Abstract:
A double occupancy swing provides for two (2) infant seats arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The seats are attached to a swing mechanism and comprise features allowing each seat to be reclined or rotated side-to-side allowing the infants to face each other. The top portion of the infant swing is provided with means to hold an electronic device which provides visual and/or audio effects such as nursery rhymes, pictures, and music to help keep the child entertained.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an infant swing, and more specifically, an infant swing having means to enable up to two (2) infants to utilize, as well as having entertaining features thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described herein pertains to an infant swing, and more specifically to an infant swing having two (2) separately articulable infant seats. When children become agitated, the rocking motion of a swing often helps to pacify them. Distracting a child while rocking them can be an even more effective way to calm them down and lull them to sleep. However, the task of calming a child and putting them to sleep is exponentially more difficult when there are two children who are both upset. While individual swings are effective for one child, they are impractical for multiple children. 
     There have been various attempts to address the difficulty observed in pacifying multiple children at one time. One (1) attempt can be seen in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0165953 to Cesar Solis which describes two (2) infant seats coupled together and jointly supported by first and second rotating hubs. Although this device provides for the support of multiple children at a single time, the construction prevents independent articulation for each seat. This prevents rotation of the child seats as well as a space to prevent one child from disrupting the other with movement. Additionally, the construction of this device prevents the use of any toys or distractions placed above the child&#39;s head. 
     Another attempt to address the difficulty in pacifying a child is seen in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0026536 to Michael D. Armbruster. The application describes a child&#39;s swing having a fake fish tank supported above the child while they swing. The fish tank provides a distraction to help calm the child while the rocking motion of the swing puts them to sleep. The fake fish tank is not capable of being angled, or of rotating with the child seats as they swing. Additionally, the application discloses a single child seat, which is not capable of supporting multiple children at one time. 
     Although the various devices observed may fulfill their individual, particular objectives, each device suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or function. Whether taken singly, or in combination, none of the observed devices disclose the specific arrangement and construction of the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the deficiencies in the art pertaining to child swings for multiple children. Furthermore, the inventor has observed that there is a need for a child swing having multiple, separately adjustable seats with various distraction means disposed thereon. 
     The inventor has addressed at least one (1) of the problems observed in the art by developing a novel multiple-child swing. It is a feature and aspect of the present invention to provide a dual occupancy infant swing capable of holding two (2) infants at once. There are two (2) rotating swings coupled to a seat assembly appendage via a rotary coupler. Each seat assembly has a seat cushion and an adjustable seat back. The rotary coupler is affixed to a main shaft which is supported by an “A”-frame style support frame held at a particular angle by a snapping attachment. 
     It is another aspect of the invention to provide a motorized rocking assembly. The motorized rocking assembly is disposed within a motor enclosure and rotates the main shaft through the interaction of a coupling housing and a coupling torsion spring. The motorized rocking assembly is battery powered and employs a speed controller to govern the rocking speed of the swings. 
