Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6702685
-
Patent Number
6,702,685
-
Date Filed
Monday, April 29, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 9, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 472 118
- 472 119
- 472 120
- 472 121
- 472 122
- 472 123
- 472 124
- 472 125
- 297 273
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to infant swings, and in particular, to a collapsible swing that may be used to entertain and/or pacify an infant located in the swing.
Conventional infant swings may be used to pacify and relax infants. Some conventional swings are design to be folded or otherwise collapsed for transportation and storage. However, even in their collapsed configurations, such swings may be difficult to transport and/or store due to their size and shape. Many conventional swings are difficult to transport because they lack any structure that permits a parent or caregiver to easily grasp and carry the swing.
A need exists for an infant swing that is easily disposable in a deployed configuration and in a collapsed configuration. Moreover, a need exists for an infant swing that can be easily transported.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat. The hanger arms are supported on the base frame and are oriented so that they are open or concave towards the rear of the swing. In another embodiment, a base frame of the swing includes housings that have handles to facilitate the transportation of the swing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a swing according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
illustrates an exploded perspective view of the swing of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
illustrates a side view of the swing of
FIG. 1
in a deployed configuration.
FIG. 4
illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the frame of the swing of
FIG. 3
taken along a vertical plane through the midpoint or center of the swing.
FIG. 5
illustrates a side view of the swing of
FIG. 3
in an operative position.
FIG. 6
illustrates a side view of the swing of
FIG. 3
in a partially collapsed configuration.
FIG. 7
illustrates a side view of the swing of
FIG. 3
in a fully collapsed configuration.
FIG. 8
illustrates a side view of a housing of the swing of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 9
illustrates a side view of the inner surface of a portion of the housing of FIG.
8
.
FIG. 10
illustrates a rear view of an embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention.
FIG. 11
illustrates a bottom view of the actuator of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 12
illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the actuator of
FIG. 10
taken along the line “
12
—
12
” in FIG.
10
.
FIG. 13
illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a side connector according to the invention.
FIG. 14
illustrates a side view the side connector of FIG.
13
.
FIG. 15
illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of a sleeve according to the invention.
FIG. 16
illustrates a rear perspective view of the sleeve of FIG.
15
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat. The hanger arms are supported on the base frame and are oriented so that they are open or concave towards the rear of the swing. In another embodiment, a base frame of the swing includes housings that have handles to facilitate the transportation of the swing.
An embodiment of a swing according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
1
. In the illustrated embodiment, the swing
10
includes a base frame
20
and a seat assembly
100
coupled to the base frame
20
.
The base frame
20
includes a front frame portion
30
and a rear frame portion
40
. As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, the front frame portion
30
includes a substantially U-shaped member with front legs
32
and
34
and a ground engaging portion
33
coupled to the lower end of each of the front legs
32
and
34
. The front legs
32
and
34
include upper ends
36
and
38
, respectively (see FIG.
2
).
Similarly, the rear frame portion
40
includes a substantially U-shaped member with rear legs
42
and
44
and a ground engaging portion
43
coupled to the lower end of each of the rear legs
42
and
44
. The rear legs
42
and
44
include upper ends
46
and
48
, respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base frame
20
includes housings
50
and
70
. The upper end
36
of front leg
32
and the upper end
46
of rear leg
42
are pivotally coupled to housing
50
. Similarly, the upper end
38
of front leg
34
and the upper end
48
of rear leg
44
are pivotally coupled to housing
70
. The front legs and rear legs are coupled to the housings
50
and
70
using any conventional connector or fastener, such as snap tabs, rivets, and/or pins.
The seat assembly
100
is supported by the base frame
20
for movement. The seat assembly
100
includes a seat frame
104
(see FIG.
2
). The seat frame
104
includes a rear backrest portion
105
A and a front seat portion
105
B. The seat frame
104
also includes a fabric material
102
disposed on the seat frame
104
. The fabric material
102
is preferably a unitary piece of fabric including pockets which allow it to be removably mounted on the seat frame
104
.
