Swing and swing packaging arrangement

A swing ride includes a plastic seat portion, a first plastic hand rest and foot rest portion configured to be coupled to a first end of the seat portion, and a second plastic hand rest and foot rest portion configured to be coupled to a second end of the seat portion. The swing ride in a disassembled state is configured to be received in a container having a volume of less than 5,760 cubic inches.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to children's playground equipment, and more particularly to swing rides for playground equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two-person swing rides are a favorite item for use with children's playstations. The swing rides are typically hung from a playstation on one or more link-type chains, ropes, or other suitable members, and allow two children to ride the swing together. Most two-person swing rides are currently made primarily from wood parts, metal parts, plastic parts, or a combination of wood, metal, and plastic parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Rides made of all plastic parts (with the exception of mounting and assembly hardware) are favored over rides made with wood or metal parts because the plastic parts are generally much lighter in weight. Additionally, plastic parts are more weather-resistant and require less maintenance, thereby prolonging the life of swing rides made from plastic. Molded plastic parts are also often more comfortable for the rider. However, the plastic parts are typically large and bulky, and require packaging in large boxes. The large boxes increase the packaging costs, shipping costs, and storage costs associated with the rides.

The present invention provides an improved two-person swing ride that provides all the advantages of an all-plastic ride, yet is designed such that the disassembled plastic parts can be tightly nested for a significant reduction in volume. Because the nested components of the ride occupy a smaller volume, smaller boxes can be used for packaging.

In one aspect, the invention provides a swing ride including a plastic seat portion, a first plastic hand rest and foot rest portion configured to be coupled to a first end of the seat portion, and a second plastic hand rest and foot rest portion configured to be coupled to a second end of the seat portion. The swing ride in a disassembled state is configured to be received in a container having a volume of less than 5,760 cubic inches. In one embodiment, the swing ride in a disassembled state is configured to be received in a container having a volume of about 3,200 cubic inches.

In another aspect, the invention provides a swing ride including a plastic seat portion and a first plastic hand rest and foot rest portion coupled to a first end of the plastic seat portion. The first plastic hand rest and foot rest portion includes a first plastic base member, a first plastic foot rest member coupled to the first plastic base member for receiving a first rider's feet, and a first plastic hand rest member coupled to the first plastic base member for receiving the first rider's hands. The swing ride also includes a second plastic hand rest and foot rest portion coupled to a second end of the plastic seat portion and including a second plastic base member, a second plastic foot rest member coupled to the second plastic base member for receiving a second rider's feet, and a second plastic hand rest member coupled to the second plastic base member for receiving the second rider's hands.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides the swing ride in a disassembled state. The components of the swing ride are arranged in nested relation with the first and second base members positioned on opposite sides of the seat portion, and the first and second foot rest members and the first and second hand rest members being positioned at least partially on the seat portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a playstation10of the type typically used by children for recreational play. The playstation10includes a plurality of legs14that support an elevated support structure or platform18above a lower support surface, such as the ground22. As shown, a slide26may be coupled to the playstation10to allow children to slide from the platform18down to the ground22. A climbing panel or ladder30is coupled to the playstation10to provide a way for children to climb from the ground22up to the platform18. Of course, other configurations of ladders, steps, or climbing panels can also be used.

A support member in the form of a beam34is coupled to one of the legs14and extends away from the platform18. In the illustrated embodiment, a first support leg38is coupled to the end of the beam34adjacent the platform18. Second and third support legs42,46, respectively, are coupled to the end of the beam34that is spaced from the platform18. The support legs38,42, and46can be coupled to the support beam34in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the support legs38,42, and46are connected to the support beam34using brackets of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,039,654 and 6,302,801 assigned to PlayStar, Inc. and hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown inFIG. 1, the support beam34supports a swing ride50configured to be ridden by two children. Additionally, while not shown, other rides and climbing features (e.g., rings, monkey bars, etc.) can also be coupled to the playstation10.

The swing50generally includes a plastic seat portion54and two plastic hand rest/foot rest portions58coupled to opposite ends of the seat portion54. The illustrated seat portion54and the components of the hand rest/foot rest portions58are molded from a suitable plastic using a conventional blow molding technique. Of course, other suitable molding techniques (e.g., rotational molding) can also be used.