     It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide amusement means secured to the double occupancy infant swing. Integral with the main shaft is a device support frame having pivoting joints securing a device holder thereto. The device holder supports an electronic display assembly in a plurality of angled positions. Additionally integrated within the device support frame is a plurality of speakers which play music from the electronic display assembly through an interface cable. On either side of the device support frame is a decorative display panel. Furthermore, a mobile assembly is detachably secured to a leg of the support frame, providing yet another amusement means. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a double occupancy infant swing  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another front perspective view of the double occupancy infant swing  10  depicting a rotated seat assembly  100   a , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the double occupancy infant swing  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a motorized rocking assembly portion  60  of the double occupancy infant swing  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the motorized rocking assembly  60  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 4 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of shaft support enclosure  68  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of a rotary coupler  108  taken along section line C-C (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of a tilt adjuster  116  taken along section line D-D (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a section view of an electronic display assembly  120  taken along section line E-E (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10   a  is an electrical block diagram of the motorized rocking assembly  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 10   b  is an electrical block diagram of the audio speaker portion  128  of the double occupancy infant swing  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  double occupancy infant swing 
               20  support frame 
               22   a  right front leg 
               22   b  right rear leg 
               22   c  left front leg 
               22   d  left rear leg 
               24  connecting bar 
               26  foot 
               28  brace 
               30  brace clamp 
               40  stationary display assembly 
               42  stationary display frame 
               44  display panel 
               60  motorized rocking assembly 
               62  motor enclosure 
               63  slot 
               64  speed control knob 
               65  speed indicia 
               66  main shaft 
               67  seat assembly appendage 
               68  shaft support enclosure 
               69   a  first leg stop 
               69   b  second leg stop 
               70  coupling housing 
               71  coupling torsion spring 
               72  motor 
               73  pivot arm 
               74  output shaft 
               75  pivot arm slot 
               76  first worm gear 
               77  second worm gear 
               78  offset pin 
               80  speed controller 
               83  battery pack 
               84  battery 
               86  wiring 
               88  cover 
               89  hinge 
               90  latch 
               100   a  first seat assembly 
               100   b  second seat assembly 
               102  seat back 
               104  seat cushion 
               106  support member 
               108  rotary coupler 
               110  tightening knob 
               112  safety strap 
               114  safety bar 
               116  tilt adjuster 
               117  locking pin 
               118  detent 
               119  main shaft 
               120  electronic display assembly 
               122  device support frame 
               124  device holder 
               126  pivoting joint 
               128  speaker 
               130  interface cable 
               150  mobile assembly 
               152  mobile arm 
               154  mobile clamp 
               156  mobile object 
               200  fastener 
               205  electronic device 
               210  floor surface 
               215  infant 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 10   b . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a double occupancy infant swing (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for an infant swing capable of holding two (2) infants  215  at once. In addition to a conventional rocking motion, the apparatus  10  further comprises additional features to amuse and entertain the infants  215  including a means to position an electronic display  205  which in turn provides visual and audio entertainment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , front and side perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a support frame  20 , a motorized rocking assembly  60 , and a pair of seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b , and is envisioned to be made using rugged plastic, and metal materials being molded or coated in various decorative and attractive colors and patterns, as well as decorative fabric materials for the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b.    
     The apparatus  10  comprises a modular “A”-frame style support frame  20  further comprising a right front leg  22   a , a right rear leg  22   b , eight left front leg  22   c , a left rear leg  22   d , a pair of connecting bars  24 , four (4) feet  26 , and a pair of leg securing braces  28 . The support frame  20  comprises hollow plastic or metal tubular right legs  22   a ,  22   b  and left legs  22   c ,  22   d  to form respective “A”-frame structures being held at a particular relative angle by snapping attachment of the plastic braces  28 , and fastened at upper end portions to the motor enclosure  62  and shaft support enclosure  68  portions. Said horizontal braces  28  are removably attached at an intermediate height, extending horizontally between the pairs of right  22   a ,  22   b  and left  22   c ,  22   d  leg portions. Each brace  28  comprises a pair of open-sided cylindrical brace clamp portions  30 , each being integrated into opposing end portions. Said brace clamps  30  comprise flexible plastic members capable of being securely mounted to the round tubular leg portions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  by being forced over and around said leg portions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d . The upper end portions of the left legs  22   c ,  22   d  are supported via attachment within the motor enclosure  62  and upper end portions of the right legs  22   a ,  22   b  are supported via attachment within the shaft support enclosure  68 . Bottom end portions of each leg portion  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  are removably inserted into respective plastic or rubber feet  26  in a post and socket manner. Said feet  26  comprise high-friction plastic or rubber cone-shaped members having flat bottom surfaces allowing the apparatus  10  to be placed upon a floor surface  210  in a stable manner. The feet  26  further comprise additional features along side surfaces which allow insertion of the connecting bar portions  24  which join and extend between the right  22   a  and left  22   c  front legs, and between the right  22   b  and left  22   d  rear legs, thereby providing a stable structure onto which the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  may be supported. 
