RECREATIONAL APPARATUS PROVIDING UP AND DOWN MOTION AND ROTATIONAL MOTION

Abstract

A recreational apparatus that provides up and down motion and rotational motion is encompassed. The apparatus comprising a beam mounted on a mount, in order to achieve up and down and rotational motion. The beam comprises a seat at the first and second ends on substantially opposing sides of the mount and an impact absorption member located with each seat. The impact absorption member is a resilient ball, wherein at least part of the ball fits through a rim in the seat. According to a further embodiment, the recreational apparatus can be adjusted as the beam is capable of being located on the mount at different positions along the length of the beam.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion.

STATE OF THE ART

Recreational apparatus, such as see saws or teeter totters, that have both up and down motion and rotational motion are known in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672, which discloses a mount and a beam mounted at one end on the mount and having a seat at the other end. This beam is biased upwardly with a strong elastic band. However, such apparatus have disadvantages that hinder their usability.

A problem with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672 is that these see saws can only be used by one child at a time and thus require more effort for the child to play on the see saw. This may represent a distinct problem to smaller children who could find it difficult to manoeuvre the see saw at all.

Another disadvantage is that the see saw will only be able to handle a relatively limited range in the weight of the children playing on it. If a child is much lighter or heavier than the range for which the see saw is set, it will be necessary to remove the elastic band or ‘biasing device’ and replace it with an alternative. Furthermore anchoring of the see saw is structurally challenging because of the cantilever configuration.

Yet further, seats of known rotating see saws are relatively complex arrangements with multiple parts. This has the disadvantage of increased manufacturing costs and difficulties. In addition, seats of this type may consist of a more rigid material having attached on its underside some form of impact absorber. This can be uncomfortable for the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rotating and up and down motion apparatus with at least two seats. This overcomes the disadvantages of the known rotating see saw because the children can use each others weight to counterbalance the see saw.

In addition, the present invention is easy to adjust to account for children of varying weights due to a quick release mechanism attaching the beam to the mount. It is therefore possible for a heavier child to play with a lighter child and subsequently the see saw can be easily adjusted by an adult or child for two lighter children to play on the see saw, or vice versa. Yet further, anchoring the see saw is less critical. This feature also allows the apparatus to be dismantled for ease of storage.

In another aspect, the seat is made up of two parts only where a resilient ball protrudes though a rim. The resilient ball forms the majority of the seat, with minimal rigid material. This maximises the bounce that is experienced by the children and contributes to the comfort. Yet further, the large soft surface area of the ball minimises the risk of entrapping the users' ankles.

Throughout the discussion and figures of the embodiments like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a recreational apparatus providing up and down and rotational motion according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section along the centre of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is an exploded isometric view of a bearing bush;

FIG. 3 b is a top plan view of the bearing bush of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 c is an exploded front elevational view of the bearing bush of FIG. 3b;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the seat;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the seat taken along the line B-B; FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of a yoke and pin by which the beam can be attached to the mount;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the beam;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the mount; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Herein the term see-saw is taken to mean a long beam, plank or elongated member mounted on a central fulcrum so that when a person is riding on each end, one end goes up as the other goes down. A see-saw also has a number of regional terms as follows, which mean the same, teeter-totter, teeter, teeterboard, tilt, tilting board, teedle board, dandle board and dandle.

Herein the mount is taken to mean a vertical support, which can be balanced on the ground and to which a beam may be attached. Examples of a mount include, but are not limited to, a pylon, pole, frame, brace, bracket, prop, post, pillar, timber and rod.

Herein the beam is taken to mean a horizontal support that is considerably longer than it is wide. Examples of a beam include, but are not limited to, a plank, timber, sleeper, trestle, pole, tube, arm and rod.

Herein “substantially opposing” means essentially at opposite ends and does not have to be at exactly opposite ends but sufficient to provide some measure of counterbalance.

Herein an impact absorption member means any means by which the energy from the impact of the end of the beam contacting the ground is at least partially absorbed. Examples of an impact absorption member include, but are not limited to, a cushion, ball, balloon, spheroid, bumper, pad and spring.

Herein a ball means any spherical, circular, bulbous, cylindrical, egg-shaped, round or oval member.

