Claims
- 1. A swing assembly comprising:
- a seat;
- at least one hanger connected to said seat;
- a support frame supporting said hanger; and
- a swing drive mechanism mounted on said support frame for oscillating said hanger relative to said support frame, said swing drive mechanism comprising:
- an axle mounted on said support frame, wherein said hanger is operatively connected to said axle;
- a drive sleeve mounted coaxially and rotatably about said axle, wherein said sleeve is rotatable relative to said axle;
- a drive flange mounted on said axle;
- a drive flange coupling device positioned between said drive sleeve and said drive flange to cause said axle to oscillate with said drive sleeve;
- a crank linked to said sleeve for oscillating said sleeve; and
- a motor for rotating said crank.
- 2. A swing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said coupling device comprises at least one spring mounted coaxially and rotatably relative to said axle and collinearly adjacent relative to said sleeve, wherein said spring is positioned to enable engagement with said sleeve.
- 3. A swing assembly according to claim 2, wherein said coupling device further comprises a hub member rotatably mounted on said axle, wherein said spring is coaxially mounted to said hub member, said hub member including abutments for engaging with said drive flange, whereby torque applied to said sleeve is transferred to said spring which causes said hub member to rotate and cause said abutments to engage said drive flange and transfer to said axle.
- 4. A swing assembly according to claim 3, wherein said sleeve includes a channel running parallel with said axle and said crank has a ball mounted thereon, said ball being mounted in said channel and slideable and relative thereto, said ball being slideably movable and rotatable relative to said crank, whereupon rotation of said crank causes said sleeve to oscillate about said axle and along with said axle.
- 5. A swing assembly according to claim 4, wherein said motor has an output shaft mounted substantially perpendicular to said axle and said crank rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to said output shaft and said axle.
- 6. A swing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a control for changing the swing amplitude.
- 7. A swing assembly according to claim 6, wherein said control has means for selectively providing at least two different predetermined swing amplitudes.
- 8. A swing assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control has means for selectively providing three different predetermined swing amplitudes.
- 9. A swing assembly according to claim 8, wherein said control has means for detecting the swing amplitude.
- 10. A swing assembly according to claim 9, wherein said control has means for controlling the swing amplitude based on the amplitude detected and the amplitude selected.
- 11. An open top swing comprising:
- a seat;
- a pair of hangers connected to said seat;
- a free standing support frame pivotally supporting said hanger, said support frame comprising:
- a rear base;
- first and second opposed legs extending upwardly at an angle from ends of said rear base;
- a front base;
- third and fourth opposed legs extending upwardly at an angle from ends of said front base,
- wherein said first and third legs converge toward each other, and said second and fourth legs converge toward each other;
- a first connector attached to said first and third legs for maintaining said first and third legs at a fixed position relative to each other;
- a second connector attached to said second and fourth legs for maintaining said second and fourth legs at a fixed position relative to each other;
- a first axle journaled for rotation on said first connector;
- a second axle journaled for rotation on said second connector;
- a hub mounted to each of said first and second axles, wherein one of said hangers is mounted to one of the hubs and the other of said hangers mounted to the other of said hubs; and
- a swing drive mechanism mounted on said one of said first and second connector and operatively connected to respective one of said first and second axle for oscillating said seat, wherein said swing drive mechanism has means for selectively controlling the degree of rotation of said first and second axles.
- 12. An open top swing according to claim 11, wherein said front base is substantially trapezoidal shaped, defined by a median arm and a pair of oppositely extending arms extending from ends of said medial arm, wherein said third and fourth legs extend from ends of said oppositely extending arms.
- 13. An open top swing according to claim 12, wherein said median arm is substantially parallel to said rear base and extends rearwardly toward said rear base.
- 14. An open top swing according to claim 11, further comprising an overrotation stop mounted to each of said hubs and a cooperating overrotation stop mounted to each of said first and second connectors adjacent each of said hubs, wherein said stop and said cooperating stop prevent overrotation of said hubs relative to the first and second connectors.
- 15. An open top swing according to claim 11, wherein said swing drive mechanism has control means for selectively providing at least two different predetermined swing amplitudes.
- 16. An open top swing according to claim 15, wherein said control means selectively provides three different predetermined swing amplitudes.
- 17. An open top swing according to claim 16, wherein said control means includes means for detecting the swing amplitude and controls the swing amplitude based on the amplitude detected and the amplitude selected.