     The apparatus  10  comprises a first infant seat assembly  100   a  and a second infant seat assembly  100   b  being arranged in a side-by-side configuration and supported by respective seat assembly appendage portions  67  of the motorized rocking assembly  60  which in turn provides a normal forward and backward rocking motion to said seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  (see  FIGS. 4 through 6 ). The seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  comprise padded and fabric covered textile assemblies having expected features commonly associated with infant restraining devices such as, but not limited to: a padded seat back  102 , a padded seat cushion  104 , waistline fastening safety straps  112 , and a semi-rigid safety bar  114 . 
     The aforementioned appendage portions  67  provide an attachment means between the motorized rocking assembly  60  and each seat assembly  100   a ,  100   b  via an assembly comprising a pair of downwardly extending support members  106 , a rotary coupler  108 , and a tilt adjuster  116 . Each appendage portion  67  extends downwardly and terminates with an integral rotary coupler portion  108  which provides rotation of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  in either right or left directions (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     The aforementioned motorized rocking assembly  60  comprises an integral electronic display assembly  120  located at a top center position. The electronic display assembly  120  further comprises a “U”-shaped device support frame  122  rotatingly attached to a three-sided electronic device holder portion  124  which holds and provides viewing of an electronic device  205  such as an IPAD®, or the like. In use, the device holder  124  is rotatingly attached to the device support frame  122  allowing the electronic device  205  to be inserted into the open side portion of the device holder  124  and be tilted to a desired orientation for viewing by the infants  215  (also see  FIG. 9 ). As a result of the coincidental rigid attachment of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  and the electronic display assembly  120  to the motorized rocking assembly  60 , the electronic device  205  and the occupying infants  215  rock back and forth in a synchronized manner, thereby avoiding possible motion sickness on the part of the infants  215 . It is further envisioned that the electronic device  205  provide various pre-loaded software applications specifically designed to entertaining infants  215  by providing a variety of combined visual and audio effects such as, but not limited to: lullabies, flashing lights, animal sounds, various slideshows, and the like, to entertain and sooth the infants  215 . The electronic display assembly  120  further comprises a pair of integral speakers  128  along a front surface, and an interface cable  130  which provides standard electronic connection between said speakers  128  and an audio port portion of the electronic device  205 . 
     The apparatus  10  further comprises a stationary display assembly  40  being attached and supported at left and right end portions in a stationary manner to respective motor enclosure  62  and main shaft support  68  portions of the motorized rocking assembly  60  (see  FIG. 5 ). The stationary display assembly  40  further comprises a pair of decoratively shaped display frames  42  envisioned to be positioned on either side of the electronic display assembly  120 ; however, it is understood that said stationary display frames  42  and electronic display assembly  120  may be introduced having various sizes, positions, and arrangements along a top portion of the apparatus  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . The display panel portions  44  of the stationary display assembly  40  are envisioned to provide attractive theme-orientated displays such as, but not limited to: nursery rhyme scenes, animal pictures, bright colors, and the like. 
     The apparatus  10  comprises a removably attachable accessory mobile assembly  150  being attachable to the leg portions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  in a similar manner as the previously described braces  28  via a pair of open-sided cylindrically-shaped mobile clamps  154  being integrated into end portions of an extending mobile arm portion  152 . The mobile arm  152  further comprises a plurality of suspended mobile objects  156  in a conventional manner depicting various shapes designed to entertain the infants  215  such as animals, geometric shapes, and the like, envisioned to be molded in bright colors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , perspective and section views of the motorized rocking assembly portion  60  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The motorized rocking assembly  60  provides a battery-powered means to motion the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  in a front-to-back reciprocating manner. The motorized rocking assembly  60  comprises a motor enclosure  62  comprising an output shaft  74  being in mechanical communication with a main shaft  66  which in turn provides motioning of the seat assembly appendages  67 , the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b , and the electronic display assembly  120 . The motor enclosure  62  comprises a rectangular electrical box structure having an access cover  88  attached using a pair of hinges  89  and comprising a securing latch  90 . The motor enclosure  62  provides internal mounting of various electrical and mechanical components