Referring to FIG. 1 a beam (1) attached to a mount (2) is shown for a recreational apparatus that provides up and down and rotational motion. The beam (1) has a seat (10a and 10b) at each of the first and second end, which can be made up of a resilient ball (5), which fits through a rim (4). The ball (5) is located below the seat (10a and 10b) and acts as an impact absorber when the seat (10a and 10b) reaches the ground, designed to repeatedly and resiliently contact the surface. FIG. 4 is an example of the rim (4) and includes a hole (14) in the centre through which the ball (5) can fit. The hole (14) can be wider at the uppermost part so that when part of the ball is compressed to fit through the hole (14) it then re-expands to fit on top of the rim, providing the seat (10a and 10b) and wedging the ball (5) in the rim (4). The seat (10a and 10b) also includes an integral handle (7).

FIG. 5 shows the resilient ball (5) prior to being fitted through the hole (14) in the centre of the rim (4). There is a bulbous portion (16) at the base, a neck (18) and expanded top portion (17) providing the seat portion. The expanded top portion (17) can be made of thickened material to flatten the inflated top portion (17) and make it more suitable for a seat (10a and 10b). Preferably the rim (4) comprises an integrally moulded spigot which is inserted into the beam (1).

The apparatus includes a handle bar (6) for support for each user. The handle bars (6) are similar to those which are known for conventional bicycles. The base of the handle bars (6) is attached to the beam (1). The handle bars can include moulded handgrips (13). This is shown in FIG. 2.

The beam (1) of FIG. 1 is shown is more detail in FIG. 7. The beam (1) has a plurality pairs of opposed mounting holes (12) along its length. The beam (1) can be attached to the mount (2) at any of the mounting holes (12).

FIG. 6 shows this arrangement in more detail. The mount comprises a yoke (11) on which the beam is pivotally mounted. A pin (15), or any other appropriate means, extends through the yoke (11) and a pair of opposing mounting holes (12) in the beam (1), thus attaching the beam (1) pivotally to the mount (2) for up and down motion.

The yoke (11) is provided on a tubular mounting column (19) which extends vertically through a pair of bearing bushes (3). FIGS. 3a-3c show the bearing bush (3) in more detail. Each bearing bush (3) has a central tube (26) with a central aperture (20) and three equiangular surrounding smaller tubes (27) with tubular apertures (21), through which the respective leg portions (8), which form a base for the mount (2), fits. The respective leg portions (8) are attached to each bearing bush (3) in an appropriate manner. FIG. 8 shows the tubular mounting column (19) in more detail including the yoke (11) and opposing mounting holes (12).

The bearing bush (3) allows rotational movement of the yoke (11) and tubular mounting column (19) and hence the beam (1). A bearing disc (24) in the form of a cylindrical collar is moulded, bolted or otherwise affixed to the tubular mounting column (19) and this provides the main bearing surface. The bearing disc (24) is preferably moulded from nylon 6.6. In addition, there is a bearing cap (25) that is a push fit over the bearing bush (3) and the leg portions (8). The bearing cap (25) caps the leg portions (8) and shields the tube (26) and provides a smooth area for a lower annular bearing surface of the bearing disc (24) to rotate on. The bearing cap (25) is preferably made from the plastic HPDE, which is self lubricating against the nylon 6.6 of the bearing disc (24).

The lower part of the respective leg portions (8) are bent substantially perpendicularly to the upper part of the respective leg portions (8). Hence each leg (8) comprises, in addition to a substantially vertical portion (28), a horizontal portion (29) including a generally radially extending inner length and, extending generally perpendicular thereto, a generally circumferentially extending outer length (30). The leg portions (8) can be secured to the ground with stakes (9). The leg portions (8) each have a moulded foot (22), which caps the end of the leg portions (8) and also increases the area of the apparatus that meets the ground. The moulded feet (22) further comprises self adhesive pads (23) on the underside to increase stability particularly on smooth floors. Preferably the self adhesive pads are made from foam. In addition this facilitates indoor use without the risk of marking the floors.

According to the invention the recreational apparatus of FIG. 1 is operable for rotational and up and down motion by the weight of a person at each end acting as a counter-balance.

Users can cause rotational motion themselves by pushing with part of their body. Likewise, an additional person may use the integral handle (7) in order to apply pressure to cause rotational motion and/or additional assistance with up and down motion. As the seat (10a and 10b) contacts the ground the resilient ball (5) absorbs the impact compressing, and when the seat (10a and 10b) moves off the ground the ball (5) re-expands.

