Abstract:
A child swing chair provides a seat and a rigid harness operably connected thereto which can move from a loaded to an unloaded configuration for ingress and egress from the seat by a user. When the harness is secured relative to the seat, the swing chair preferably passes a rigid bounded opening test as defined by Standard F1487, Paragraph 6.1.1 and the a partially bounded opening test as defined by Paragraphs 6.1.4 of the ASTM Standard in at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, the rigid harness can be supported in an unloaded configuration whereby the harness is in a position allowing for ingress and egress until a predetermined force is overcome to move the harness towards the loaded configuration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a child swing chair, and more particularly to a child swing chair configured to meet current rigid bonded opening and/or rigid partially bonded opening standards and/or provide a harness that can remain out of the way during ingress and egress. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     ASTM International&#39;s Standard F 1487 is directed to playground equipment for public use. The current edition is believed to be a 2007 version. The standard provides guidelines for head and neck entrapment which is principally addressed in the form of two tests: one for completely bonded rigid openings, and another for partially bonded openings. Tests provided by this standard in paragraphs 6.1.1 and 6.1.4 are not believed to be met by any prior art swing chair with a rigid child restraint harness on the market. Accordingly, a need exists to meet these current standards. The “standard” and “tests” as referred to throughout this application consistently refer to this standard and these two tests. 
     As it relates to the bounded rigid opening test, a torso probe is first inserted to see if it can be inserted in the opening in a certain manner. If it can be inserted, then a head probe is inserted to see if it can be admitted. Admitting the torso probe while not admitting the head probe fails the bounded rigid opening test. 
     The torso probe has a width of 6.2 inches which eventually tapers to a 5.2 inches from a base to a top. A handle is connected at the base. The torso probe used in the test does not have a round cross section. It has a thickness of 3.5 inches where it is 6.2 inches in width. A head probe has a base with a diameter of 9 inches which taper to 8 inches at its top. A handle is attached to the base. 
     A partially bounded opening test is performed on an opening between 1.875 inches and nine inches. A separate probe referred to as a test template with a 0.75 inch thickness is utilized to test for simultaneous contact. This probe looks somewhat like a diamond when taken along its length cross section. It has a cross section with a maximum width at a middle of about 6.1 inches and tapers to 1.85 inches towards the “points” of the diamond. The base has a 1.875 inch diameter post of 3 inches connected thereto with a base of 8.5 inches. Testing with the torso probe as done by first testing to see if the sides at a top of the probe which is a side opposite the 8.5 inch base touch at the opening when inserted relative to the opening. If they do not touch, then the test is passed. If they do touch, then the opposite side of the template is utilized to see if the test template is completely within the boundaries of the opening. If it is, then the test is failed. If the opening does not allow for that side to fit within the boundaries of the opening, then the partially bounded opening test is passed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a swing seat meeting current standards for public playgrounds, particularly as it relates to the standard as applied through the bounded rigid opening and partially bounded rigid opening tests. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide some embodiments of the present invention to meet the rigid bounded and/or partially bounded opening tests of Paragraphs 6.1.1 and/or 6.1.4 of ASTM F 1487. 
     It is another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a no pinch release for a safety harness to reduce an opportunity for potential pinch points and/or provide a displaced configuration to hold the harness out of the way for ingress/egress until a predetermined force is exceeded. 
     It is another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide an anthropomorphically correct support system for shoulders, waist, torso and/or head for children who desire a supportively structured swing seat. 
     It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a swing seat which provides an improved quality of play for at least some children. 
     In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a swing chair has been developed which is designed to meet the bounded rigid openings test along with the partially bounded rigid opening tests provided by the current standard. Such a construction may preferably provided in two sizes or embodiments, one for two to five year olds and one for five to twelve year olds which may be significantly differently sized children. 
     In designing a new presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, a rigid safety harness was designed to cooperate with a rigid seat construction in an effort to pass the current standard as required by the bounded rigid opening test as well as the partially bounded rigid opening test. 