The illustrated swing50is supported by four elongated support members in the form of chains62that are connected to the hand rest/foot rest portions58as shown. Quick link connectors66can be incorporated into the chains62to facilitate changing the swing50to another similar type of swing. Of course, ropes, cables, and other elongated support members can be substituted for the chains62as desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, the chains62are coupled to the support beam34via a mounting system in the form of two swing bracket assemblies70that are mounted to the support beam34. The mounting system is described in detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/016,170, filed Dec. 17, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 2-4illustrate the swing50in more detail. The seat portion54includes an upper surface74that includes two concavely-contoured seating portions76to comfortably support first and second swing riders78and82, as shown inFIG. 2. The seat portion54also includes oppositely facing side surfaces86. Each side surface86is contoured with two concave portions90(seeFIGS. 4 and 7) that facilitate packaging the disassembled swing50components, as will be described in greater detail below.

The seat portion54also includes first and second ends94,98, respectively. Each end94,98includes a generally cylindrical ball joint102configured to couple the seat portion54to other components of the swing50, as will be described below. Each ball joint102includes an aperture106(seeFIG. 4) for receiving a fastener110therethrough.

The two hand rest/foot rest portions58are substantially identical, with like reference numerals indicating like parts. Each hand rest/foot rest portion58includes a plastic arm or base member114having a central hub portion118and oppositely extending arm portions122and126. The hub portion118includes a recess130(seeFIG. 4) defining a socket configured to receive a respective ball joint102of the seat portion54and to pivotally connect the base member114to the seat portion54. The fastener110, along with a nut134and washers136, pivotally couple the base member114to the seat portion54.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the base member114includes a bend between the hub portion118and the arm portion126. The bend defines an angle α of between about five to fifteen degrees, and in the illustrated embodiment is about ten degrees. The bend makes the swing50more comfortable for the riders, and allows the user's feet and hands to be generally in line with the pivot point of the base member114, i.e., the fastener110. This alignment facilitates a smooth and comfortable “rhythmic” action of the hand rest/foot rest portions58by the users. Additionally, as will described in greater detail below, the bend formed in the base member114facilitates the packaging of the disassembled swing ride50.

Referring now toFIG. 3, at its widest point adjacent the hub portion118, the base member114has a width Wbof about 7.6 inches, and then narrows at the arm portions122and126. The height Hbof the base member114is about 24.7 inches. At its thickest point adjacent the recess130in the hub portion118, the base member114has a thickness of about 4.2 inches, and then narrows toward the arms portions122and126. By molding the base member114from resin, the above-described configuration for the base member114can be readily achieved.

Each hand rest/foot rest portion58further includes a plastic foot rest member138configured to be coupled to the arm122below the seat portion54for supporting the feet of the rider. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot rest members138are generally rectangular in shape and define two apertures142for receiving the feet of the riders78,82(seeFIG. 2). While the illustrated embodiment includes two apertures142per foot rest member138, a single, larger aperture could also be used. As shown inFIG. 4, each foot rest member138has a height Hfof about 7.0 inches and a width Wfof about 15.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot rest member138has a thickness of about 1.5 inches.

To facilitate the connection of the foot rest members138to the respective base members114, each foot rest member138includes a recess146(seeFIG. 4) configured to receive a mating projection150formed on the arm122of the base member114. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess146and projection150are generally rectangular in shape, and when engaged, substantially prevent rotation between the foot rest member138and the base member114. Of course, other shapes for the recess146and projection150could be substituted, and the projection150and recess146could be reversed so that the projection is formed on the foot rest member138and the recess is formed in the base member114. Additionally, two generally cylindrical projections154(seeFIG. 4) are formed within the recess146to be received in mating apertures158formed in the projection150. These features facilitate engaging and anti-rotating the foot rest member138with respect to the base member114. With this construction, a single fastener162, and the associated washers166and nut168, can be used to couple each foot rest member138to its respective base member114.

