Abstract:
A swing that is illuminated for a child&#39;s safety and enjoyment at night time. The illuminated swing is a self contained unit that can attach to any swing set structure. The illuminated swing is comprised of a seat, a means to suspend the seat from a swing set structure, a light source, a power source and a switch. The power source supplies power to the light source and the switch allows the light source to be toggled between the light emitting state and the off state. The light source gives the illuminated swing an illuminated or glowing appearance. In a second embodiment an illuminated swing set includes a swing set structure, a power source, a light source and a switch. Light sources are disposed along the swing set structure and internal to individual swings attached to the swing set structure. The power source supplies power to the light sources and the switch allows the light sources to be toggled between the light emitting state and the off state. The power source includes a battery, so that the illuminated swing set can operate without a connection to an electrical grid. A solar cell recharges the battery, allowing the illuminated swing set to operate for substantial periods of time without battery replacement. An electrical buss is disposed on the swing set structure to distribute power from the power source to light sources disposed away from the power source. The illuminated swing and the illuminated swing set are more enjoyable and safer to use than commonplace swings and swing sets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application benefits from provisional application 60/665,538 filed Mar. 26, 2005. The title of the provisional application is Illuminated Swing. The applicant is Roland Cadotte Jr. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to swings used in playgrounds.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Children&#39;s playgrounds typically contain swings for children to play. These swings are typically used during the day when there is abundant light. However, at night when there is little ambient light, swings are typically not used by children or they are used in a hazardous manner. The illuminated swing and the illuminated swing set allow children to use swings at night in an enjoyable and safe manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of this invention is to provide an illuminated swing that children will enjoy using in the dark.  
         [0005]     Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated swing that is safer to use in the dark.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to use light emitting diodes to illuminate the swing.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to use a power source internal to the swing to supply power to the light source.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is to have a switch contained in the swing to turn on and off the lights internal to the swing.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to illuminate the means for suspending the seat from an overhead structure.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that contains an electrical buss for supplying power to light sources disposed away from the power supply.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to use solar cells for recharging the rechargeable batteries that supply power to the light sources.  
         [0012]     Another object of the invention is to put the illuminated swing into the light emitting state when a child sits in the illuminated swing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The various embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings in which items are identified by the reference designations, wherein;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1 . is a pictorial view of the illuminated seat and the illuminated suspension means.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2 . is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of the invention using a single light emitting diode.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3 . is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of the invention using three light emitting diodes in a parallel configuration.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4 . is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of the invention using light emitting diodes in a parallel and a series configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5 . is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of the invention including a photo sensor, solar cell, over ride switch and voltage regulator.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6 . is a pictorial view of the main seat housing.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7 . is a pictorial view of a printed wiring board containing LEDs.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8 . is a pictorial view of the means to suspend the seat attached to the seat.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9 . is a pictorial view of a swing set structure.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10 . is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the illuminated swing set.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     The illuminated swing as shown in  FIG. 1  is comprised of a seat  500  upon which one sits and of a means  600  to suspend the seat  500  from an overhead structure. One or more light sources are included in the seat  500  and or in the means  600  to suspend the seat  500 . The light sources can be contained internal to the seat  500 , requiring that the seat  500  be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to allow the light emitted from the light sources to propagate from inside the seat  500  to the exterior of the seat  500 . The light sources can also be contained on the exterior of the seat, whereby the emitted light propagates away from the seat  500  by not necessarily through the seat.  
         [0025]     The illuminated swing may contain different types of light sources including light emitting diodes (LEDs) and light bulbs. Light emitting diodes are the preferred light source, since they are efficient, durable, and inexpensive though other light sources can be used. Numerous light emitting diodes exist that are suitable for this application including those that emit light at different wavelengths, those that have different intensity outputs and those that can be seen at different viewing angles. The LTST-T670KRKT manufactured by LiteOn Inc. Taipei, Taiwan is suitable for use in the illuminated swing. This LED is an ultra bright red LED with a 120° viewing angle and draws approximately 20 ma at 2 volts.  
