SEATS FOR SWINGS

Abstract: A bench-type seat (1) for suspension from non-rigid suspension elements, such as chains (2, 3), to provide a child's swing, comprises a generally plate-like, substantially rigid, member (4) to bear the weight of a user sitting on the seat, resilient polymeric material (5) secured to the plate-like member (4) to provide protection at the periphery of the plate-like member (4), and respective securing means (6) for securing each of the suspension elements (2, 3) to the plate-like member (4). A respective pillar (8) of the resilient polymeric material (5) projects from the plate-like member (4) at the location of each securing element (6) so as to surround the suspension elements (2, 3) with a substantial thickness of polymeric material and take up lateral forces created by them.

Description: Seats for Swings This invention relates to seats for swings of the type used by children, in playgrounds, for example. As discussed in our earlier British patent specifications Nos . 1,535,728 and 2,267,223 safety and resistance to vandalism are very important issues in regard to seats for swings of the type used by children. As a matter of commercial reality, however, the cost of providing a safe and vandal-resistant swing is also an important issue. It is an object of the invention to provide a swing seat which enables the cost of providing a safe and vandal-resistant swing to be reduced. The present invention provides a bench-type seat for suspension from non-rigid suspension elements, such as chains, to provide a child's swing, the seat comprising: a generally plate-like, substantially rigid, member to bear the weight of a user sitting on the seat, resilient polymeric material secured to the plate-like member to provide protection at the periphery of the plate-like member, and respective securing means for securing each of the suspension elements to the plate-like member, characterized in that a respective pillar of the resilient polymeric material projects from the plate-like member at the location of each securing means so as to provide, in use, a sleeve of substantial thickness around each suspension element. Surprisingly, such a seat enables a substantial reduction to be made in the cost of providing a swing whilst at the same not compromising safety or resistance to vandalism. The back and forth motion of a swing in use causes considerable forces to be applied to the means of attachment (such as an eye-bolt) of a suspension element to the plate-like member. When, however, according to the invention, a pillar of the resilient material projects from the plate-like member at the location of each securing means so as to provide a sleeve of substantial thickness around each suspension element, the pillars are able to take up some of the lateral forces created by the back and forth movement of the swing. That is possible because the user sits at a lower level than the point at which the suspension elements emerge from the pillars and a force moment is, as a result, applied to the pillars which, in response to it, deform against their natural resilience. Such a construction also gives sufficient stability for it to be possible to attach two suspension elements directly to the seat without the need to terminate each at the swing seat in an inverted "V" formed by chain as was done conventionally. That is, a two- point fixing rather than a four-point fixing is made possible . As a result, it becomes possible to make the means of attachment of a suspension element to the plate-like member substantially less massive than they would otherwise have to be and, when a two-point fixing is adopted rather than a four-point fixing, to reduce the number of means of attachment to one half. Since means of attachment such as eye-bolts are an expensive component in the cost of providing a complete swing, a substantial saving overall results. Preferably, the or each pillar provides a layer of polymeric material at least 8 millimetres thick around the associated suspension element and projects above the surface of the seat on which the user sits by at least 3 centimetres . It is, however, more preferable that the said layer is at least 1 centimetre thick and that the pillar projects by at least 4 centimetres. Advantageously, the said layer is between 1 and 2.5 centimetres thick and the pillar projects by between 4 and 10 centimetres. Preferably, the polymeric material has a Shore hardness between 50 and 70. Other hardnesses outside that range can, however, be used. Advantageously, substantially the whole of the plate-like member is covered by the polymeric material. The material may be a natural or synthetic rubber. Preferably, the polymeric material has been moulded onto the plate-like