- 18. An open top swing according to claim 17, wherein said swing drive mechanism comprises:
- a drive sleeve mounted coaxially and rotatably about said one axle connected to said one connector mounting said swing drive mechanism, wherein said sleeve is rotatable relative to said one axle;
- a drive flange mounted on said one axle to provide a limited degree of rotation of said sleeve relative to said axle;
- a crank linked to said sleeve for oscillating said sleeve; and
- a motor fixedly connected relative to said one connector and operatively connected to said crank for rotating said crank, wherein said sleeve converts rotary motion to oscillatory motion to thereby oscillate said one axle and thus said one hub, thereby oscillating said seat via said hangers.
- 19. An open top swing according to claim 18, further comprising a drive flange coupling device positioned between said drive sleeve and said drive flange to cause said axle to oscillate with said drive sleeve.
- 20. An open top swing according to claim 19, wherein said coupling device comprises at least one spring mounted coaxially and rotatably relative to said axle and collinearly adjacent relative to said sleeve, wherein said spring is positioned to enable engagement with said sleeve.
- 21. An open top swing according to claim 20, wherein said coupling device further comprises a hub member rotatably mounted on said axle, wherein said spring is coaxially mounted to said hub member, said hub member including abutments for engaging with said drive flange, whereby torque applied to said sleeve is transferred to said spring which causes said hub member to rotate and cause said abutments to engage said drive flange and transfer to said axle.
- 22. An open top swing according to claim 21, wherein said sleeve includes a channel running parallel with said axle and said crank has a ball mounted thereon, said ball being mounted in said channel and slideable and relative thereto, said ball being slideably movable and rotatable relative to said crank, whereupon rotation of said crank causes said sleeve to oscillate about said axle and along with said axle.
- 23. A swing drive mechanism adapted for a swing that includes a supporting frame and an axle operatively connected to a hanger suspending a seat comprising:
- a drive sleeve adapted for mounting coaxially and rotatably about said axle, wherein said sleeve is rotatable relative to said axle;
- a drive flange adapted for mounting on said axle;
- a drive flange coupling device positioned between said drive sleeve and said drive flange and adapted to cause said axle to oscillate with said drive sleeve;
- a crank linked to said sleeve for oscillating said sleeve; and
- a motor for rotating said crank.
- 24. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said coupling device comprises at least one spring adapted for mounting coaxially and rotatably relative to said axle and collinearly adjacent relative to said sleeve, wherein said spring is positioned to enable engagement with said sleeve.
- 25. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 24, wherein said coupling device further comprises a hub member adapted for rotatably mounting on said axle, wherein said spring is coaxially mounted to said hub member, said hub member including abutments for engaging with said drive flange, wherein torque applied to said sleeve is transferred to said spring which causes said hub member to rotate and cause said abutments to engage said drive flange and transfer to said axle.
- 26. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said coupling device comprises two springs coaxially mounted to said hub member, wherein said springs are arranged so that said sleeve can engage one of the two springs and said drive flange can engage the other of said two springs when said sleeve is rotated in one direction, and said sleeve can engage said other spring and said drive flange can engage said one spring when said sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction.
- 27. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 26, wherein said springs are coiled in opposite directions such that said sleeve and drive flange tend to cause said springs to coil tighter around said hub member, wherein said springs, said hub member and said drive flange provide three spring gradients.
- 28. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 27, wherein said sleeve is freely rotatable relative to said springs for a limited degree, wherein the free limited degree rotation provides first of said three spring gradients, wherein said sleeve engages one of said springs and the other of said springs engages said drive flange upon rotation of said sleeve beyond said free rotation, causing said two springs to be active, providing second of said three spring gradients, wherein further rotation of said sleeve rotates said hub member along with said sleeve and causes said abutments to engage said drive flange which prevents said hub member from rotating relative to said drive flange, causing said spring engaging said drive flange to be inactive, providing the third spring gradient.
- 29. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 28, wherein said sleeve includes a channel adapted to run parallel with said axle and said crank has a ball mounted thereon, said ball being mounted in said channel and slideable and relative thereto, said ball being slideably movable and rotatable relative to said crank, whereupon rotation of said crank causes said sleeve to oscillate about said axle and along with said axle.
- 30. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 29, wherein said crank has an offset driven portion which extends a distance from its axis of rotation, wherein said ball is mounted on said offset portion and orbits about said axis of rotation.