In the illustrated embodiment, the swing
10
includes a conventional friction drive mechanism (not shown) in housing
70
. The swing
10
also includes a hub
92
coupled to housing
50
and a hub
96
coupled to housing
70
. The hubs can be coupled to the housings in many different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, hub
92
is mounted on a pivot formed on the housing
50
and the hub
96
is mounted on an element of the drive mechanism extending from housing
70
. In alternative embodiments, a portion of a hub can be mounted into an opening in a housing or the hub can be mounted on a structure proximate to the opening or a pivot point on the housing.
The seat frame
104
includes a support or hanger arm
110
coupled to hub
92
and a support or hanger arm
130
coupled to hub
96
. Hub
96
is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism and when the drive mechanism operates, reciprocating motion is imparted to hub
96
and hanger arm
130
. Hub
92
is mounted on a pivot
55
located on the inner side
52
of housing
50
as illustrated in FIG.
2
. As the hub
96
is driven by the drive mechanism, the seat assembly
100
moves and hub
92
reciprocates back and forth on the pivot
55
.
In the illustrated embodiment, housing
50
includes a body
56
and a handle portion
60
. The body
56
includes an inner side
52
and an outer side
54
. The handle portion
60
includes a handle
64
located proximate to and extending from the upper surface
57
of the body
56
. The handle
64
and the upper surface
57
of the body
56
define a handle or transport opening
62
therebetween. The opening
62
is configured to allow a parent or caregiver to insert a hand or other structure through the opening
62
and grip the handle
64
to transport the swing
10
.
The housing
70
includes a body
76
and a handle portion
80
. The body
76
includes an inner side
72
and an outer side
74
. The handle portion
80
of housing
70
includes a handle
84
located proximate to and extending from the upper surface
77
of the body
76
. The handle
84
and the body
76
define a handle or transport opening
82
therebetween. Similar to opening
62
, opening
82
is configured to allow a parent or caregiver to grip the handle
84
to transport the swing
10
.
The handles
64
and
84
may have any configuration and/or size that a user to grip the handles
64
and
84
and transport the swing
10
. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles
64
and
84
are integrally formed with the bodies
56
and
76
of housings
50
and
70
, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the handles may be separate elements and coupled to the corresponding housing body using any conventional mechanism or technique, such as a fastener or an adhesive.
In the illustrated embodiment, the housing
70
also includes control panel
88
mounted along an outer surface of the housing
70
. The control panel
88
includes a switch assembly (not shown) that enables the parent or caregiver to turn on the drive mechanism for the swing and select a particular swing amplitude. The location and function of the control panel may vary depending on the desired motion and control of the swing.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, an exploded perspective view an embodiment of the swing
10
is shown. Hanger arm
110
includes a body portion
116
and ends
112
and
114
. Similarly, hanger arm
130
includes a body portion
136
and ends
132
and
134
. In the illustrated embodiment, the body portions
116
and
136
are non-linear. For example, the body portions
116
and
136
may be curved or may have a J-shape configuration or any other shape or configuration that is not completely in a straight line.
In the illustrated embodiment, the seat frame
104
includes two side connectors
150
and
180
coupled to hanger arms
110
and
130
, respectively. The upper end
112
of hanger arm
110
is coupled to hub
92
and the lower end
114
of hanger arm
110
is coupled to side connector
150
. Similarly, the upper end
132
of hanger arm
130
is coupled to hub
96
and the lower end
134
of hanger arm
130
is coupled to side connector
180
.
The seat frame
104
also includes a back or upper frame member
220
and a leg or lower frame member
240
. Back frame member
220
is pivotally coupled to connectors
150
and
180
. Leg frame member
240
is also pivotally coupled to connectors
150
and
180
.
In the illustrated embodiment, the back frame member
220
includes a wireform member
222
with ends
224
and
226
. Similarly, the leg frame member
240
includes a wireform member
242
with ends
244
and
246
. The particular size and shape of the wireform members
222
and
242
may be varied depending on desired contour and size of the surface on which an infant is to be supported. In an alternative embodiment, the back and leg frame members
240
and
220
may include tubes instead of wireform members
222
and
242
.
As illustrated in
FIG. 2
, the seat frame
104
includes several sleeves that are used to couple the movable components of the seat frame
104
together. In particular, the seat frame
104
includes sleeves
122
and
142
that couple the leg frame member
240
to connectors
150
and
180
, respectively. The seat frame
104
also includes sleeves
210
and
216
that couple the back frame member
220
to side connectors
150
and
180
, respectively.