member. Advantageously, the plate-like member is provided with two or more strengthening ribs on it underside. Advantageously, the plate-like member is made of aluminium. The seat may include suspension elements and when the suspension elements are chains, each pillar may be moulded about the respective chain so that the polymeric material penetrates into the links of the chain. Such a construction is particularly effective in reducing the forces applied in use to the attachment means. Alternatively, each pillar may be provided with a longitudinal passage therethrough to receive a suspension element. That has the advantage that the suspension elements can be attached on site rather than at the factory. It is especially preferred that the passages be of cruciform cross-section to receive a chain suspension element made up of links arranged alternately at right- angles. By that means, gaps between the chain and the pillar can be kept very small; such gaps might otherwise make the construction less effective. Alternatively, the passages may be of circular cross-section or of generally square cross-section. If desired, a sleeve-like insert may be provided within each longitudinal passage to surround the associated suspension element. By that means the force of the suspension element can be applied more uniformly against the pillar to avoid wear. The insert may be of plastics material. Advantageously, the insert is externally of circular cross-section and has an internal cruciform passage therethrough to receive a chain suspension element made up of links arranged alternately at right angles. Preferably, there are just two pillars to provide a two-point fixing for the seat. Preferably, the seat is oblong in plan and a respective securing means is provided at each end of the oblong on the central axis thereof. Each securing means may comprise a circular aperture in the plate-like member for receiving an eye-bolt fixing, or a slot in the plate-like member through which either a link of a chain constituting the associated suspension element or a "U"-bolt fixing can be passed, or a pair of spaced-apart circular apertures in the platelike member for receiving a "U"-bolt fixing. Advantageously, the resilient polymeric material extends beyond the outline of the plate-like member to form a border around the edges of the plate-like member, including a peripheral dependent skirt of substantial thickness . Advantageously, the border includes a hinge-like portion of the resilient material, the plate-like member in the region of the hinge-like portion is configured to provide room for the dependent skirt to hinge beneath the plate-like member, and, in use, in an impact between the edge of the seat adjacent the hinge-like portion and an object, the skirt is progressively deformed and forced to hinge inwards against the resilience of the hinge-like portion. Advantageously, the skirt includes a multiplicity of blind apertures extending into the skirt from its distal end. Seats constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a combined side elevational view and cross-sectional view of a seat in accordance with the invention, the seat being shown in side elevation to the left of the centre line A-A and in cross-section to the right of that line; Figure 2 is a combined plan view and underneath view of the seat of Figure 1, the seat being shown in plan to the left of the centre line B-B and in underneath view to the right of that line; Figure 3 shows, to a larger scale, a cross-section taken on the line III-III marked in Figure 1; Figures 4 to 6 show diagrammatically three alternative ways of securing chains to the seat; Figure 7 shows diagrammatically the internal configuration of passages formed in the seat; Figures 8 and 9 show two alternative configurations for passages formed in the seat; Figure 10 shows diagrammatically the use of an insert in the passages; and Figure 11 shows diagrammatically a construction in which polymeric material is moulded about chain used for suspending the seat. In the figures, identical reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts. Referring to the accompanying drawings, a bench-type seat 1 is shown for suspension from two chains, 2 and 3, to provide a child's swing. Because the seat 1 is of symmetrical construction it is possible to shown combined views in Figures 1 and 2. The seat comprises a generally plate-like, substantially rigid, member 4 to bear the weight of a user sitting on the seat and resilient polymeric material 5 secured to the plate-like member to provide protection at the periphery of the plate-like member. Respective securing means 6 are provided for securing each of the suspension elements to the plate-like member 4. The seat 1 is oblong in plan and a