter as recited in claim 8, wherein the pivot comprises a ball portion that engages a corresponding socket defined by the receiver.

11. The teeter totter as recited in claim 8, wherein the pivot includes a ball portion within which a plurality of one or more of slots, recesses, voids, holes, dimples, depressions, cutouts, or any combination of the foregoing, are formed.

12. The teeter totter as recited in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the receiver is positioned inside the hub.

13. The teeter totter as recited in claim 8, wherein the pivot includes an upper ball portion, a lower portion, and a tapered portion that extends between the upper ball portion and the lower portion, and a diameter of the tapered portion in its upper part adjacent to the upper ball portion is smaller than a diameter of the tapered portion in its lower part adjacent to the lower portion.

14. A teeter totter, comprising:

four support arms spaced apart at substantially equal angular intervals;

four seats, each of the seats connected to a respective support arm;

a hub that includes top and bottom plates which cooperate to at least partly define four sockets, each of the sockets receiving an end of a corresponding support arm;

a receiver substantially comprising plastic and at least partly residing in the hub;

a pivot substantially comprising plastic and rotatably engaged with the receiver and defining a recess, wherein the pivot and the receiver cooperate to enable simultaneous movement of the seats in three dimensions; and

a base partly received in the recess defined by the pivot.

15. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the pivot comprises a ball portion that is engaged with a socket defined by the receiver.

16. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the pivot has a single-piece integrated construction that includes an upper ball portion, a lower portion, and a tapered portion that extends between the upper ball portion and the lower portion, and a diameter of the tapered portion in its upper part adjacent to the upper ball portion is smaller than a diameter of the tapered portion in its lower part adjacent to the lower portion.

17. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the pivot includes a ball portion within which a plurality of one or more of slots, recesses, voids, holes, dimples, depressions, cutouts, or any combination of the foregoing, are formed.

18. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of internal vertical ribs.

19. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the pivot comprises a plurality of fins which facilitate prevention of rotation of the pivot relative to the base.

20. The teeter totter as recited in claim 14, wherein the hub includes a plurality of webs, each of the webs positioned between a pair of adjacent support arms.