Abstract
A swing seat for increased capacity wherein swing extends along a longitudinal axis and the swing seat comprises a first seat portion and a second seat portion coupled to the first seat portion. The first seat portion is a safety seat having a base portion for seating a child and a support frame for supporting a child in an upright position, and the first seat portion is arranged to swing in a general swinging direction substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis. The second seat portion is arranged in line with the first seat portion along the longitudinal axis so that the first and second seat portions are both aligned to swing together in the general swinging direction.
Claims
1. A swing seat for a playground swing, wherein the swing seat extends along a longitudinal axis, said swing seat comprising: a first seat portion; and a second seat portion coupled to said first seat portion, wherein the first seat portion is a child safety seat adapted to support a child too young to be able to keep its own balance in a safe way during swinging having a base portion for seating a child, a back support that at least partially extends from the base portion towards a support frame, and the support frame for supporting the child in an upright position, wherein the first seat portion is arranged to swing in a general swinging direction substantially coinciding with said longitudinal axis, and the second seat portion is arranged in line with the first seat portion along the longitudinal axis so that the first and the second seat portions are both aligned to swing in the general swinging direction.
2. The swing seat according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seat portions are arranged such that when in use, users of the first and second seats are facing each other.
3. The swing seat according to claim 1, wherein the second seat portion is a regular seat.
4. The swing seat according to claim 1, wherein the swing seat comprises a coupling bridge extending between the first and second seat, such that the distance between the first and second seat portions is substantially fixed, and such that one seat portion does not move relative to the other during use of the swing seat.
5. The swing seat according to claim 1, further comprising a third seat portion arranged in line with the first and the second seat portions.
6. The swing seat according to claim 5, wherein the third seat portion constitutes the coupling bridge.
7. The swing seat according to claim 1, wherein the first and second seat portions are integrally manufactured from a single piece of material.
8. The swing seat according to claim 1, wherein at least a first portion of the swing seat has a first material thickness, and a second portion of the swing seat has a second thinner material thickness, said second portion constituting an impact deformation zone.
9. The swing seat according to claim 1, further comprising fastening points for attaching at least a first and a second suspension means, wherein at least one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion comprises a first and a second fastening point, and the other one of said first seat portion and second seat portion comprises at least a third fastening point; wherein the first, second and third fastening points are arranged so as to prevent rotational movement of the swing seat around the longitudinal axis when suspended via the first and second suspension means.
10. The swing seat according to claim 9, wherein the swing seat further comprises a fourth fastening point, wherein the first and the third fastening points are arranged to be coupled to said first suspension means, and the second and the fourth fastening points are arranged to be coupled to said second suspension means.
11. A playground swing comprising: at least one swing seat according to claim 1; a support structure adapted to be arranged on a base and comprising an upper portion having a longitudinal direction, suspension means attached at a first end to the upper portion and at a second end to the at least one swing seat, wherein the at least one swing seat according to claim 1 is configured to swing in a swinging axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the upper portion of the suspension means.
12. The playground swing according to claim 11, wherein the upper portion comprises at least a first mounting point and a second mounting point, and wherein the suspension means further comprises a first suspension means and a second suspension means and said first and second suspension means are attached to said first and second mounting point respectively.
13. The playground swing according to claim 12, wherein; the first suspension means comprises a first suspension element extending from a first fastening point on the first seat portion to a first intersection point and a second suspension element extending from a third fastening point on the second seat portion to the first intersection point, and; the second suspension means comprises a third suspension element extending from a second fastening point on the first seat portion to a second intersection point and a fourth suspension element extending from a fourth fastening point on the second seat portion to the second intersection point.
14. The playground swing according to claim 13, wherein each of the first and second suspension means further comprises a further suspension element extending from respective intersection point to the first and second mounting point respectively.
15. The playground swing according to claim 12, wherein the second suspension means is substantially identical to the first suspension means and symmetrically arranged relative the first suspension means.
16. The playground swing according to claim 11 wherein the at least one swing seat according to claim 1 further comprises at least two child safety seats each adapted to support a child too young to be able to keep its own balance in a safe way during swinging having a base portion for seating a child, a back support that at least partially extends from the base portion towards a support frame, and the support frame for supporting the child in an upright position.
