Patent Application
20200338460
The present invention is in the field of swing accessories, particularly swing attachments.
A variety of different swing apparatus devices have been described in the prior art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,568 by inventor Dale Glaze, entitled Title of Design: Method And Apparatus For Supporting A Child In A Swing, registered Nov. 23, 2010, the abstract describes, “A back support device utilizes a removable fabric support strap attached to chain attachment assemblies for connection to the support chains of a swing, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The chain attachment assemblies are attached to chain elements of the support chains so that the support strap of the device is positioned in the underarm area of an adult. The support strap has a width sufficient for supporting the back and underarms of an adult comfortably. A removable sleeve, slidable over the chain attachment assemblies and support strap of the device provides a means to quickly and easily clean and restore the device.”
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,357 to inventor Robert Aarmodt, entitled Beltseat Swing Safety Attachment Device And Method For Using Same, issued Sep. 15, 2015, the abstract describes a belt seat Swing attachment device and methods for using the device to enable young children to safely utilize a belt seat swing, such as those commonly found at public playgrounds or parks, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The device includes a seating portion and an attachment portion. The seating portion includes a torso band that is configured to surround a belt seat and a cradle band that hangs freely from the torso band in a U-shaped configuration. The attachment portion includes attachment straps comprising hook and loop fasteners that are configured to removably attach to a belt seat swing so that the device can be secured to the swing.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,746 entitled Swing Covering Accessory, by inventor Felicia D. Johnson registered Aug. 25, 2009, the abstract briefly explains a swing covering accessory, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The accessory is used to cover an outdoor infant/toddler swing and is designed to be placed into the swing and around the outside of it, providing both entertainment and sanitary purposes for infants and toddlers using the swing. The accessory is sized and shaped to wrap completely around a swing seat and also has separate pieces that are designed to cover the rods at the top of the swing seat and the pair of handles that are within reach of an infant or toddler using the swing seat. The swing covering accessory also has at least one external pocket for holding infant/toddler toys such as a rattler, a teether, squeak toy, or similar items.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,201, inventor Ginelle Mills provides the Multi-use Protective Cover registered on Feb. 26, 2013, of which the abstract briefly explains a safety device for children, specifically a cover for use with a variety of surfaces that provides a barrier to protect a child from the heat and/or contamination of a surface, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the device can prevent a child from being burned or uncomfortable by the heat of a swing seat or car seat by minimizing thermal transfer between a child's skin and the swing seat for an adequate amount of time. In some embodiments, the cover can be used in a planar configuration as a changing pad or play mat.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,682,325, inventor Stephanie Ann Dufault Rindfleisch invented the Clip-on Attachment That Provides Back Support for Children When on a Swing That Does Not Have Back Support that was registered on Jun. 20, 2017. The abstract briefly provides an attachment that provides back support for a child on a swing, where the swing does not already have a back support, is disclosed, as well as a method of using the same.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,535, inventor Peter A. Marmentini invented the Portable Playground Swing Seat that was registered on Feb. 13, 2007. The abstract briefly explains A portable playground swing seat is configured to interface with a playground swing and that includes an open-topped, rigid, cup shaped bucket having a width compatible to a playground swing seat. The bucket is substantially oval in shape, having a raised back with a hand hole therethrough for manual portability. A removable soft fabric liner interfaces the inner surface of the bucket to provide a supple and comfortable environment for a toddler when sitting within the portable swing seat. A five-point harness, which is adjustably affixed onto the bucket, is sized in length and contour to fit over the toddler's shoulders, chest and legs. Two rigid foldable attachment arms are rotatably affixed onto the bucket for attachment to each playground swing chain. A swing seat strap is firmly affixed onto the bottom of the bucket, and is sized in length to circumvent the lower portion of a playground swing seat for securing the swing seat to the swing along with the swing chain attachment arms.