     The applicant is unaware of any prior successful attempt by any manufacturer to succeed in this endeavor. In accordance with this undertaking, the applicant developed a chair configuration which is shown in the drawings and described in detail below. Specifically, two swing chairs embodiments have been created to meet these objectives while providing adequate support. In a first embodiment, a seat is configured with first and second torso supports in the form of wing like structures which may extend cantileveredly from the back of the chair forward in somewhat of a similar manner as the seat rides up around the thighs of a child when engaging in play. 
     After the child completes play in the seat, the harness can preferably be rotated about a pivot and at least temporarily lock into place. When in use, the head of a child may extend through a yoke in the harness. The remainder of the body of the child is preferably located below the harness when locked. The safety harness preferably secures a child in the seat during play. The locking mechanism may preferably include wing extensions for the two to five year old version which can assist in meeting the bounded and partially opening test issues which may otherwise be created. 
     For a larger child, a larger version of the chair has been created which may not be required with other embodiments. Wing extensions from the locking member slide may or may not be required in this model to meet the standards as a head probe can enter and exit freely from around that particular area. Also, elevated torso support extensions are provided extending from the back to assist in addressing support as well as possibly ensuring that the standards are met for this chair configuration in which is a little larger than the other embodiment. 
     The restraining devices are preferably rigid and preferably constructed to pivot at a top portion of the seat back. A cam arrangement is preferably provided so that when the harness or restrainer is pulled or rotated upwardly, it can go to at least temporarily locked or displaced position. A predetermined resistance must then be overcome in order to pull in the harness back over the head of the user so that it preferably does not inadvertently drop down onto a child while getting the child in and out of the chair. Someone also does not need to physically hold the restraint in the up configuration during this process in a preferred embodiment. 
     In order to disengage the restraining device from a locked configuration, a resiliently biased locking member is preferably provided along a covered end of a slide which is preferably overcome with a force. To unlock from a locked configuration, one disengages an extension of the locking member from a receiver, so the restraining device may then be rotated of engagement and up out of the way. A child may then exit or enter the swing seat. 
     By providing a swing chair in this manner in accordance with many of the presently preferred embodiments, an improved swing chair can be provided in the marketplace which may provide enhanced play for many people while to be the first time to meet the rigid bounded opening and partially bounded opening tests in a passing manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a top elevational view of a swing set having first and second embodiments of swing seats constructed in accordance with presently preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of a first presently preferred embodiment of a swing seat shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the seat shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the restraining harness removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a connection of the presently preferred embodiments of the swing seats to their respective chains as is shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of a connection of the chain to a lower portion of the seats as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side plan view of the seat embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a detailed plan view of a portion of the seat where it connects to the chain showing the details which assist in providing stops in a presently preferred embodiment in both seat embodiments shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side plan view cooperating portion of the retainer harness which cooperates with the seat portion shown in  FIG. 8  of the presently preferred embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  shows a side plan view the retainer removed from the seat shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a top plan view of the seat shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and  7 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a side plan view illustrating the operation of the retainer harness relative to the other seat embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in both a loaded and displaced configuration (the other illustrated embodiment preferably works similarly); 
         FIG. 13  shows a front plan view of the seat shown in  FIG. 12  with the retainer harness removed; 
         FIG. 14  shows a partially exploded view of the seat and harness shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12 ; and 
         FIG. 15  shows a cross sectional view taken along the center line of the seat shown in FIGS.  1  and  12 - 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows a portion of a swing set  10 . Specifically, bar or top rail  12  is shown with brackets  14 , 16 , 18 , 20  connected thereto to which swing chain portions  22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29  are shown connected. At the other end of sets of swing chain portions  22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , two embodiments of swing chairs  30 , 32  are connected. Details of the connections to the swing chairs  30 , 32  are shown with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6  and are discussed below. 