         [0026]     The preferred embodiment of the illuminated swing contains a DC power supply  29  that supplies power to an LED or to LEDs. LEDs typically require a small DC supply voltage to emit light. A single LED  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  is being powered by a DC power supply  29 . The DC power supply  29  can take on many forms, including a single battery that supplies a DC voltage directly to an LED  20  or a 120V AC supply that is converted with the proper electronic circuitry to a DC voltage. Current limiting circuitry is recommended, whenever using LEDs. The current that flows in an LED increases exponentially as the voltage that is applied across the LED&#39;s terminals is increased. Therefore a small increase in supply voltage can cause an extremely large change in LED current. LED current limiting circuitry is typically comprised of a single resistor  30  connected in series with an LED  20 . This limiting resistor  30  creates a minimum resistance seen by the power supply  29  and therefore limits the current that flows into the LED  20 . The value of the limiting resistor is determined by dividing the voltage across the limiting resistor  30  by the desired current. The voltage across the limiting resistor  30  is the voltage difference between the power supply  29  voltage and the LED  20  voltage. For example in  FIG. 2 , one LTST-T670KRKT LED  20  is connected in series with the power supply  29  and the current limiting resistor  30 . The voltage drop difference between the power supply  29  and the LED  20  is 0.5 volts assuming the LED  20  has a 2 volt drop and the power supply  29  supplies 2.5 volt. If the desired current is 20 ma, then 0.5 volts would be divided by 20 ma to determine the resistance of the limiting resistor  30 . In this example the resistance is 25 ohms.  
         [0027]     The illuminated swing may contain one or more light sources depending on the size of the swing and the desired brightness of the swing. An illuminated swing with numerous light sources has a number of advantages over an illuminated swing with a single light source. These advantages include potentially emitting greater amounts of light and more uniformly illuminating the illuminated swing. The light sources can be connected to the power source  29  in series, in parallel or in a combination of both series and parallel. The optimal circuit configuration for the illuminated swing depends on many factors including the type of light source and the quantity of the light source. LEDs can be connected in series or in parallel. However, a series configuration is typically only practical when using a small number of LEDs. In a series configuration, the required power supply voltage is the sum of the voltage drops across each LED. This can be prohibitively large when using a large number of LEDs. For example, if 100 LEDs were used, the required voltage would be approximately 200 volts, assuming each LED had approximately a 2 volt drop in the on state. 200 volts is not easily produced and in addition can be very hazardous. A parallel configuration shown in  FIG. 3  is a second circuit topology that can be used with multiple LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 . A parallel configuration has the advantage that the required power supply  29  is the voltage across a single LED plus the voltage across its current limiting resistor. This supply voltage is significantly less than the voltage required if all the LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22  were connected in series. For the illuminated swing embodiment using the LTST-T670KRKT LEDs, the required power supply  29  voltage would be approximately 2.5 volts assuming each LED  20 ,  21 ,  22  operates at 2 volts, draws 20 ma of current each, and is connected in series with a 25 ohm current limiting resistor  30 ,  31 ,  32 . The required 2.5 volts is the sum of the voltage drop across a single LED  20 ,  21 ,  22  plus the voltage drop across a single LED&#39;s limiting resistor  30 ,  31 ,  32 . The disadvantage of this parallel configuration is that the DC power supply  29  has to supply a large amount of current as compared to the series configuration with the same number of LEDs. A circuit configuration using both a series configuration and a parallel configuration is also possible as shown in  FIG. 4 . This configuration requires less power supply voltage than if all LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  in this embodiment were connected in series and less power supply current than if all LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  were connected in parallel. Light bulbs and other light sources have different characteristics than those of LEDs, and therefore the preferred electrical configuration depends on the type of light source being used. A combined parallel and series topology is typically preferred when using battery powered LEDs.  