respective securing means 6 is provided at each end of the oblong on the central axis thereof. Respective pillars 7 and 8 of the resilient polymeric material 5 project from the plate-like member 4 at the location of each securing means 6 so as to surround the suspension chains 2 and 3 with a substantial thickness of polymeric material. Each pillar 7, 8 is provided with a longitudinal passage 12 therethrough to receive the suspension elements 2,3. The passages 12 are of cruciform cross-section to receive the suspension chains 2, 3 which are made up of links arranged alternately at right-angles. Substantially the whole of the plate-like member 4 is covered by the polymeric material 5 which is a synthetic rubber of Shore hardness of about 60 moulded onto the plate-like member. The plate-like member 4 is made of aluminium and provided with two strengthening ribs 9 and 10 on its underside, and a respective angled strengthening member 11 at each of its ends. The resilient polymeric material 5 extends beyond the outline of the plate-like member 4 to form a border around the edges of the plate-like member, including a peripheral dependent skirt 14 of substantial thickness. On its long sides, the plate-like member 4 terminates in lips 13. That construction corresponds to the construction disclosed in our British patent No. 2,267,223 and is one in which the border includes a hinge-like portion of the resilient material, the plate-like member in the region of the hinge-like portion being configured to provide room for the dependent skirt to hinge beneath the plate-like member, and, in use, in an impact between the edge of the seat adjacent the hinge-like portion and an object, the skirt is progressively deformed and forced to hinge inwards against the resilience of the hinge-like portion. The disclosure of that specification is incorporated herein by reference. The skirt 14 includes a multiplicity of blind apertures 15 extending into the skirt from its distal end and the construction is in accordance with our British patent No. 1,535,728 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Each securing means 6 comprises a slot in the platelike member and a rectangular washer plate 17 (larger than the slot) with two spaced-apart apertures through which a U-bolt 16 with threaded ends is passed and secured by means of nuts 18. The following dimensions are suitable for the seat 1: Overall size of seat in plan view: 466 x 160 millimetres , Height of pillars above top of surface on which the user sits: 5 centimetres, Mean diameter of pillars: 52 millimetres, Thickness of metal in chain links: 6 millimetres, and Overall size of links in chain: 2 3 centimetres. The values of other dimensions can be judged from Figures 1 to 3 which show the component parts of the seat in scale with each other. Figure 4 shows a modified arrangement in which the U-bolts 16 with threaded ends are rotated through 90° (relative to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 ) and each has its ends passed through two spaced-apart apertures in the plate-like member. Figure 5 shows a modified arrangement in which each securing means comprises an aperture in the plate-like member for receiving a respective threaded eye-bolt 20 fixing welded to each chain. Figure 6 shows a modified arrangement in which a link of a chain constituting the associated suspension element is passed through a slot in the plate-like member 4 and secured beneath the plate-like member by a bolt 21 passing through the last link of the chain. Figure 7 illustrates the cruciform arrangement shown ,in the seat of Figures 1 to 3. Figure 8 shows how the cruciform passages of Figure 8 can be replaced by passages of generally square cross- section, for example, a true square or a square with rounded corners, the links of the chain are showing in dotted outline located along the diagonals of the square. Figure 9 shows an arrangement in which the passages are of circular cross-section, the chain again being shown in dotted outline. Figure 10 shows an arrangement in which a sleevelike insert 22 is provided within each longitudinal passage to surround the suspension element. The insert 22 is of plastics material, externally is of circular cross-section and has an internal cruciform passage 23 therethrough to receive the associated chain. Figure 11 shows an arrangement in which each pillar is moulded about the respective chain so that the polymeric material penetrates into the links of the chain, the chain being secured as in Figure 6. The invention can also be applied to a swing seat with a four-point fixing. The invention can be applied to a cradle type swing seat. The seat can be any one of a number of other different shapes in plan, for example, oval or lozenge shaped.

