A PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a playground equipment comprising a platform for a user to sit or stand on and mounted to the ground via a first shaft and a second shaft. The shafts are connected to each other at an angle and coupled in a gear transmission system. Because of the gearing between the shafts a first rotational speed of the first shaft yields a second rotational speed of the second shaft different from the first rotational speed. The gear transmission system may comprise an epicyclic gear train such as a planetary gear system. The gear transmission system may yield a gear ratio in the range of 1.5-10 such as in the range of 3-7.

Claims

1. A playground equipment comprising a platform for a user to sit or stand on, wherein the platform is mounted to the ground via a first shaft and a second shaft, which are connected to each other at an angle, and wherein the first and second shafts are coupled in a gear transmission system with a gear ratio that is different from one another such that a first rotational speed of the first shaft yields a second rotational speed of the second shaft, which is different from the first rotational speed of the first shaft.

2-15. (canceled)

16. The playground equipment according to claim 1 wherein the shafts are coupled and rotate in opposite directions.

17. The playground equipment according to claim 1 wherein the shafts are coupled and rotate in the same direction.

18. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts are connected at an angle in the range of 5-50 degrees or in the range of 10-30 degrees.

19. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform forms an angle to the horizontal plane that is in the range of 5-50 degrees or 10-30 degrees.

20. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the gear transmission system comprises an epicyclic gear train or a planetary gear system.

21. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the gear transmission system yields a gear ratio in the range of 1.5-10 or in the range of 3-7.

22. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform is attached to the first shaft and, wherein the gear transmission system is configured such that a first rotation of the platform and of the first shaft yields a second rotational speed of the second shaft, which is lower than the first rotational speed.

23. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform is attached approximately perpendicularly to the first shaft.

24. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the second shaft is mounted approximately vertically.

25. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface for the user to sit or stand on, wherein the surface is made of a rubber material.

26. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface for the user to sit or stand on, wherein the surface is textured.

27. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises one or more grips.

28. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the platform comprises one or more protrusions and/or indentations.

29. The playground equipment according to claim 1, wherein the equipment further comprises a third shaft connected to the second shaft at an angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the following different embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the playground equipment according to the invention as seen in a side view,

[0034] FIG. 2A-B show the playground equipment in two different perspective views,

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates the playground equipment in use by a child, and

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a playground equipment in a cross sectional view where the shafts and gearing are outlined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the playground equipment 100 according to the invention as seen in a side view. The playground equipment 100 comprises a platform 101 for a user to sit or stand on, which is mounted to the ground 102 via a first shaft and a second shaft which shafts are connected to each other at an angle 103, and are coupled in a gear transmission system (not shown). The first and second shafts are placed within the housing 104. The rotational axes 105,106 of the two shafts are indicated by the dashed lines. The gear ratio of the gear transmission system is different from one such that a first rotational speed of the first shaft as indicated by the arrow 107 yields a second rotational speed of the second shaft as indicated by the arrow 108 different from the first rotational speed.

[0038] During play, a user on the platform can by use of his or hers body weight set the platform into motion wherein the platform rotates 107 with the first shaft around the first rotational axis 105, while the entire equipment then rotates 108 around the second rotational axis 106 but at a rotational different speed. The user on the platform is then both moved up and down due to the angle between the shafts, and around in circles. The gearing between the two shafts creates a very special kind of motion.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment the gear ratio is around 5 and such that the platform 101 rotates 5 times faster than the second shaft of the rotational axis 109, i.e. 5 times faster than the entire playground equipment 100 relative to the ground. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the two shafts are angled 103 approximately 5 degrees and the platform is angled 103 equivalent to horizontal.

[0040] The platform may be circular or of an oval shape and of a size such as to conveniently accommodate one teenager or 1-2 smaller children. The diameter of the platform may for example be in the range of 1.5-2.5 meters. The platform 101 may be arranged in a distance 111 above the ground, which is large enough to avoid any bystanders being somehow squeezed by the rotating platform yet small enough to prevent any severe accidents if a user falls off the platform when playing. The distance may for example be in the range of 0.20-1.0 meter or for example around 0.4 meters.

[0041] The equipment may be bolted or otherwise firmly attached to the ground for example by bolts attached to the disk 110.

[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the playground equipment 100 of FIG. 1 in two different perspective views. In FIG. 2A the playground equipment is seen in a view and at a time where the platform 101 is tilted away from the viewer. In FIG. 2B the playground equipment is seen in a perspective view a little from the above. From the figures can be seen that the platform 101 at all times is in a tilted position, but tilted in different directions as the playground equipment rotates. The housing 104 is arranged such as to completely shield off all moving parts so that there is no risk of a finger, a shoelace or the like getting caught during the rotational movement of the playground device.

[0043] The same playground equipment 100 is sketched in FIG. 3 as in use with a child 300 playing on it. Here, the platform 101 comprises an outer rim 301 which aids in defining and marking the play area, thereby helping the user to not unintentionally fall off the platform during play.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the playground equipment 100 in a partly cross sectional view. The playground equipment comprises a housing 104 consisting of two cylinders welded together at an angle. The first shaft 401 is connected to the platform 101 at its one end and coupled to the second shaft 402 at its other end in the gear transmission system 403 comprising a planetary gear. As the platform is set in motion and rotates with the first shaft 401 around the first rotation axis 105, this causes the second shaft 402 and the housing along with it to be rotated about the second rotational axis 106. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the housing is mounted on the disk via a number of rollers or wheels 404.

[0045] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all devices that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.