In patent publication number US 2003/0040372 A1, inventor Eddie McNutt invented the Child Safety Restraint System for Swing Sets that was registered on Feb. 27, 2003. The abstract briefly explains a Safety System for restraining a child in a conventional swing Set comprising a belt for Secure placement around the upper torso of a child, with Safety Snap hooks attached to the belt for Securely engaging the vertical Support elements of the Swing Set. The Safety Snap hooks are attached to the belt by means of D-rings through which the belt passes. The D-rings are fixed at Such a location as to position the Safety Snap hooks adjacent to the vertical Support members of the Swing Set. Further, Such D-rings are fixed at Such a spacing as to prevent fastening the belt at a diameter Smaller than a child's head to prevent entrapment about the neck or head. The Safety Snap hooks are connected to the D-rings by one or more chain or S-links, or short flexible elements. The Safety Snap hooks are of the type that have a Self-positioning member at the hook opening that will not allow the hook to become disengaged from the vertical Support elements of the Swing Set unless intentionally activated manually. The Safety Snap hooks are constructed in Shape and Size So they can be hooked into chain links of the Vertical Support elements of the Swing Set or fastened over the outside of chain link so as not to be movable to an adjacent chain link unless intentionally manually disengaged. The ability to be fastened over the outside of a chain link allows the Safety Snap hook to accommodate chain with plastic sheathing or other coverings. The Safety hooks will also work on Swing Sets with vertical Support members of rope or other flexible material by tying a knot at the appropriate location and attaching the Safety hook just above the knot.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,934, inventor Rene M. Miller invented the Child Safety Swing for Playground Swing that was registered on Jul. 9, 1996. The abstract briefly explains a child safety device is shown and described for converting a belt seat playground swing into a child seat safety swing. The device includes an attachment mechanism for securing the device to the chains of a belt seat playground swing and includes a waist strap for encircling the child's body to prevent the small child from tipping forward or backward from the belt seat swing. Additional structures include under straps and crotch straps and mesh netting all securely stitched together to complete a child receiving cavity. The child's weight bears upon the belt seat of the swing, and the safety device secures the child in such position upon the belt seat swing. The device is compact and portable and may be carried along with other child related paraphernalia.
In United States patent publication number US2017/0225085A1, inventor Sarah Elizabeth Najar invented the Swing Attachment Apparatus that was registered on Aug. 10, 2017. The abstract briefly explains a swing attachment apparatus for holding a child's toy on a swing includes a seat base that has a lower portion configured to rest on a swing seat and an upper portion configured to support a child's toy. A seat back may be provided that adjustably engages with the seat base to support a rear portion of the child's toy. A first strap is attached to the seat base and is configured to wrap around the swing seat to secure the seat base to the swing. A second strap is attached to the seat base and is configured to extend over the child's toy to secure the child's toy between the second strap and the seat base.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,613, inventor Christine Marie Ostrander invented the Multi-Purpose Child Safety Harness that was registered on Aug. 1, 2000. The abstract briefly explains that this multi-purpose child safety harness is wearable and is used to Support, hold, restrain, and protect a child during a variety of the child's activities. In
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,802, inventor Dennis Eugene Shives invented the Wing Swing Seat and Swing Device that was registered on Apr. 28, 1998. The abstract briefly explains A winged swing seat and swing combination device for any playground or yard swing. The swing seat device has two simulated wings extending from opposite sides of the seat. Each wing is equipped with attachment device for attaching a rope or chain for suspending the winged swing seat device. The swing seat device can be suspended from a horizontal tree limb or a beam. The swing seat device can be operated as a traditional swing with the operator sitting in the seat or as a belly swing with the operator placing one's abdomen on the seat of the swing.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,965, inventor Lora Mullins invented the Child Swing Harness that was registered on Nov. 24, 1998. The abstract briefly explains the present invention is an apparatus for converting a conventional swing into a toddler swing by providing a child swing harness that can be quickly and easily placed around a child and attached to a conventional swing. The child swing harness of the present invention comprises a waist strap, two shoulder straps, an optional swing stabilizer, two top stabilizers, and two optional waist stabilizers. The waist strap and two shoulder straps provide a harness for a small child. The swing stabilizer runs under the swing seat from the front of the waist strap to the back of the waist strap, thereby holding the child on a swing seat. The waist stabilizers and top stabilizers connect the child swing harness of the present invention to the lines of the swing. These stabilizers prevent the child from falling forward or backward off of the swing seat.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,910, inventor Georgina Alexakis invented the Attachable Swing Shade that was registered on Jul. 28, 2009. The abstract briefly explains a readily assembled and removable shade for use with swings in which the user of the swing is afforded substantial protection from the sun, UV radiation, wind and rain is provided. The shade is configured to be used with many different types of swings.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,595, inventor Barbara D. Tolar invented the Swing Seat Adapter that was registered on May 10, 1983. The abstract briefly explains a child receiving structure including a pair of laterally spaced upstanding sides is provided. The sides include upstanding front and rear marginal portions and are interconnected by an upstanding transverse rear wall extending and connected there between. The child receiving structure is positionable on the elongated horizontal transverse seat of a swing suspended at its opposite ends from the lower ends of dependingly supported suspension members and coupling structure is removably operatively connected between the upper portion of the sides and adjacent portions of the suspension members spaced above the seat for preventing the seat from excessive forward or rearward tilting. Further, an occupant restraining harness is provided in the child receiving structure for releasably securing a child therein.