necessary to produce a reciprocating torsion upon the output shaft  74  and the main shaft  66 . The motor enclosure  62  contains a speed controller  80  having a speed control knob  64 , a battery-powered motor  72 , a reciprocating pivot arm  73 , and a battery pack  83 . The pivot arm  73  further comprises an integral output shaft  74  and a pivot arm slot  75 . The pivot arm slot  75  is acted upon by matching first worm gear  76  and a second worm gear  77  portions. The second worm gear  77  comprises an offset pin  78  which engages the pivot arm slot  75 . Upon activation, the motor  72  rotates the first worm gear  76  which in turn rotates the second worm gear  77 , thereby rotating the integral offset pin  78  within the pivot arm slot  75  to produce reciprocating rotation of the pivot arm  73  and the extending output shaft  74  of approximately thirty (30°) degrees. Controlled DC power is provided to the motor  72  by the battery pack  83 , the rheostatic speed controller  80 , and interconnecting wiring  86 . The battery pack  83  is envisioned to secure a plurality of rechargeable or disposable batteries  84 . The rheostatic speed controller  80  further comprises a speed control knob  64  which extends outwardly through the cover portion  88  of the motor enclosure  62  to enable manual adjustment of the rocking speed. The speed control knob  64  is envisioned to work with graduated speed indicia  65  which are printed upon an exterior surface of the cover  88 . The speed indicia  65  are envisioned to include progressive speed numbers and an “OFF” position (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The extending output shaft portion  74  protrudes outwardly through a side surface of the motor enclosure  62  being rotatingly inserted into a proximal end portion of the main shaft  66  being aligned along a common axis. The output shaft  74  and main shaft  66  are compliantly coupled together via mutual engagement of a coupling torsion spring  71  positioned within a cylindrical coupling housing  70  which is mounted to a rear surface of the motor enclosure  62 . The coupling torsion spring  71  provides a safety feature by enabling independent rotation of the main shaft  66  with regards to the output shaft  74 , thereby allowing the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  to be stopped immediately when desired, or when contacted by an obstruction. 
     A distal end portion of the main shaft  66  is rotatingly supported within a shaft support enclosure  68  which acts as a bearing means to secure the position of the main shaft  66  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a section view of shaft support enclosure  68  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A distal end portion of the main shaft  66  is rotatingly supported within a shaft support enclosure  68  which acts as a bearing means to secure the position of the main shaft  66 . The shaft support enclosure  68  is envisioned to be similar in appearance as the previously described motor enclosure  62 . The shaft support enclosure  68  further comprises an integrally-molded second leg stop feature  69   b  being located between the right legs  22   a ,  22   b  which provides a triangularly-shaped protrusion which limits outward rotation of said right legs  22   a ,  22   b . Furthermore, said second leg stop  69   b  comprises a center aperture portion capable of receiving an end portion of the main shaft  66 , thereby acting as a centering and supporting means. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a section view of a rotary coupler  108  taken along section line C-C (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Each appendage portion  67  extends downwardly and terminates with an integral rotary coupler portion  108  which provides entrapment of a “T”-shaped joint portion. The rotary coupler  108  also entraps a “T”-shaped end portion of each support member  106 , thereby allowing the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  to be turned ninety degrees) (90° in either a right or left direction, thereby providing independent directional positioning of each seat assembly  100   a ,  100   b  and the occupying infants  215 . The rotary coupler  108  further comprises a threaded tightening knob  110  along a side surface to secure the support members  106  and the respective attached seat assembly  100   a ,  100   b  at a desired orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a section view of a tilt adjuster  116  taken along section line D-D (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Bottom end portions of each pair of support members  106  are permanently attached to the seat cushion  104  and to the tilt adjuster  116  which is located at opposing side surfaces of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b . The tilt adjuster  116  comprises an axial device further comprising a main shaft portion  119  being rigidly attached and spanning a rearward edge of the seat cushion  104  using a plurality of fasteners  200 . The tilt adjuster  116  provides axial adjustment of the seat back portion  102  to a desired reclined angle in an incremental “click-click” manner. The position of the seat back  102  is retained via engagement of a locking pin portion  117  being integrated into a lower portion of one (1) of the support members  106 , with one (1) of a plurality of equally-spaced detent portions  118  formed within a rotating surface of the seat back portion  102  positioned along a side surface. The locking pin  117  is envisioned to comprise a standard round-nose