Claims: C L A I M S : 1. A bench-type seat for suspension from non-rigid suspension elements, such as chains, to provide a child's swing, the seat comprising: a generally plate-like, substantially rigid, member to bear the weight of a user sitting on the seat, resilient polymeric material secured to the plate-like member to provide protection at the periphery of the plate-like member, and respective securing means for securing each of the suspension elements to the plate-like member, characterized in that a respective pillar of the resilient polymeric material projects from the plate-like member at the location of each securing means so as to provide, in use, a sleeve of substantial thickness around each suspension element. 2. A seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pillar provides a layer of polymeric material at least 8 millimetres thick around the associated suspension element and projects above the surface of the seat on which the user sits by at least 3 centimetres. 3. A seat as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the said layer is at least 1 centimetre thick and the pillar projects by at least 4 centimetres. 4. A seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said layer is between 1 and 2.5 centimetres thick and the pillar projects by between 4 and 10 centimetres. 5. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the polymeric material has a Shore hardness between 50 and 70. 6. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein substantially the whole of the plate-like member is covered by the polymeric material. 7. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material is a natural or synthetic rubber. 8. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the polymeric material has been moulded onto the plate-like member. 9. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate-like member is provided with two or more strengthening ribs on it underside. 10. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate-like member is made of aluminium. 11. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, further including suspension elements, and wherein the suspension elements are chains, and each pillar is moulded about the respective chain so that the polymeric material penetrates into the links of the chain. 12. A seat as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each pillar is provided with a longitudinal passage therethrough to receive a suspension element. 13. A seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the passages are of cruciform cross-section to receive a chain suspension element made up of links arranged alternately at right-angles. 14. A seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the passages are of circular cross-section. 15. A seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the passages are of generally square cross-section. 16. A seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein a sleeve-like insert is provided within each longitudinal passage to surround the associated suspension element. 17. A seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein the insert is of plastics material . 18. A seat as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the insert is externally of circular cross- section and has an internal cruciform passage therethrough to receive a chain suspension element made up of links arranged alternately at right angles. 19. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are just two pillars to provide a two-point fixing for the seat. 20. A seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the seat is oblong in plan and a respective securing means is provided at each end of the oblong on the central axis thereof . 21. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each securing means comprises a circular aperture in the plate-like member for receiving an eye-bolt fixing. 22. A seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein each securing means comprises a slot in the plate-like member through which either a link of a chain constituting the associated suspension element or a "U"- bolt fixing can be passed. 23. A seat as claimed in claim any of claims 1 to 20, wherein each securing means comprises a pair of spaced-apart circular apertures in the plate-like member for receiving a "U-'-bolt fixing. 24. A seat as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 or 12 to 23, further including chain suspension elements affixed to the plate-like member. 25. A seat as claimed in claims 21 and 24, wherein the chain suspension elements are affixed to the platelike member by eye-bolts. 26. A seat as claimed in claims 22 and 24, wherein the chain suspension elements are secured beneath the plate-like member by a bolt passing through a link of the chain. 27. A seat as claimed in claims 22 and 24, wherein the chain suspension elements are secured to the platelike member by a "U"-bolt passing through the slot and through a washer plate. 28. A seat as claimed in claims 23 and 24, wherein the chain suspension elements are affixed to the platelike member by "U"-bolts. 29. A seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient polymeric material extends beyond the outline of the plate-like member to form a border around the edges of the plate-like member, including a peripheral dependent skirt of substantial thickness. 30. A seat as claimed in claim 29, wherein the border includes a hinge-like portion of the resilient material, the plate-like member in the region of the hinge-like portion is configured to provide room for the dependent skirt to hinge beneath the plate-like member, and, in use, in an impact between the edge of the seat adjacent the hinge-like portion and an object, the skirt is progressively deformed and forced to hinge inwards against the resilience of the hinge-like portion 31. A seat as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the skirt includes a multiplicity of blind apertures extending into the skirt from its distal end. 32. A seat for a child's swing substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. 33. A seat as claimed in claim 32 modified substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, any one of Figures 4 to 11 of the accompanying drawings .

Inventors: BRADY DAVID FRANK, BRADY, DAVID, FRANK
Applicants: BRADY DAVID FRANK, SUTCLIFFE PLAY LIMITED, BRADY, DAVID, FRANK
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63G9
IPC codes: A63G9