In French patent number FR2887845A1, inventor Oliver Gnofam describes the Child-Carrying Seat for Bicycle With Inflatable Cage and Anti-Ejection Belt with Inflated Central Portion to Protect Occupant registered on Jun. 30, 2005. The abstract briefly explains the seat, consisting of a shell, has a protective cover in the form of an inflated cage that goes over the seat occupant, with an anti-ejection belt across the front that has an inflatable portion in the middle to prevent it pressing into the child's body. The cage also includes inflatable leg protector with straps. Thus, as can be seen from the prior art references, a wide variety of different swing seat modifications have been made for improving swing seats.
A swing attachment comprising a right suspension line and a left suspension line. A right swing seat connector and a left swing seat connector. The right swing seat connector is connected to the right suspension line, and the left swing seat connector is connected to the left suspension line. The right swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat. The left swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat. The right suspension line and the left suspension line suspend the swing seat. A left sleeve is mounted to the left suspension line, and the right sleeve is mounted to the right suspension line. The left sleeve is mounted above the left swing seat connector. The right sleeve is mounted above the right swing seat connector.
A middle extension is inflatable and is connected to the right suspension line at the right sleeve and connected to the left suspension line at the left sleeve. The middle extension is connected to the right sleeve and a left sleeve, and further includes a valve for inflating the middle extension.
A swing seat extension extends rearwardly from the swing seat. The rear extension extends rearwardly from the middle extension, and the rear extension is inflatable. The right extension is formed with a right wing tip and the left extension is formed with a left wing tip. The middle extension includes a torso, a neck extending from the torso, and a head extending from the neck. A snout extends from the head. The torso, neck, head and snout are inflatable. The middle extension includes a left ear and a right ear extending from the middle extension. The left ear is inflatable, and the right ear is inflatable. The right extension extends right from the middle extension, and the left extension extends left from the middle extension.
The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the element numbers of the drawings.
As seen in
The middle extension 15 can include a neck 23 and a torso 22. The middle extension extends between the left sleeve 12 and the right sleeve 11. The middle extension preferably includes a head 24 with a snout 27 and a pair of ears, namely a right ear 25 and a left ear 26. The middle extension also preferably has a neck 23 extending forwardly from the left sleeve 12 and the right sleeve 11. The head 24 is mounted to the neck 23 and the middle extension 15 is inflatable. Similarly, the right extension 13 and the left extension 14 are also inflatable. The inflatable swing attachment 10 may have a plurality of inflatable chambers that are interconnected to each other for a single inflation. Alternatively, the middle extension 15 and the side extensions, namely the left extension and the right extension can be separate inflatable chambers.
The swing seat 33 can have a swing seat extension 36 extending rearwardly from the swing seat 33. The left suspension line 32 connects to the left swing seat connector 35, and the right suspension line 31 connects to the right swing seat connector 34. The inflatable swing attachment 10 has a valve 28 which is an air valve for receiving pressurizing air. The valve 28 can extend from an underside of the inflatable swing attachment 10. The right sleeve 11 and the left sleeve 12 can have an external grip surface to allow a swing user to grasp the right sleeve 11 and the left sleeve 12. The left sleeve and the right sleeve can be formed as loops and need not be continuous. The sleeves can be made of a plastic sheet, or fabric.
As seen in
Instead of filling up with air, the inflatable valve can receive expanding foam so that the inflatable swing attachment 10 is a combination of foam and air filled. Inflating with expanding or non-expanding foam may provide a more durable construction. End users can be provided with expanding foam injection canisters, or the foam injection can be done at the factory before shipping. Air inflation is preferred over foam inflation due to the reversible nature of air inflation. The air can be released from the valve 28 for storage of the inflatable swing attachment 10 for example.