Sleeve
122
includes a shaft portion
124
and a mounting portion
126
. The mounting portion
126
is positioned in recess
160
on the side connector
150
and is pivotally coupled to the side connector
150
. End
244
of leg frame member
240
is received in an opening in the shaft portion
124
. The end
244
and the shaft portion
124
are fixedly coupled together using a conventional fastener (not shown).
Sleeve
142
includes a shaft portion
144
and a mounting portion
146
. The mounting portion
146
is positioned in a corresponding recess on the side connector
180
and is pivotally coupled to the side connector
180
. End
246
of leg frame member
240
is inserted into an opening in the shaft portion
144
. The end
246
and the shaft portion
144
are fixedly coupled together using a conventional fastener (not shown).
Sleeve
210
includes a shaft portion
211
and a mounting portion
212
. The mounting portion
212
is positioned in recess
162
on the side connector
150
and is pivotally coupled to the side connector
150
. End
224
of back frame member
220
is inserted into an opening in the shaft portion
211
. The end
224
and the shaft portion
211
are fixedly coupled together using a conventional fastener (not shown).
Sleeve
216
includes a shaft portion
217
and a mounting portion
218
. The mounting portion
218
is positioned in a corresponding recess on the side connector
180
and is pivotally coupled to the side connector
180
. End
226
of back frame member
220
is inserted into an opening in the shaft portion
217
. The end
226
and the shaft portion
217
are fixedly coupled together using a conventional fastener (not shown).
As illustrated in
FIG. 2
, side connector
150
includes recesses
160
,
162
, and
170
to receive sleeves
122
and
210
and lower end
114
of hanger arm
110
. The particular structure of the side connector
150
is discussed in more detail with respect to
FIGS. 12 and 13
. The structure of side connector
180
is a mirror-image of that of side connector
150
.
In an alternative embodiment, the back frame member
220
and the leg frame member
240
are coupled to the connectors
150
and
180
without any sleeves. In this embodiment, the ends of the back frame member
220
and the leg frame member
240
are directly coupled to the side connectors
150
and
180
. Each end
244
and
246
of leg frame member
240
includes an opening through which a conventional fastener, such as a rivet or bolt, may be inserted to couple the ends
244
and
246
to the side connectors
150
and
180
, respectively. Similarly, each end
224
and
226
of the back frame member
220
includes an opening through which a conventional fastener may be inserted to couple the ends
224
and
226
to the side connectors
224
and
226
, respectively.
Referring to
FIGS. 3-7
, the relative movements of the swing components and the various configurations of the swing are described. As illustrated in the side view of the swing in
FIG. 3
, the swing
10
has a deployed or operative configuration
12
in which the swing
10
can support an infant.
In this swing deployed configuration
12
, the base frame
20
is disposed in its deployed configuration
22
. As illustrated, the front frame portion
30
and the rear frame portion
40
are located in their outward or support positions relative to housings
50
and
70
.
In this configuration
12
, the seat frame
104
is disposed in its deployed configuration
106
. The back frame member
220
is positioned in a deployed position
228
to support the back of an infant. The leg flame member
240
is positioned in a deployed position
248
to support the bottom and legs of an infant. As discussed in detail below, the deployed positions of the back and leg frame members
220
and
240
relative to a horizontal plane can vary based on the desired configuration and contour of the seat of the swing.
As illustrated in
FIG. 3
, hanger arm
130
is coupled to housing
70
and to side connector
180
. As previously discussed, hanger arm
110
is coupled to housing
50
and to side connector
150
.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, a cross-sectional side view of the flame of the swing of
FIG. 3
is illustrated. While only the left side components of the swing are discussed relative to
FIG. 4
, the right side components of the swing have the correspondingly similar connections and structures and are not discussed in detail for simplicity reasons only.
Leg
32
of the front frame portion
30
is coupled to the housing
50
at pivot point
26
via any conventional fastener or connector. Similarly, leg
42
of rear frame portion
40
is coupled to housing
50
at pivot point
28
. The front frame portion
30
and the rear frame portion
40
are mounted to housing
50
for rotation about pivot points
26
and
28
, respectively.