spring pin device or equivalent engaging spring-loaded device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a section view of an electronic display assembly  120  taken along section line E-E (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The electronic display assembly  120  comprises a “U”-shaped device support frame  122  having two (2) parallel upwardly extending members which provide rotating attachment of a three-sided device holder  124 . The device holder  124  comprises a pair of pivoting joints  126  which provide rotating attachment to the device support frame  122  via integrally-molded post-and-socket-type mechanisms allowing the device holder  124  to be selectively rotated via a friction fit (also see  FIG. 1 ). The pivoting joints  126  rotate about a common axis and are arranged along opposing side portions of the device holder  124 . The device holder  124  further comprises a channel-shaped cross-section being particularly sized so as to snuggly receive outer edge portions of various popular electronic devices  205  such as, but not limited to: an IPAD®, NOOKCOLOR®, other sub laptop computer devices, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , electrical block diagrams of the motorized rocking assembly  60  and audio speaker  128  portions of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Direct current (DC) power is provided to the motor portion  72  of the motorized rocking assembly  60  via a simple circuit within the motor enclosure  62  comprising the motor  72 , a plurality of rechargeable or disposable DC batteries  84  within a battery pack  83 , and a rotary rheostatic switch  80  allowing an operator to control a frequency of the swinging motion of the output shaft  74  and attached seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b.    
     The speakers  108  are envisioned to comprise a pair of miniature low-voltage computer speakers being integrated into the structure of the electronic display assembly  120 . The speakers  108  receive and broadcast a pre-amplified sound signal from the electronic device  205  via connection of a standard USB or RCA-jack speaker cable  110 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired external color scheme; assembling the support frame  20  by spreading the right legs  22   a ,  22   b  and left legs  22   c ,  22   d  apart; securing said legs in the spread state by forcing the brace clamp portions  30  of each brace  28  over the legs  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  at an intermediate height; inserting the bottom end portions of each leg  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  into a respective foot portion  26 ; inserting end portions of the two (2) connecting bars  24  into receiving features of each foot  26 ; opening the cover portion  88  of the motor enclosure  62  using the latch  90 ; loading a fresh set of rechargeable or disposable batteries  84  into the battery pack  83 ; replacing the cover  88 ; securing at least one (1) infant  215  into a desired seat assembly  100   a ,  100   b  by utilizing respective safety strap  112  and safety bar  114  portions; adjusting a reclining angle of the seat back portions  102  of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  by adjusting and locking the tilt adjusters  116  using respective locking knobs  117 ; securing the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  in position by tightening the tightening knobs  110 ; activating the rocking motion of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  by rotating the speed control knob  64  from the “OFF” position to a desired speed as indicated by the speed indicia  65 ; allowing the apparatus  10  to entertain and/or soothe the occupying infants  215  for a desired period of time; returning the speed control knob  64  to the “OFF” position; removing one (1) or both infants  215  by unfastening the safety straps  112 ; lifting the infants  215  from the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b ; and, benefiting from the entertaining features and rocking motion of the apparatus  10  provided coincidently to two (2) infants  215  in a “hands-free” manner afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The device holder potion  124  of the apparatus  10  may be utilized by performing the following steps: inserting an electronic device  205  into the device holder  124 ; connecting the electronic device  205  to the speakers  128  by connecting the interface cable portion  130  of the electronic display assembly  120  to an appropriate output port portion of the electronic device  205 ; initiating the entertaining video and audio effects provided by the electronic device  205  by selecting and activating preloaded software applications within the electronic device  205 ; and, tilting the device holder  124  and contained electronic device  205  forward to obtain a desired viewing angle for the infants  215 . 
     The rotary capability of the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  may be utilized by performing the following steps: rotating the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  in a right or left direction, as desired, by loosening the tightening knob portions  110  of the rotary couplers  108 ; rotating the seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  up to ninety degrees (90°) to the left or to the right; and, securing said seat assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  in the rotated position by tightening the tightening knob portions  110 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.