Each hand rest/foot rest portion58also includes a plastic hand rest member170configured to be coupled to the arm126above the seat portion54and to allow the rider to grasp the hand rest member170. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand rest members170are generally rectangular in shape and define two apertures174for receiving portions of the hands of the riders78,82(seeFIG. 2). While the illustrated embodiment includes two apertures174per foot hand member170, a single, larger aperture could also be used. As shown inFIG. 4, each hand rest member170has a height Hhof about 5.2 inches and a width Whof about 15.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand rest member170has a thickness of about 1.5 inches.

To facilitate the connection of the hand rest members170to the respective base members114, each hand rest member170includes a recess178(seeFIG. 4) configured to receive a mating projection182formed on the arm126of the base member114. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess178and projection182are generally square in shape. When engaged, these features substantially prevent rotation between the hand rest member170and the base member114. Of course, other shapes for the recess178and projection182could be substituted, and the projection182and recess178could be reversed so that the projection is formed on the hand rest member170and the recess is formed in the base member114. With this construction, a single fastener186, and the associated washers190and nut192, can be used to couple each hand rest member170to its respective base member114.

Each hand rest member170further includes integral tabs or ears194configured to be connected to the chains62. Unlike with some prior art swing rides in which the chains or support members are secured to the ride at a point well below the hand rests, the tabs194provide a wide mounting arrangement that improves the stability of the swing ride50. In the illustrated embodiment, the quick links66couple the chains62to the tabs194(seeFIG. 1).

The swing50includes seven plastic components—namely the seat portion54, two base members114, two foot rest members138, and two hand rest members170—that are interconnected by fasteners110,162, and186. With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the assembled swing has an overall height Haof at least about 25 inches, an overall length Laof at least about 36 inches, and an overall width Waof at least about 15 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembled swing has an overall height Haof about 25.7 inches, an overall length Laof about 36.4 inches, and an overall width Waof about 15.5 inches.

Prior art two-person swing rides having plastic seat portions and plastic hand rest/foot rest portions are known, and such rides have commonly been formed of only three plastic components, i.e., a plastic seat and two integrally-formed, plastic hand rest/foot rest portions. While such constructions require fewer steps to assemble than the swing50of the present invention, they include bulkier components that occupy a larger volume when disassembled, thereby requiring a larger container for packaging and shipping. Known prior art swing rides of this type have typically been packaged in boxes having volumes of 5,760 cubic inches or greater. The packaging, shipping, and storage costs of such prior art swings are therefore substantial.

The swing50of the present invention, while including more separate plastic components than prior art plastic swings, is designed to significantly reduce packaging, shipping, and storage costs by being configured to occupy a much smaller volume in a disassembled state. More specifically, the disassembled swing50of the present invention is configured to be received in a container having a volume of less than 5,760 cubic inches, and as will be described below, is configured to be received in a container having a volume as small as about 3,200 cubic inches. Notwithstanding this reduction in packaged volume, the assembly of the swing ride remains comparable to prior art rides, and the overall assembled dimensions of the swing ride50are comparable to the assembled dimensions of prior art swing rides.

FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate a nested configuration of the seven plastic components of the swing50. The base members114are positioned on opposite sides of the seat portion54such that the hub portions118are at least partially received in a respective one of the concave portions90in the side surfaces86of the seat portion54. This enables the base members114to fit tightly along the side surfaces86of the seat portion54. The bend in the base members114further facilitates the tight nesting of the base members114against the side surfaces86of the seat portion54. The hand rest members170are positioned at least partially on the seat portion54in stacked relation between the two base members114. The foot rest members138are also positioned at least partially on the seat portion54in stacked relation. In the illustrated nested configuration, the foot rest members138are positioned partially between the two base members114, and more specifically are partially between only the arms122of the base members114.

In the nested configuration shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the seven plastic components of the swing50occupy a volume V of less than or equal to about 3,200 cubic inches. As illustrated, the volume V is about 3,168 cubic inches. The nested components have an overall nested height Hnof less than or equal to about 7.7 inches, an overall nested length Lnof less than or equal to about 36 inches, and an overall nested width Wnof less than or equal to about 10.8 inches. As illustrated, the nested components have an overall nested height Hnof about 7.63 inches, an overall nested length Lnof about 36.00 inches, and an overall nested width Wnof about 10.72 inches. In this nested configuration, the seven plastic components of the swing50, as well as the fasteners, washers, and nuts for assembling the seven plastic components can be packaged in a container having a volume of less than or equal to about 3,200 cubic inches. This is a significant reduction in package size for an all-plastic (except for the assembly hardware), two-person swing ride.

