Abstract:
A speed modifying device is provided. The speed modifying device comprises a base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a crank hub operably coupled to the base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a speed control mechanism rotatably attached, at a first end, to the crank hub, and rotatably attached, at a second end, to the base member. The speed control mechanism is configured to limit rotational motion of the crank hub.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of Utility application Ser. No. 14/497,617, filed on Sep. 26, 2014, which is a continuation of Utility application Ser. No. 13/558,073, filed on Aug. 17, 2012 which claims the priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/524,424, filed on Aug. 17, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A great variety of different play devices have been created. Multiple play devices are sometimes used together to form a play area for children. These play areas can include devices such as slides, swings, monkey bars, see-saws, jungle gyms, etc. Alternatively, a single play device may be used by itself without being part of a larger group of devices. Accordingly, play devices can be incorporated into a wide variety of settings. 
         [0003]    One category of play devices includes rotating play devices. One well-known example is a “merry-go-round.” Merry-go-rounds commonly include a top platform that supports one or more children. The top platform is connected to the ground through a rotatable joint that enables the top platform to spin. Children can then use their own power or be pushed to spin around in circles for their entertainment. Obviously, rotating play devices are not however limited to any particular setting or features, and can be used in any setting and include any features. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A speed modifying device is provided. The speed modifying device comprises a base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a crank hub operably coupled to the base member. The speed modifying device also comprises a speed control mechanism rotatably attached, at a first end, to the crank hub, and rotatably attached, at a second end, to the base member. The speed control mechanism is configured to limit rotational motion of the crank hub. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an inclusive rotating play device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the top of a rotating play device with the sitting/support structure removed. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom of a rotating play device with the sitting/support structure removed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top down view of a sitting/support structure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a sitting/support structure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is top down view of a crank arm. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a crank arm. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a top down view of a crank hub. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a crank hub. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Embodiments of the present disclosure include rotating play devices. The devices may be used in environments such as in playgrounds for children. Embodiments are not however limited to any particular environment and may be used in any environment. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a rotating play device  100 . Device  100  includes a sitting and/or support structure  102  (hereinafter just “sitting structure” for simplification). As will be described in greater detail below, sitting structure  102  is rotatably mounted to a stationary base  104  such that sitting structure  102  is able to rotate about an axis of rotation  103 . Sitting structure  102  illustratively provides a structure that is able to hold and support children as they are rotated about. Structure  102  is able to support children in a wide variety of ways (e.g. sitting upright or laying down). Structure  102  may also be useful in that it can used by children of all abilities, and is therefore inclusive rather than exclusive. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, sitting structure  102  is designed to allow for children to be able to easily access the structure and position themselves, while still being relatively contained within the structure during rotation. For instance, in the specific example shown in the figures, an outer perimeter of sitting structure  102  is angled up, or is elevated compared to the interior of the structure. This helps to keep children within the structure during rotation. It can also be seen from the figures that structure  102  also includes some portions of the outer perimeter that dip down or are recessed to allow for access. 
         [0017]    Sitting structure  102  may be made from any material using any manufacturing method. In one embodiment, for illustration purposes only and not by limitation, it is made from a plastic and has a hollow interior. Such an embodiment can be made using a manufacturing method such as, but not limited to, rotational molding. Of course, embodiments are not limited to any particular construction or method of manufacturing. 
         [0018]    Sitting structure  102  is illustratively attached to and supported by rotating support  108 . Rotating support  108  optionally includes one or more attachment structures  109  that enable rotating support  108  to be securely attached to sitting structure  102  such that rotational motion from either element is transferred to the other element. In the specific example shown in the figure, attachment structures  109  include apertures such that screws or bolts may be used to attach support  108  to sitting structure  102 . Embodiments are not however limited to any particular attachment scheme/configuration and may include any attachment scheme/configuration. 