         [0028]     An illuminated swing contains switches  100 ,  101  as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4  that are connected in series with the power supply  29 . These switches  100 ,  101  allow the LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  to be switched between the light emitting state and the non light emitting state. Numerous switch types can be used for this function. Switch  100  is a toggle switch that can be located anywhere on the seat. Switch  100  is toggled between a high impedance state and a low impedance state. When switch  100  is in the low impedance state, current flows from the power source  29  to the light source  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . This puts the light source  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  and the illuminated swing into the light emitting state. When switch  100  is in the high impedance state, no current flows from the power supply  29  to the light source  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  and the light source  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  is put into the non light emitting state. Switch  100  remains in a given state, until it is switched to a new state by the user. Numerous switches are available that are suitable for this function including a toggle switch CKN1002-ND distributed by Digikey Corporation, Thief River Falls, Minn. Switch  101  is a pushbutton switch that is located internal to the seat. Switch  101  is normally in a high impedance state, and is put into a low impedance state only when pressure is applied to its plunger. Switch  101  is disposed in the seat of the illuminated swing and positioned such that when a child sits in the seat, pressure is applied to the switch&#39;s  101  plunger. This puts the switch  101  in the low impedance state and consequently puts the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  and the illuminated swing into the light emitting state. Switch  101  remains in the low impedance state only as long as the child remains seated in the seat. Numerous switches are available that are suitable for this function including a push button switch FB15AN manufactured by NKK, Scottsdale, Ariz. The pushbutton switch could also be disposed in the means  600  to suspend the seat  500 . The toggle switch  100  differs from the push button switch  101  in that the toggle switch  100  remains in a given state until a force is applied to the switch  100 . The pushbutton switch  101  needs constant pressure to remain in the low impedance state.  
         [0029]     The preferred embodiment of the illuminated swing contains a power supply that is comprised of a number batteries.  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the power supply that contains six batteries that supply power to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . The batteries&#39;  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  output voltage decreases as the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  supply current to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . A voltage regulator  60  is connected in series with the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  to maintain a constant supply voltage to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . A constant supply voltage is required for the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  to emit a constant amount of light over time. In this embodiment the voltage regulator converts the voltage from six series AA batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  to a constant 4.5 volts. Without the voltage regulator  60 , the voltage supplied to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  could range from approximately 6 volts to 8 volts depending on the battery type and the batteries&#39; stored charge. The voltage regulator used in  FIG. 5  is the TK11245BMCL. This voltage regulator  60  is manufactured by Toko America Inc., Mt. Prospect, Ill. Numerous other voltage regulators are suitable for this application.  
         [0030]     Numerous types of batteries can be used to supply power to the LEDs in the illuminated swing.  FIG. 5  shows six series AA alkaline batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  that supply power to the LEDs. Each of these batteries typically supplies 2000 ma-hours of current. Since the six batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  are connected in series, they have the same 2000 ma-hour current capability as a single battery, but at a much greater voltage. If the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  consume a total of 60 ma, or 20 ma from each set of series LEDs, then the six series batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  have enough charge to supply power to LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  for approximately 33 hours. This battery lifetime is determined by taking the ratio of battery ma-hours to the total amount of current supplied to the LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . Higher capacity batteries such as C and D cells can be used to increase battery life.  
         [0031]     A light activated switch  110  can be included in the illuminated swing as shown in  FIG. 5 , to prevent the illuminated swing from being left in the on position accidentally during daylight hours. The light activated switch  110  uses a light dependent resistor whose resistance is controlled by external light. The light activated switch  110  goes into a high impedance state when the ambient light reaches a certain threshold level, typically during day light hours. The light activated switch  110  goes into a low impedance state when the ambient light is below a certain threshold level, typically during night time hours. The light activated switch  110  is connected in series with the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 , the toggle switch  100  and the voltage regulator  60 . When the ambient light level is above a certain threshold, the light activated switch  110  goes into its high impedance state preventing the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  from supplying power to the voltage regulator  60 . This prevents the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  from accidentally supplying power to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  during periods of high ambient light and therefore preventing accidental battery discharge. An over ride switch  120  is included in the circuit to allow the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  to supply power to the light sources  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  when ever desired. A single pole single throw toggle switch can be used as the override switch  120 . Numerous switches are available that are suitable for this function including a toggle switch CKN1002-ND distributed by Digikey Corporation, Thief River Falls, Minn. When the ambient light level is below a certain threshold, the light activated switch  110  goes into its low impedance state allowing the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45  to supply power to the voltage regulator  60 .  