Now the connections between the hanger arms and the relevant components of the swing are discussed relative to FIG.
4
. The structures and connections of the hanger arms are substantially similar, and thus, only hanger arm
110
is illustrated and discussed in detail for simplicity reasons only.
In the illustrated embodiment, the hub
92
is mounted to the housing
50
for movement about a pivot point
118
. The lower end
114
of the hanger arm
110
is coupled to side connector
150
at a connection or coupling point or points
120
.
The hub
96
is mounted to housing
70
for reciprocating movement about a pivot point (not shown). The lower end
134
of the hanger arm
130
is also coupled to side connector
180
at a connection or coupling point (not shown).
In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion
60
and the transport opening
62
are separate from and located above the pivot point
118
. Similarly, the handle portion
80
and the transport opening
82
are separate from and located above the pivot point on housing
70
for hub
96
. In alternative embodiments, the handle portions may be positioned at different locations on the housings relative to the pivot points.
In the illustrated embodiment, the body portion
116
of the hanger arm
110
extends forwardly from the pivot point
118
and the connection
120
. The body portion
116
is curved so that it extends toward the front frame portion
30
and is open or concave towards the rear frame portion
40
. The body portion
136
of the hanger arm
130
has a similar configuration and orientation.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 5
, the hanger arm is and the back frame member
220
are spaced apart by a distance J. In
FIGS. 3 and 5
, the swing of the present invention and a hanger arm
305
of a conventional swing is illustrated (in phantom). The hanger arm
305
has a straight or linear configuration. The hanger arm
305
and the rear frame portion arc spaced apart by a distance K. The hanger arms
305
and the back frame member form a region
300
in which a body part of an infant could become entrapped. If the head of an infant on the seat extends outwardly into region
300
, the infant's head could become entrapped between hanger arm
305
and the back frame member
220
when the seat is in a rearward position as illustrated in FIG.
5
.
The configuration and orientation of the hanger arms in the swing of the present invention increases the distance J and the region
300
between the hanger arms and the back frame member
220
relative to the corresponding distance K and region
300
in a swing of comparable size that has linear hanger arms (such as hanger arm
305
in FIGS.
3
and
5
). In particular, the distance J and region
300
between the hanger arms and back frame member
220
are larger than the corresponding distance K and region
300
in a comparable swing that has linear hanger arms. The larger distance J and the larger free space region
300
reduce the likelihood that a body part of an infant located in the seat of the swing can become entrapped or pinched between either of the hanger arms and the rear of the seat frame.
In the illustrated embodiment, the leg frame member
240
and sleeve
122
are mounted to side connector
150
for movement about coupling point
206
. Similarly, the back frame member
220
and sleeve
210
are mounted to side connector
150
for movement about coupling point
204
.
Referring to
FIG. 6
, the swing
10
is illustrated in a partially collapsed configuration
14
. In this configuration
14
, the seat frame
104
of the swing
10
is disposed in a collapsed configuration
108
. In this collapsed configuration
108
, the leg frame member
240
is pivoted around coupling point
206
along the direction of arrow “A” to a collapsed position
250
. Similarly, the back frame member
220
is pivoted around coupling point
204
along the direction of arrow “B” to a collapsed position
230
.
Referring to
FIG. 7
, the swing
10
is illustrated in a fully collapsed configuration
16
. In this configuration
16
, the base frame
20
of the swing
10
is disposed in a collapsed configuration
24
. The front frame portion
30
is pivoted around pivot point
26
along the direction of arrow “C” to a collapsed position. Similarly, the real frame portion
40
is pivoted around pivot point
28
along the direction of arrow “D” to a collapsed position.
An embodiment of a housing according to the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
. In the illustrated embodiment, housing
70
contains the drive mechanism for the swing
10
and can be referred to as the drive housing. Housing
50
can be referred to as an idler housing. Each of the housings includes an outer half portion and an inner half portion that are coupled together via any conventional connector. With the exception of the pivot
55
on housing
50
instead of an opening through which part of the drive mechanism can extend, housings
50
and
70
are similar in structure and function, and thus, only housing
70
is described in detail for reasons of simplicity only.