         [0019]    Rotating support  108  is illustratively attached to stationary base  104  at/through a speed limiting rotation point  110 . In an embodiment, speed limiting rotation point  110  allows for sitting structure  102  to rotate, while at the same time providing some resistance to rotation. This may be advantageous in at least certain circumstances. For instance, in a traditional rotating play device (e.g. a “merry-go-round”), it may be possible to rotate children relatively quickly. This could in at least some situations be hazardous in that a child may not be able to support him or herself under the centripetal force and be thrown from the device. However, in at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, speed limiting rotation point  110  helps to reduce or control the speed at which sitting structure  102  can be rotated. This may help to reduce the likelihood of a child being thrown from the device. 
         [0020]    In light of the above, it should be noted that rotating play device  100  has two features that may individually or in combination help to maintain children within the device while being rotated. The design/configuration of sitting structure  102  helps to contain children within the structure, and the speed limiting rotation point  110  helps to limit or control the speed. Some embodiments of the present disclosure, such as those shown in the figures, include both features. While other embodiments of the present disclosure only include one or the other feature. For instance, a sitting structure  102  that helps to contain children may be used without any type of speed limiting device, or a speed limiting device may be used with a more conventional “merry-go-round” support structure. 
         [0021]    The resistance to rotational motion may be provided using any type of mechanisms or any methods. In the example shown in the figures, one or more speed limiting devices  112  are used. Speed limiting devices  112  may be mechanically driven (e.g. spring driven), pneumatically driven, electrically driven, some combination of mechanical/pneumatic/electrical, or any other type of device. Speed limiting devices  112  may be for instance a mechanical/pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement such as those used to shut a screen door of a house, or a gas shock with fixed bearings. Rotating play device  100  may also include hardware  114  to support the rotation and to connect the various components. Two of the more important components are crank arm  113  and crank hub  115 . These two components, as well as other aspects of speed limiting devices, are discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an assembled rotating play device  100  with the sitting structure  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) having been removed.  FIG. 2  shows that stationary base  104  illustratively includes a bottom portion  116 , one or more middle portions  117 , and an upper portion  118  that is connected to bottom portion  116  though middle portions  117 . One end of each speed limiting device  112  is optionally rotatably attached to an attachment point  120  of base bottom  116  such that the speed limiting device  112  is able to rotate about an axis of rotation  121 . The other end of speed limiting device  112  is optionally rotatably attached to an attachment point on crank hub  115 . Crank hub  115  illustratively translates motion or resistance to motion from the speed limiting devices  112  to the rotation support  108  (e.g. through a crank arm  113 ). The upper portion  118  of stationary base  104  may also have an assembly such as a bearing assembly that aids in translating motion. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an assembled rotating play device  100  with the sitting structure  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) having been removed.  FIG. 3  shows that crank hub  115  is rotatably connected to each of the speed limiting devices  112 . Crank hub  115  has a rod  124  that is connected to the center of the crank hub  115  and that extends upward to connect the crank hub  115  to crank arm  113  that is within the upper portion  118  of the base  104 . The crank arm  113  illustratively rotates along with the rotating support  108  and the sitting structure  102  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment, rod  124  is connected to the crank arm  113  at an outer perimeter of the crank arm  113  (i.e. rod  124  is connected to crank arm  113  at a distance that is spaced apart from the center of rotation of crank arm  113 ). Accordingly, as crank arm  113  is rotated, rod  124  moves crank hub  115  which in turns extends or shortens the lengths of the speed limiting devices  112 . Speed limiting devices  112  provide some resistance to the motion thus controlling or limiting the speed of an attached sitting structure  102 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top down view of sitting structure  102 . The specific sitting structure  102  shown in  FIG. 4  is given merely for illustration purposes only. Embodiments of sitting structures may include any one or more features or combinations of features, and are not limited to the specific example shown in the figures. 