     Swing chairs  30 , 32  are illustrated with two separate embodiments of what is hoped to be a common invention for at least some embodiments. Both of these embodiments have been designed to meet the current standards as provided by ASTM International for Standard 1487 directed to playground equipment for public use. More particularly both meet the bounded rigid opening test and the partially bounded rigid opening test (paragraphs 6.1.1 and 6.1.4 of that standard) which is believed to be a first for a swing chair having a rigid harness as will be discussed in further detail below. The first embodiment of a swing chair  30  is shown in further detail with references to  FIGS. 2-11 , although  FIGS. 5-6 , and  8 - 9  refer to both embodiments. Similarly, the operation of the harness as is shown in  FIG. 12  is similarly applicable as it relates to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-11 . 
     In looking at a more detailed view of the swing chair  30 ,  FIG. 2  shows a rigid harness  34  in a partially disassembled state. Specifically, resilient member  36  has been removed along with slide  38  as well as bolt  40  and nut  42  which are preferably utilized to retain the slide  38  relative to post  44  such as within slot  46  so that the slide  38  can reciprocate linearly relative to post  44  but is preferably biased in a locking or loaded configuration by resilient member  36  as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The slide  36  is preferably resiliently biased in the locked configuration with extension  48  retained in at least one of the receivers  50 , 52  shown in  FIG. 4  which will be described in further detail with reference to that figure. As one may understand from referenced  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , in order to disengage the harness, the slide  38  is preferably pushed or pulled upwardly towards yoke  54  of harness  34  thereby disengaging extension  48  from one of the first or second receivers  50 , 52  and therefore allowing the harness  34  to be rotated about axis  56  upwardly and outwardly out of the way as is shown with reference to  FIG. 12  and will be explained below. This allows for the ingress and egress of children in the seat  30  with the harness in an unlocked configuration. 
     Having two receivers  50 , 52  can allow for the adjustment of the harness  34  to a desired level of comfort which may or may not be based on the size of the child utilizing the swing chair  30 . Some larger kids may select second receiver  52 ; some smaller children may select first receiver  50 . Additional receivers could be provided with other embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  shows seat  56  shown apart from swing chair  30 . Seat preferably has pelvic supports  58 , 60  which extend up above at least a portion of the pelvic area of a user along sides  62 , 64  as well as preferably at back portions  66 , 68 . Back  70  connects to base  72 . The pelvic supports  58 , 60  are illustrated extending upwardly from base  72  as well as outwardly from back  70  at back portions  66 , 68 . Towards the front of base  72  or in front of base  72  are located receivers  50 , 52  which are illustrated as extending from tongue  74  which may or may not be present in all embodiments. Tongue  74  is illustrated extending forward of seat  56  with knob  76  which may facilitate the introduction of extension  48  into at least one of the receivers  50 , 52 . 
     Extending from back  70  are first torso supports  78 , 80  and second torso supports  82 , 84  which are illustrated disposed above first torso supports  78 , 80 . First torso supports  78 , 80  are shown in  FIG. 4  and are illustrated as extending from the back  70  forwardly preferably in a cantilevered manner such as in a direction parallel to a plane containing seat  56 . Second torso supports  82 , 84  may extend along the plane of the back  70  and then forwardly in a direction at least substantially parallel to the direction of the first torso support  78 , 80 . Other configurations than this preferred configuration can also be provided with other embodiments. This configuration has been particularly attractive for reasons described below. 
     By having first and second torso supports  78 , 80 , 82 , 84  not only is support provided to the torso, but first torso supports  78 , 80  may address the lumbar or slightly higher region of a child&#39;s or other user&#39;s back while the second torso supports  82 , 84  may be more aligned to the underarm, shoulder or arm portions or other back portions of the user for support. Supports  78 , 80 , 82 , 84  may also provide advantages as it relates to passing the bounded opening or partially bounded opening tests as will be described in detail below. 