         [0032]     The illuminated swing contains a seat  500  that can be constructed to look similar to seats found in traditional swings. The illuminated swing&#39;s seat  500  can be formed of plastic and shaped such that it is comfortable for sitting. The seat can be comprised of three separate pieces that are attached together to form the seat  500 . The first piece that comprises the seat is the main seat housing  501  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The main seat housing  501  contains an opening  510  to allow the light sources, switch, power supply electronics and any other components to be placed inside of the main seat housing  501 . The second piece that comprises the seat is a plastic wall that attaches semi permanently to the main seat housing  501 , typically with screws or plastic snaps. This plastic wall seals the opening  510  in the main seat housing  501 . The second piece that comprises the seat is not shown because of its simplistic function and commonplace construction. The third piece that comprises the seat  500  is a battery door that encloses that battery compartment  520  formed in the main seat housing  501 . The third piece that comprises the seat is also not shown because of its simplistic function and commonplace construction. The light sources, switch, power supply electronics and any other required components can be secured and electrically connected together by mounting them on a printed wiring board  530  that is secured internal to the main seat housing  501 . The printed wiring board can be inserted into the opening  510  in the main seat housing  501 .  FIG. 6  also shows a possible location for toggle switch  100 .  FIG. 7  shows six LEDs  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  mounted on a printed wiring board  530 . A printed wiring board  530  is a dielectric material with conductive traces to which electrical and mechanical components can be mounted. The conductive traces contained on the printed wiring board  530  are not shown in  FIG. 7 . Printed wiring boards are typically constructed with FR4, though numerous other materials can be used including paper and Mylar. Electrical conductors connect the batteries  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  46  located in the battery compartment  520  to the printed wiring board  530  shown in  FIG. 7 . Numerous other techniques can be used to construct the illuminated swing, it is not the intent of this disclosure to limit the illuminated swing to any single method.  
         [0033]     Light sources may be included in the means  600  to suspend the seat  500 , so that the means  600  to suspend the seat  500  can be illuminated. The means  600  to suspend the seat  500  is constructed with a steel chain  620  that connects the seat  500  typically to an over head structure. The steel chain  620  is located inside a translucent plastic tube  640 .  FIG. 8  shows the means  600  to suspend the seat  500  with the plastic tube  640  shortened to allow a better understanding of the components that comprise the means  600  to suspend the seat  500 . Rope or other suspension means can be used instead of the steel chain  620 . The plastic tube  640  prevents fingers and hands from being injured by the steel chain  620 . A light rope is collocated with the steel chain  620  inside the translucent plastic tube  640 . A light rope is a plurality of light sources electrically connected  632  and contained in a tube of transparent or translucent flexible plastic or rubber  631 . Light ropes typically use either light bulbs or LEDs for light sources. Light ropes are available from a number of distributors including Novelty Lights.Com which sells a light rope that uses light bulbs and is powered by a 12 volt supply and light ropes that use LEDs and are powered by a 120 volt supply. A light rope can be constructed with LEDs that requires a smaller supply voltage and can more easily be powered with batteries. A combination serial and parallel circuit topology as previously described could be used in this light rope. The exact configuration depends on the desired number of LEDs included in the light rope. The cross sectional area of the means  600  to suspend the seat  500  is typically too small to contain a power supply  29 . Therefore electrical conductors are fed from the light rope internal to the means  600  to suspend the seat  500  to the power supply disposed internally to the seat  500  of the illuminated swing. One electrical conductor connects the power supply&#39;s electrical signal to the light sources and the second conductor connects the power supply and light sources together for the ground return.  