As illustrated in
FIG. 8
, housing
70
includes a body
76
and a handle portion
80
. The handle portion
80
includes a handle
84
coupled to the body
76
. The handle
84
and the body
76
define a handle or transport opening
82
therebetween. The body
76
includes an inner side
72
that faces the seat assembly and an opposite outer side
74
.
The body
76
of housing
70
includes a drive or hub opening
78
through which an element of the drive mechanism extends to support the hub
96
. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle
84
and the handle opening
82
are located above the drive opening
78
. In alternative embodiments, the handle
84
and handle opening
82
may be positioned at any location on the housing
70
.
The body
76
of the housing
70
includes two pairs of actuator openings
280
and
282
, and
284
and
286
. Each pair of actuator openings receives an actuator that is used to adjust the positions of the front and rear frame portions
30
and
40
(shown in phantom) relative to the housing
70
.
A view of the inside surface of the inner half portion of housing
70
is illustrated in FIG.
9
. Housing
70
includes an inner surface
73
with a wall
75
that extends along nearly the entire perimeter edge of the housing
70
. The wall
75
includes openings
292
and
294
along the lower surface
86
of the housing
70
that allow the legs
34
and
44
of the base frame
20
to move relative to the housing
70
. T he body portion
76
includes mounting openings
288
and
290
into which fasteners pivotally coupling the legs
34
and
44
to the housing
70
are inserted.
Each leg
34
and
44
includes a conventional spring-biased button inside the leg that engages with the housing
70
to retain the leg in its deployed position. When a user wants to collapse either of the front frame portion
30
or the rear frame portion
40
, the user presses the button in each corresponding leg inwardly and pivots that leg relative to the housing
70
.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
, the housing
70
includes plates
296
and
298
mounted to the body
76
. Plate
296
and the body
76
define openings
280
and
282
and plate
296
includes a recess
300
. Similarly, plate
298
and the body
76
define openings
284
and
286
and plate
298
includes a recess
302
. The button in leg
32
engages recess
300
when the front frame portion
30
is in its deployed position. Similarly, the button in leg
42
engages recess
302
when the rear frame portion
40
is in its deployed position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the swing
10
includes two actuators mounted to each of the housings
50
and
70
that engage the spring-biased buttons in the corresponding legs. The particular orientation of each actuator depends on the location of the actuator on the housing.
An embodiment of an actuator is illustrated in
FIGS. 10-12
. The actuator
260
includes a plate
266
with an outer surface
262
and an inner surface
264
. The actuator
260
includes a tab
268
at one end and an arm
272
at another end. The tab
268
and arm
272
are inserted into openings
280
and
282
on housing
70
to mount the actuator
260
to the housing
70
(see
FIG. 9
in which arm
272
is illustrated in dashed lines).
The actuator
260
includes a post
270
mounted on the inner surface
264
of the plate
266
. When the actuator
260
is mounted on the housing
70
, the post
270
engages recess
300
. When a user presses on the outer surface
264
of the actuator
260
, the post
270
moves the corresponding spring-biased button inwardly and out of engagement with the recess
300
and leg
32
can be moved. The relevant components and operation is the same for the connection of each leg and the corresponding housing.
An embodiment of a side connector according to the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 14
. Because side connectors
150
and
180
are similar in structure and function, only side connector
150
is described in detail for reasons of simplicity only.
Side connector
150
includes a plate
152
with an inner side
154
and an outer side
156
. The plate
152
has a ridge
158
projecting from to its inner side
154
. The ridge
158
has recesses
160
and
162
formed along one side. As previously discussed, sleeves
122
and
210
are mounted in recesses
160
and
162
, respectively. The sleeves
122
and
210
are coupled to the side connector
150
via fasteners inserted through openings
168
and
169
, respectively.
The ridge
158
also includes contact surfaces
163
and
164
that determine the orientation of sleeves
122
and
210
and the back and leg frame members
220
and
240
. As illustrated in
FIG. 14
, contact surface
162
is disposed in a plane F that is oriented at an angle G with respect to a horizontal plane E (when the seat is in its rest position at the bottom of its travel). In the illustrated embodiment, angle G is approximately 25°.
Similarly, contact surface
164
is disposed in a plane F that is oriented at an angle I with respect to horizontal plane E. In the illustrated embodiment, angle I is approximately 50°. Angles G and I may vary depending on the desired orientation and the particular configuration of the seat.