     A bounded and partially bounded opening test as provided by the current standards are passed by a presently preferred embodiment. Specifically, with the harness  34  installed in an installed configuration such as shown in  FIG. 1  at least three bounded openings are created. Specifically, see first, second and third bounded openings  86 , 88 , 90 . Bounded openings  90  and  86  are illustrated as mirror images of one another on opposite sides of the harness  34  relative to the seat  56 . Partially bounded openings may also be present. The bounded rigid opening test is first analyzed utilizing a torso probe. If the torso probe can be inserted into any of the openings  86 , 88 , 90  a depth of four inches or more, then the head probe is then inserted. The bounded openings pass this test if (1) the openings do not admit the torso probe as rotated in any rotation about its axis, or (2) the head probe can be fully inserted. By having the torso supports  78 , 80 , 82 , 84  constructed in a manner as they are, they prevent either of these two events from occurring, particularly, when taken into connection with the pelvic supports  58 , 60  as constructed and illustrated. If the opening admits a torso probe but does not admit the head probe, the test is failed. Other embodiments may have other constructions which when utilized in combination with the harness  54  prevent this test from being passed. 
     To the extent any partially bounded rigid openings are created, then the template test is also passed with the construction as shown and illustrated herewith. The template described in the background of the inventor is utilized to check partially bounded openings (openings between 1.875 and 9 inches as is described in the background of the invention. 
     In order to accomplish this or these feat(s) for a first preferred embodiment, the height from the top of second torso support to the top of pivot arm  92  is about ten inches while the height from the top of the pivot arm to the top of the pelvic support  58 , 60  is about 22 inches while the overall height from the top of the pivot arm  92  to the bottom of the base  72  is about 30 inches. Pivot arm has a diameter of roughly two and a half inches. The back  70  is preferably angled relative to the base preferably at least slightly. 
     Distances identified as measured from the back  70  are actually measured referenced to the back of the pivot arm  92 . The tongue extends out roughly 19¼ inches therefrom. The first and second torso supports  78 , 80 , 82 , 84  extend roughly 7¼ inches from the back of the pivot arm  92 , and the front chain connection points  94 , 96  extend roughly 15½ inches from the back of the pivot arm  92 . The front of the pelvic support extends roughly 17% inches from the back of the pivot arm  92 . 
     From the exterior side of the pelvic supports  62 , 64  to a center line of the tongue  74  is roughly 10¼ inches while the total width from the exterior sides of the pelvic support  62  to  64  is roughly 20½ inches. The width of the pelvic support  58 , 60  is roughly 2 inches at a top portion of the pelvic support  58 , 60 . Along the back  70  are preferably a plurality of bars  98  which preferably extend therefrom (which could also be replaced with slots in the back  70 ) which preferably provide roughly at least about 2 inches of spacing therebetween for receipt of a seat belt if utilized by a parent of a child to assist in keeping any particular child in the swing chairs  30 , 32  which may be advantageous in some situations. For this embodiment the harness  34  would preferably have a maximum width between yolk arms  100 , 102  of 10 inches. 
     A maximum width across the yoke arms  100 , 102  where connected to pivot arm  92  is roughly 15½ inches. The extension  48  is roughly half an inch and is preferably angled about 5 or 15 degrees with post  44  being angled at an angle of 15 degrees relative to yoke body  104  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Slot  46  may have a length from top to bottom of roughly 2½ inches. The yoke arms  100 , 102  may start to extend upwardly from the yoke body  104  at a spacing of roughly 5½ A inches. The combination of all these dimensions and angles have assisted in the applicant being able to meet what is believed to be the first time the standard for the bounded opening and partially bounded opening test for a rigid swing seat with a rigid harness. Other dimensions and angles may be employed to meet the test standards with other embodiments. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5  connection of the chain portion  22  to the swing chair  30  is illustrated with link  106  being constrained between washers  108 , 110  with lock washer  112  and bolt  114  extending therethrough into bore  116  which may be on boss  118 . Boss  118  may or may not extend through bore  120  while connected to upper portions of yoke arms such as yoke arm  100  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Upper portions of the connection of the yoke arms  100 , 102  connect to pivot arm  92 . 