If the participants are of unequal weights then the position at which the beam (1) is attached to the mount (2) can be adjusted to account for the unequal weight. The pin (15) used to attach the mount (2) to the beam (1) is easily removed and can be used to attach the mount (2) to the beam (1) at a different position in either direction, where there is a mounting hole (12) in the beam (1), down the length of the beam (1).

The beam (1), leg portion (8), yoke (11) and tubular mounting column (19), which form part of the mount (2) are preferably made from metal such as aluminium or steel.

The bearing bushes (3) can be made of injection moulded material and/or hard plastic.

The rim (4) of the seats (10a and 10b) can be made of hard plastic and the ball (5) can be made of injection moulded material that is inflatable. The uppermost part of the seat may optionally bear a logo or motif.

However it will be appreciated that any of the components can be made from any suitable material.

The present invention is easy to adjust to account for children of varying weights. It is therefore possible for a heavier child to play with a lighter child and subsequently the see saw can be easily adjusted for two lighter children to play on the see saw, or any weight combination of child.

The present invention provides a seat (10a and 10b) that has a number of advantages. There is ease of manufacturing as the seat (10a and 10b) is made up of two parts only. This ball (5) provides the surface which hits the ground and the actual seating surface. This maximises the bounce that is experienced by the children and contributes to the entertainment. In addition, the seat (10a and 10b) may be made of injection moulded material, allowing the seats (10a and 10b) to with stand outdoor conditions for considerable lengths of time. When the rim (4) comprises an integrally moulded spigot inserted into the beam (1), a particularly strong connection is created between the seat (10a and 10b) and the beam (1).

The arrangement of the leg portions (8) such that the lower part is perpendicular to the upper part (28) and includes generally perpendicular inner (29) and outer parts (30) results in a very stable apparatus and enables the apparatus to be used without stakes and therefore indoors. In addition, the moulded feet (22) at the distal end of the outer part increase the stability of the apparatus and the moulding allows the feet (22) to flex slightly to assist stability on uneven ground. The self adhesive pads (23) on the underside of the feet (22) stop the apparatus slipping on floors particularly smooth floor finishes such as polished wooden floors.

The integral handle (7) on the seat (10a and 10b) facilitates another child or adult assisting the movement of the apparatus.

It is envisaged that the apparatus could consist of more than two seats (10a and 10b), such that any number of seats (10a and 10b) could be arranged to counter-balance each other. It is also possible for there to be more than one beam (1) arranged on the mount (2).

The mount (2) may be attached to the beam (1) by any suitable means. Examples of a mount include, but are not limited to, a clasp, catch, grip, clench, vice, screw, axle, hinge, swivel or shaft.

The mount may comprise any form of strengthening in place of the bearing bushes (3) and equally may comprise no strengthening.

The invention is to be understood as including any combination of components as described herein. For example, two seats (10a and 10b) consisting of a rim (4) and resilient ball (5), a beam (1) attached to a mount (2) by a catch. A further example is an apparatus consisting of four seats (10a and 10b) and one beam (1) attached to a mount (2) by a catch further comprising handle bars (6).

Claims

1. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion, comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon, for said up and down and rotational motion, wherein the beam comprises first and second seats at substantially opposing sides of the mount and an impact absorption member associated with each seat.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the impact absorption member is a resilient ball.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the ball fits through a rim in the seat.

4. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion, comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon, for said up and down and rotational motion, wherein the beam is capable of being located on the mount at different positions along the length of the beam.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which the beam comprises first and second seats at substantially opposing sides of the mount and an impact absorption member located with each seat.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the mount is capable of being attached to the ground.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein the seat further comprises an integral handle.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and claims 5-7, further comprising a handle bar between the seat and the mount.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6-8, wherein the beam is capable of being located on the mount at different positions along the length of the beam.

10. A recreational apparatus providing up and down motion comprising a mount and a beam mounted thereon for said up and down motion, wherein the beam comprises a seat remote from the mount comprising a rim and a resilient ball associated therewith in which at least part of the ball projects through a rim in the seat.

11. A recreational apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus further provides rotational motion.

12. A recreational apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the beam comprises first and second seats at substantially opposing sides of the mount.

13. A recreational apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-9 and 12, wherein the first and second seats are at respective ends of said beam.

14. A recreational apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mount comprises at least one leg portion.

15. A recreational apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the leg portion comprises a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion, the horizontal portion comprising a generally radially extending inner length and, extending generally perpendicular thereto, a generally circumferentially extending outer length.

16. A recreational apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.