The side connector
150
also includes a recess
170
formed by a wall
171
proximate to the lower surface of the side connector
150
. The recess
170
is configured to receive the lower end
114
of hanger arm
110
. Conventional connectors or fasteners (not shown) are inserted through openings
172
and
174
to couple the hanger arm
110
to the side connector
150
.
An embodiment of a sleeve according to the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 16
. Because sleeves
122
,
142
,
210
, and
216
are similar in structure and function, only sleeve
210
is described in detail for reasons of simplicity only.
Sleeve
210
includes a shaft portion
211
and a mounting portion
212
. The shaft portion
211
includes an internal cavity
215
into which end
224
of the back frame member
220
is inserted. The shaft portion
211
also includes an opening
219
through which a fastener can be inserted to couple the sleeve
210
and the back frame member
220
. The mounting portion
212
includes a plate
213
with an opening
214
. A fastener (not shown) is inserted through opening
214
and through opening
169
to mount the sleeve
210
to the side connector
150
.
While the side connectors, housings, and hubs of the swing are made from plastic, any suitable material may be used. While the hanger arms, the front and rear frame members of the base frame, and legs of the seat frame are metal tubes, any suitable material that provides sufficient rigidity may be used. For example, metal wire frames may be used instead of metal tubes.
In alternative embodiments, the sleeves and the side connectors may have different configurations so long as the relevant components of the swing can be mounted for movement relative to each other.
In an alternative embodiment, the swing may include a single housing and a single hanger arm coupled to the housing. The seat assembly is coupled to the single hanger arm.
In an alternative embodiment, the hanger arms of the swing can have any non-linear shape or configuration that provides more distance between the hanger arms and the back frame member than in a swing with linear hanger arms.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
- 1. A swing comprising:a base frame, said base frame including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, a first housing coupled to a first side of each of said front frame portion and said rear frame portion, and a second housing coupled to a second side of each of said front frame portion and said rear frame portion; and a seat frame, said seat frame including: a seat; a first support arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first support arm being pivotally coupled to said first housing at a first pivot point, said second end of said first support arm being coupled to said seat, said first end and said second end of said first support arm extending towards said rear frame portion; a second support arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first support arm being pivotally coupled to said second housing at a second pivot point, said second end of said second support arm being coupled to said seat, said first end and said second end of said second support arm extending towards said rear frame portion.
- 2. The swing of claim 1, said first support arm including a curved body portion extending between said first and second ends of said first support arm, said second cud of said first support arm being coupled to said seat at a first connection point, said curved body portion being disposed forwardly of said first pivot point and said first connection point.
- 3. The swing of claim 2, said second support arm including a curved body portion extending between said first and second ends of said second support arm, said second end of said second support arm being coupled to said seat at a second connection point, said curved body portion being disposed forwardly of said second pivot point and said second connection point.
- 4. The swing of claim 1, said first housing including a handle portion.
- 5. The swing of claim 1, further comprising:a hub, said hub being pivotally coupled to said first housing proximate to said first pivot point and being coupled to said first support arm, said first housing defining a handle opening located above said first pivot point.
- 6. The swing of claim 1, said first housing of said base frame including a handle.
- 7. The swing of claim 1, said seat frame including a first side connector, a second side connector, a back frame member pivotally coupled to said first side connector and to said second side connector, and a leg frame member pivotally coupled to said first side connector and to said second side connector.
- 8. The swing of claim 7, further comprising:a fabric member, said fabric member being removably disposable on said back frame member and said leg frame member.
- 9. The swing of claim 7, said back frame member being pivotable between a collapsed position and a deployed position, and said leg frame member being pivotable between its own collapsed position and its own deployed position.
- 10. The swing of claim 1, said base frame being selectively disposable in a collapsed configuration and in a deployed configuration, and said seat frame being selectively disposable in its own collapsed configuration and in its own deployed configuration.
- 11. A swing comprising:a frame, said frame including a housing, said housing including a handle extending therefrom, a front frame portion coupled to said housing, and a rear portion coupled to said housing; and a seat assembly, said seat assembly being supported by said housing of said frame, said seat assembly including a seat and a hanger arm, said hanger arm being pivotally coupled to said housing proximate to a pivot point and being concave towards said rear frame portion, said seat being supported by said hanger arm, said handle being spaced apart from and located above said pivot point, said handle facilitating transportation of the swing.