- 31. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 30, wherein said motor has an output shaft mounted substantially perpendicular to said axle and said crank rotates about said axis that is perpendicular to said output shaft.
- 32. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 31, further comprising control means adapted for selectively controlling the degree of rotation of said axle.
- 33. A swing drive mechanism according to claim 32, wherein said control means has means for selectively providing three predetermined different swing amplitudes and includes means for detecting the swing amplitude, wherein said control means controls the swing amplitude based on the amplitude detected and the amplitude selected.
- 34. An open top support frame for a swing having a pair of hangers suspending a seat comprising:
- a rear base;
- first and second opposed legs extending upwardly at an angle from ends of said rear base;
- a front base;
- third and fourth opposed legs extending upwardly at an angle from ends of said front base, wherein said first and third legs converge toward each other, and said second and fourth legs converge toward each other;
- a first connector attached to said first and third legs for maintaining said first and third legs at a fixed position relative to each other;
- a second connector attached to said second and fourth legs for maintaining said second and fourth legs at a fixed position relative to each other;
- a pivot operatively mounted to said first connector;
- a second pivot operatively mounted to said second connector;
- a hub mounted to each of said first and second pivots, wherein one of said hangers is mounted to one of the hubs and the other of said hangers mounted to the other of said hubs; and
- an overrotation stop mounted to each of said hubs and a cooperating overrotation stop mounted to each of said first and second connectors adjacent each of said hubs, wherein said stop and said cooperating stop prevent overrotation of said hubs relative to the first and second connectors.
- 35. An open top support frame according to claim 34, wherein said front base is substantially trapezoidal shaped, defined by a median arm and a pair of oppositely extending arms extending from ends of said medial arm, wherein said third and fourth legs extend from ends of said oppositely extending arms.
- 36. An open top support frame according to claim 35, wherein said median arm is substantially parallel to said rear base and extends rearwardly toward said rear base.
- 37. A method of selectively controlling swing heights or amplitudes in a swing that has a motor operated swing drive mechanism comprising the steps of:
- providing a selection of at least first and second swing height settings, wherein said first setting is smaller than said second setting;
- selectively inputting at least one of no voltage, a predetermined first voltage and a predetermined second voltage to said motor based on the selection of the swing height setting to achieve the selected swing height, wherein said first and second voltages are higher than zero, and said first voltage is lower than said second voltage.
- 38. A method according to claim 36, wherein upon selection of said first swing height setting, applying said first voltage to said motor.
- 39. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of detecting the swing amplitude.
- 40. A method according to claim 39, wherein upon selection of said first swing height setting, comprising the steps of:
- initially applying said first voltage to said motor;
- continuously maintaining said first voltage to said motor until the swing height is greater than said selected first swing height;
- applying no voltage to said motor when and if the sensed swing height exceeds said first height setting for the duration of the portion of the swing that exceeds said first swing height.
- 41. A method according to claim 39, wherein upon selection of said second swing height setting, comprising the steps of:
- initially applying said first voltage to said motor;
- continuously maintaining said first voltage to said motor until the swing height is greater than said first swing height setting;
- applying said second voltage to said motor for the duration of the portion of the swing that is greater than said first swing height setting.
- 42. A method according to claim 39, further comprising the steps of:
- further providing a third swing height setting, wherein said third setting is greater than said second setting; and
- selectively inputting at least one of said no voltage, said predetermined first voltage, said predetermined second voltage and a third predetermined voltage to said motor based on the selection of the swing height setting to achieve the selected swing height, wherein said third voltage is higher than zero voltage and higher than said second voltage.
- 43. A method according to claim 42 further comprising the steps of, upon selection of said third swing height setting:
- initially applying said first voltage to said motor;
- continuously maintaining said first voltage to said motor until the swing height is greater than said first swing height setting;
- applying said third voltage to said motor for the duration of the portion of the swing that is greater than said first swing height setting.
- 44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of, when and if the swing height is greater than said selected third swing height setting, applying said first voltage to said motor for the duration of the portion of the swing that is greater than said third swing height setting.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part of design application Ser. No. 29/013,747 filed on Oct. 1, 1993.
US Referenced Citations (39)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
450755 |
Aug 1949 |
ITX |
497871 |
Sep 1954 |
ITX |
1070921 |
Jul 1967 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
13747 |
Oct 1993 |
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