         [0025]    Structure  102  may be approximately circular in shape and have a diameter  141 . Diameter  141  is optionally between  60  and  100  inches in order to accommodate and provide appropriate room for multiple children. As previously mentioned, an outer perimeter  144  is illustratively elevated above an inner portion  142 . This can be useful for keeping children from being thrown from the device. The inner portion  142  optionally includes extension portions  142  that separate built-in indented seats  146  from each other. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a side view of sitting structure  102 . Structure  102  includes a bottom surface  151 . The outer perimeter includes raised portions  152  and recessed portions  154 . Raised portions  152  are at a height  153  from bottom surface  151 , and recessed portions are at a height  155  from bottom surface  151 . In an embodiment, height  153  is greater than height  155 . Accordingly, the raised portions  152  can be used as a back rest or other support, while recessed portions  154  allow for easier access into and out of the sitting structure  102 . It should be noted that both the raised portions  152  and recessed portions  154  are elevated compared to inner portion  142  (shown and labeled in  FIG. 4 ). This may help to keep children from being thrown from the play device. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a top down view of crank arm  113 . Crank arm  113  includes a center portion  161  that may be approximately circular and have a diameter  163 . Center portion  161  optionally includes one or more apertures  162  that can be used to connect crank arm  113  to rotating support  108  (shown and labeled in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Crank arm  113  is illustratively connected to rotating support  108  in a fixed manner such that rotation of crank arm  113  is translated directly into rotation of rotating support  108 . Crank arm  113  does not however need to have apertures  162 . In other embodiments, crank arm  113  can be attached to rotating support  108  using any attachment means such as, but not limited to, clips, adhesives, magnets, welding, etc. 
         [0028]    Crank arm  113  also includes an extension portion  164 . Extension portion  164  includes a rod receiving aperture or section  165  that may include ball bearings, swivels, etc. In an embodiment, extension portion  164  connects crank arm  113  to a crank hub  115  utilizing a rod  166 . Therefore, rotation of crank arm  113  is translated to crank hub  115  utilizing rod  166 . As can be seen in the figure, a center of the crank/extension portion  167  is offset or separated from the center  169  of the main body portion of the crank arm. Therefore, it should be noted that crank arm  113  and crank hub  115  have axes of rotation that are offset from each other. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a side view of crank arm  113  that includes a center portion  161  and an extension portion  164 . The extension portion  164  optionally includes aperture  165  that can be used to support a rod  166 . Rod  166  may include a top flanged portion that enables the rod  166  to rest in a recessed groove of aperture  165 . This enables rod  166  to be able to rotate about its center axis while still being able to rotate center portion  161  about its center axis. Alternatively, crank arm  113  could include swivels, ball bearings, or any other mechanism that enables rod  166  to rotate relative to center portion  161 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a top down view of crank hub  115 . Crank hub  115  may be approximately circular and have a diameter  180 . The center of crank hub  115  has an aperture  181  that is configured to connect to and support rod  166 . Therefore, one end of rod  166  is connected to crank hub  115  and the other end of rod  166  is connected to crank arm  113  (shown and labeled in  FIGS. 6-7 ). 
         [0031]    Crank hub  115  also includes a number of satellite apertures  182  that surround center aperture  181 . Satellite apertures are configured to connect to and support shafts  183 . Shafts  183  are also configured to be attached to speed limiting devices  112  (shown and labeled in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Therefore, crank hub  115  connects rod  166  to speed limiting devices  112 , which limits the rotational speed of rod  166 . This in turn limits the rotational speed of the upper sitting structure  102 . Accordingly, the above described mechanisms can be used to control the speed of an inclusive rotatable play device. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a side view of crank hub  115 . It shows that center aperture  181  can be used to connect the crank hub  115  to the rod  166 , and that the satellite apertures  182  can be used to connect the crank hub  115  to the shafts  183 . Similar to aperture  165  in  FIG. 7 , apertures  182  may also include a recessed ledge that is able to support a flanged portion of shafts  183 . Accordingly, shafts  183  are able to be supported such that they are still able to rotate relative to the main body portion of crank hub  115 . 
         [0033]    Accordingly, as has been described above, embodiments of the present disclosure include rotating play devices. The rotating play devices may include one or more features that may be useful in reducing the likelihood of a child from being thrown from a rotating play device. For instance, play devices may include speed limiting devices that help to control or limit the rotational speed, and may additionally or alternatively include a sitting structure having a shape that helps contain children within the structure. 
         [0034]    Finally, it is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present disclosure.