     In looking at the other side of the yoke arm  100  where it connects to pivot arm  92  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), a lock displaced configuration may be provided in a presently preferred embodiment. Specifically,  FIGS. 8 and 9  are particularly helpful. The boss  118  (not shown in these figures) may extend through the bore  120  shown in  FIG. 10 , a recess  120  is provided on face  122  which preferably receive one of two protrusions  124 , 126  extending from pivot arm  92  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As the recess  100  is rotated and possibly provided with slants  128 , 130  which may cooperate with correspondent slants or not on the protrusions  124 , 126  so that when the harness  34  is in a loaded configuration such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12  with the harness (taken in mind that that is a slightly different configuration of harness) but shows the loaded configuration with the harness  134  in an engaged configuration when shown in the down configuration and a fully raised configuration when shown in the up position which would be understood with reference to  FIG. 12  which could also be the displaced configuration. 
     The recess  120  preferably located within protrusions  124 , 126  in these positions or configurations. When in the up position with the recess  120  cooperating with the second protrusion  126 , a predetermined amount of force is preferably required to disengage that when in the displaced configuration. When the harness  134  is rotated to that configuration, it can stay in the up position thereby providing a hands free ability to ingress and egress from the swing chairs  30 , 32 . This is also believed to be a novel feature over prior art swing chairs for at least some embodiments. 
       FIG. 6  shows a chain connection point  96  connected to link  132  of swing chain portion  24 . Bolt  136  is illustrated extending through lock washer  138  and washer  140  through bore side  64  with corresponding barrel nut  142  being received interiorly to the side  64  and providing connection with an effort to minimize a potential of pinching by a user. 
     While this embodiment has been particularly effective for children five and above, such as to twelve, smaller swing chairs may be an attractive option for smaller children. An embodiment shown in of  FIGS. 12-15  have been particularly effective for smaller children but are based on essentially the same principal as that of a larger child as it relates to meeting the standards. Swing chair  32  is shown in  FIG. 12  and has torso supports  150 , 152 . Pelvic supports  154 , 156  are also provided. It is worth observing that the distance between the pelvic supports  154 , 156  is somewhat narrower than for the other illustrated embodiment to accommodate a smaller child. Furthermore, for this size chair although additional torso supports could be utilized, and are not illustrated due to the smaller size of the chair. Instead of being the taller height as described above the distance from the pivot arm  158  to the bottom of the base  160 , roughly 28 inches in height is provided for the presently preferred embodiment. The distance from the top of the pivot arm  158  to the top of the first and second torso supports  150 , 152  can be roughly 9¼ inches. The distance to the top of the pelvic supports  154 , 156  can be roughly 18¾ inches. The torso supports  150 , 152  are illustrated extending roughly 6¼ inches from the back of the pivot arm  158 . The forward chain connection points may extend forward roughly 12 inches from the back of the pivot arm. When cooperating with the harness  134 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  1 , the rigid bounded opening test is passed. The partially bounded opening test is also passed. 
     The harness  134  may have a maximum width of 10 inches. The angularly relationship may be 5 degrees instead of 15 degrees as it relates to the angular relationship of the post  164  relative to yoke base  166  rather than the 15 degrees as is utilized in the other embodiments. Various angular relationships and dimensions could be provided with other embodiments. Other dimensions can be provided with other embodiments. Furthermore, all the parts are not required as illustrated. Omission of the second set of torso supports are illustrated and described explicitly being omitted in the smaller version directed to two to five year olds. 
     A single receiver  168  may utilize a smaller chair as the chair as is believed to be appropriately sized for smaller children. If a larger child wants to utilize a seat, they can utilize the five to twelve year old embodiment of  FIGS. 1-11  or another embodiment. In order to assist in meeting the bounded opening test, the slide  170  may be slightly differently configured than the slide  138  in that it may have first and second wings  172 , 174  extending therefrom which are believed to assist in meeting the bounded opening and/or partially bounded opening tests as provided by the ASTMs to prevent inadvertent entrapment of a child&#39;s head relative to a torso. Wings with distance across the wings as illustrated is roughly 10¼ inches whereas the other slide  38  has a maximum width of roughly 3¼ inches which could be consistent with the width of the slide  170  at its bottom portion  176 . 
     Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.