         [0034]     In another embodiment entitled the illuminated swing set, the power supply  29  and the switch  100  are not located in the seat  500 , but are located in or attached to the swing set structure  570  shown in  FIG. 9 . This swing set structure  570  is comprised of a member  572  located overhead that is typically supported by a second member  574  or a plurality of members  574 A,  574 B,  574 C,  574 D,  574 E. Swings and other swing set accessories such as slides and rings can be attached to this swing set structure. There are numerous ways to construct the swing set structure  570  and it is not the intent of this disclosure to limit the illuminated swing set to any particular type of swing set structure  570  This illuminated swing set embodiment, is comprised of a power supply  575  and an electrical buss  590  that distributes power from the power supply  575  to light sources disposed in various locations along the swing set structure  570  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The buss  590  is comprised of two conductive lines  591 ,  592 . One line  591  carries the supply voltage and the other conductive line  592  carries the supply voltage&#39;s return signal. The electrical buss  590  contains a finite number of connectors that provide electrical connections to the electrical buss  590 .  FIG. 10  shows three connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  connected to the electrical buss  590 , additional connectors can be added as needed. The connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  are connected to the electrical buss  590  in parallel so that the voltages supplied to each connector  593 ,  594 ,  595  is essentially the same. The connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  can be connected in a series configuration, if desired. In this embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , the electrical buss  590  supplies power to light sources disposed in swings  580 ,  581  and to a light source  582  attached directly to the swing set structure  570 . Swings  580 ,  581  are not illuminated swing embodiments as previously described. Swings  580 ,  581  do not contain an internal power supply and therefore require connections to an external power supply for powering their internal light sources. Swings  580 ,  581  and light source  582  contain connectors  11 ,  12 ,  13  for electrically interfacing with the connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  contained in the electrical buss  590 . The connectors  11 ,  12 ,  13  attached to the swings  580 ,  581  and light source  582  are shown connected to connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  in  FIG. 10 . Wires leading from swings  580 ,  581  are not shown in  FIG. 10 , due to the wire&#39;s small size. Numerous commercial connectors are suitable for electrically connecting the light sources disposed in the swings  580 ,  581  and the light source  582  to the connectors  593 ,  594 ,  595  contained in the electrical buss  590 . Mate-N-Lok connectors  172165 - 1  and  172166 - 1  from AMP TYCO Electronics are suitable for use in this embodiment. These connectors are designed to mate together and are polarized to prevent an incorrect connection. Mate-N-Lok connector  172166 - 1  is a plug type connector and is ideally suited for use in the electrical buss  590 . Mate-N-Lok connector  172165 - 1  is a jack type connector and is ideally suited for connecting the light sources to the electrical buss  590 . The electrical buss  590  distributes power to light sources  582  disposed along the swing set structure  570  and contained in swings  580 ,  581  and in other swing set accessories attached to the swing set structure  570 .  
         [0035]     The illuminated swing set contains a single switch  585  as shown in  FIG. 10  that is connected in series with the power supply  575 . This switch isolates the power supply  575  from the electrical buss  590 , thereby isolating the power supply  575  from light sources  582  disposed on the swing set structure  570  or in the swings  580 ,  581  attached to the swing set structure  570 . Additional switches may be connected in series with the individual light sources to allow independent control of the various light sources. These switches allow the light sources to be electrically removed from the electrical buss  590  as desired. This is important since a damaged light source can draw excessive current.  
         [0036]     For illuminated swing set embodiments that use a battery as the power supply, a solar cell  610  can be attached to the swing set structure to recharge the battery. Numerous solar cells are available that are suitable for this application including the SX-5-M by BP Solar. This solar cell  610  can output 5 Watts of power, an amount that is sufficient to recharge batteries capable of powering hundreds of LEDs during periods of darkness. A number of rechargeable battery types can be used, including NiMH and NiCad. A controller should be used to control the charging of the rechargeable batteries to prevent the batteries from being overcharged. Overcharging rechargeable batteries can lead to battery degradation or to battery failure. A number of vendors manufacture integrated circuits that control the charging of these battery types. Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, Calif. manufactures the MAX856 integrated circuit that controls the charging of rechargeable batteries using solar cells. The MAX856 monitors the battery&#39;s charge to prevent battery overcharging and uses a reservoir capacitor and a switch mode converter to efficiently recharge the batteries.  FIG. 5  shows a schematic of the illuminated swing set circuitry with a block  150 A representing the solar cell  610  and the corresponding control circuitry.  FIG. 10  shows a possible location of a solar cell  610  on the swing set structure  570 .