- 12. The swing of claim 11, said hanger arm having a non-linear configuration.
- 13. The swing of claim 11, said housing being a first housing, said pivot point being a first pivot point, and said hanger arm being a first hanger arm, said frame including a second housing, said second housing including its own handle, said seat assembly including a second hanger arm pivotally coupled to said second housing proximate to a second pivot point, said handle of said second housing being spaced apart from and located above said second pivot point.
- 14. The swing of claim 13, said frame including a front frame portion coupled to said housing and a rear frame portion coupled to said housing, said first hanger arm being concave towards said frame portion, and said second hanger arm being concave towards said rear frame portion.
- 15. A The swing of claim 13, said seat being coupled to said first hanger arm at a first connection point, said first hanger arm including a body portion with a non-linear configuration, said first body portion extending forwardly between said first pivot point and said first connection point, said seat being coupled to said second hanger arm at a second connection point, said second hanger arm including a body portion with a non-linear configuration, said second body portion extending forwardly between said second pivot point and said second connection point.
- 16. The swing of claim 11, said seat being coupled to said hanger arm at a connection point, said hanger arm including a body portion with a non-linear configuration, said body portion extending forwardly between said pivot point and said connection point.
- 17. A swing comprising:a frame, said frame including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion; a first arm, said first arm being pivotally coupled to said frame at a first pivot point; a second arm, said second arm pivotally coupled to said frame at a second pivot point; and a seat, said seat being coupled to said first arm at a first coupling point, said seat being coupled to said second arm at a second coupling point, said first arm extending forwardly toward said front frame portion between said first coupling point and said first pivot point, said second arm extending forwardly toward said front frame portion between said second coupling point and said second pivot point.
- 18. The swing of claim 17, each of said first and second arms having a non-linear configuration.
- 19. The swing of claim 18, said seat being selectively disposable in a collapsed configuration and in a deployed configuration.
- 20. The swing of claim 19, said seat including a first connector, a second connector, an upper frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector, and a lower frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector, said upper frame member being selectively disposable in a collapsed position corresponding to said collapsed configuration and in a deployed position corresponding to said deployed configuration.
- 21. The swing of claim 17, said frame including a first housing coupled to said front frame portion and to said rear frame portion and a second housing coupled to said front frame portion and to said rear frame portion, said first housing including a handle extending therefrom, said second housing including a handle extending therefrom.
- 22. The swing of claim 21, said first housing handle being located above said first pivot point, said second housing handle being located above said second pivot point.
- 23. A seat assembly for a swing including a frame, the seat assembly comprising:a seat frame, said seat frame having a front portion and a rear portion; a first arm having a first end and a second end, said first arm being coupleable to said seat frame, said first arm having a non-linear configuration and said first end and said second end point towards said rear portion of said seat frame; and a second arm having a first end and a second end, said second arm being coupleable to said seat frame, said second arm having a non-linear configuration and said first end and said second end point towards said rear portion of said seat frame.
- 24. The seat assembly of claim 23, said seat frame including a connector, said first arm having a body portion and a lower end, said lower end being coupled to said connector, said body portion extending forwardly from said connector.
- 25. The seat assembly of claim 23, said first arm having a body portion with a curved configuration, said second arm having a body portion with a curved configuration.
- 26. The seat assembly of claim 23, said seat frame including a first connector, a second connector, an upper frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector, and a lower frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector.
- 27. A seat assembly for a swing including a frame, the seat assembly comprising:a seat frame, said seat frame having a front portion, a rear portion, a first connector and a second connector, an upper frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector, and a lower frame member pivotally coupled to said first connector and to said second connector; a first arm, said first arm being coupleable to said seat frame, said first arm having a non-linear configuration; and a second arm, said second and being coupleable to said seat fame, said second arm having a non-linear configuration.
US Referenced Citations (37)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1 429 277 |
Jan 1969 |
DE |
33 34 229 |
Apr 1985 |
DE |
137956 |
Jan 1920 |
GB |