The ratios between assembled dimensions and disassembled, nested dimensions are as follows:
Hato Hn≈3.2
Lato Ln≈1
Wato Wn≈1.4

FIGS. 7-12illustrate one possible packaging configuration in which the seven plastic components of the swing50, the assembly hardware for the plastic components, and the mounting hardware for the swing50, in the form of the bracket assemblies70, the chains62, the quick links66, and the swing hangers196(seeFIG. 1), are packed in a single container200.

FIG. 7illustrates the seat portion54placed into the container200. InFIG. 8, two pairs of brackets from the bracket assemblies70are positioned in diametrically-opposed corners of the container200. InFIG. 9, the base members114are placed on opposite sides of the seat portion54. Instead of being positioned as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, one of the base members114is positioned closer to the first end94of the seat portion54and the other base member114is positioned closer to the second end98of the seat portion54in diametrically opposed relation. This arrangement helps to evenly distribute the weight within the container200. Note, however, that each hub portion118is at least partially received in a concave portion90of the side surfaces86to maintain the tightly-nested arrangement of the seat portion54and the base members114. Again, the bend in the base members114also facilitates the tightly-nested arrangement of the base members114against the side surfaces86of the seat portion54.

FIG. 10illustrates the placement of the assembly hardware bag204(including the fasteners110,162,186, washers136,166,190, nuts134,168,192, and additional hardware for mounting the brackets of the bracket assemblies70) and the mounting hardware bag208(including the chains62, the quick links66, and the swing hangers196) in the container200at diametrically-opposed corners. This arrangement also helps to evenly distribute the weight within the container200. Next inFIGS. 11 and 12, the foot rest members138and the hand rest members170are positioned in stacked relation at least partially on the seat portion54and in diametrically-opposed corners of the container200as shown. While the illustrated embodiment shows the two foot rest members138stacked on one another, and the two hand rest members170stacked on one another, it is understood that alternatively one hand rest member170could be stacked on one foot rest member138, or vice versa.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown inFIG. 13, the container200takes the form of a cardboard box having a length Lcof less than or equal to about 36.25 inches, a height Hcof less than or equal to about 8 inches, and a width Wcof less than or equal to about 11 inches, thereby providing an overall volume Vcof the container200of less than or equal to about 3,200 cubic inches, and more specifically of less than or equal to about 3,190 cubic inches. The illustrated container200therefore has a significantly-reduced volume from previously-used containers housing prior art, all-plastic swing rides, yet still houses all of the swing ride components, assembly hardware, and mounting hardware. Prior art swing ride containers for all-plastic swing rides typically had volumes of at least 5,760 cubic inches. With the all-plastic swing ride50and the container200of the present invention, the percent volume reduction from prior art swing ride containers housing all-plastic swing rides is at least about forty-four percent.

The ratios between assembled dimensions and packaged dimensions are as follows:
Hato Hc≈3.2
Lato Lc≈1
Wato Wc≈1.4

As shown inFIG. 14, the illustrated container200is sized and configured to facilitate stacking on a shipping pallet212. The illustrated pallet212is a conventional forty inch by forty-eight inch pallet that can support twenty stacked containers200to have a stacked height Hsof less than or equal to about 40 inches, a stacked length Lsof less than or equal to about 44 inches, and a stacked width Wsof less than or equal to about 36.25 inches, and to provide an overall stacked volume Vsof less than or equal to about 63,800 cubic inches.

The swing ride50of the present invention provides all of the comforts and benefits of an all-plastic swing ride, yet significantly reduces the packaged volume of the swing ride components, thereby reducing packing, shipping and storage costs associated with the swing ride50. In achieving this goal, the swing ride50includes more separate plastic components than prior art all-plastic swing rides. In a somewhat counter-intuitive manner, increasing the number of parts results in a decrease in packaged volume. However, the components of the swing ride50are designed for quick and easy assembly, such that the increased number of parts does not substantially increase the assembly time and effort.