17. The swing seat according to claim 1 wherein the child safety seat further comprises a waist frame surrounding the child around the waist and upper body of the child.
18. The swing seat according to claim 1 further comprising at least two child safety seats each adapted to support a child too young to be able to keep its own balance in a safe way during swinging having a base portion for seating a child, a back support that at least partially extends from the base portion towards a support frame, and the support frame for supporting the child in an upright position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swing seat according to an embodiment of the invention,
(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of a swing seat according to an embodiment of the invention,
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swing seat according to an embodiment of the invention,
(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a playground swing according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(6) The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the claimed invention are shown. This claimed invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the claimed invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
(7) The swing seat 1 is shown generally in FIG. 1. The swing seat's direction of travel is defined by a longitudinal axis A. Further when described as upwards and downwards and similar relative terms, it is with reference to the natural direction when the swing seat 1 is correctly mounted ready for use. It is understood that the relative directions are the same as when the swing seat 1 is in a dismounted condition. The swing seat 1 comprises a first seat portion 2, such as a safety seat 2 having a base portion 21 and a support frame 22. The safety seat 2 is arranged for an infant or a young child to be seated onto the base portion 21. The support frame 22 is arranged to hold the child in an upright position. The safety seat 2 is helpful if a child is too young to be able to keep its own balance in a safe way during swinging. The safety seat 2 further comprises a back support 23 and a leg dividing portion 24. The leg dividing portion 24 is arranged from the base portion 21 and upwards towards the support frame 22 so that a child can be seated with one leg on each side of the leg dividing portion 24. The leg dividing portion 24 prevents a child from sliding out of the safety seat 2. In FIG. 1, the leg dividing portion 24 is jointly connected and extends between the base portion 21 and the front part of the support frame 22, but it is possible that the leg dividing portion 24 is separate from the support frame 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the first seat portion 2 is arranged to be facing in a swinging direction, which coincides with the longitudinal axis A, which runs centrally through the base portion 21. The swing seat 1 further comprises a second seat portion 3. In FIG. 1, the second seat portion 3 is arranged in line with the first seat portion 2, along the longitudinal axis A. The second seat portion 3 is a regular seat, having a substantially flat seating area 31, and is adapted to suit an adult or a bigger child. The second seat portion 3 and the first seat portion 2 are joined through a coupling bridge 4. In FIG. 1, the coupling bridge 4 is seamlessly joining the base portion 21 and the seating area. The coupling bridge 4 is rigid, such that the distance between the first and second seat portions is substantially fixed, such that one seat portion does not move relative to the other during use of the swing seat. As shown in FIG. 1, the first seat portion 2 and the second seat portion 3 are arranged in line with each other. This allows a child and a parent to face each other when swinging. The first base portion 21, second seat portion 3 and the coupling bridge 4 may be level with each other such that they all lay substantially in the same plane, i.e., the first seat portion is neither significantly higher or lower than the second seat portion. Alternatively the seat portions can be arranged to be at suitable different levels to facilitate eye contact between the small child and a parent. For example, the first base portion 21 may be arranged at a plane higher up along the Y-axis relative the top surface of the second seat portion 3. Thereby, the small child's eyes in the safety seat may be closer in elevation to the eyes of the user of the second seat portion.
(8) Further in FIG. 1, it is shown that the first and the second seat portions 2, 3 comprise fastening points 27, 28, 37, 38 for attaching suspension means 5, 6. Each fastening point is arranged so that the swing seat 1 is suitably balanced when in use. In FIG. 1, the fastening points 27, 28, 37, 38 are arranged mirrored on either side of the longitudinal axis A. The first seat portion 2 comprises first and second fastening points 27, 28 arranged on a first axis B at a distance from each other; and the second seat portion 3 comprises third and fourth fastening points 37, 38 arranged on a second axis C at a distance from each other. The fastening points 27, 28, 37, 38 may however be of any suitable number and placed anywhere in order to achieve a well-balanced swing seat. The swing seat 1 in FIG. 1 is suspended via a first suspension means 5 and a second suspension means 6, each attached at a respective fastening point on one side of the longitudinal axis A. This means that the first suspension means 5 is attached at the first 27 and the third 37 fastening points, and the second suspension means 6 is attached at the second 28 and the fourth 38 fastening points. The suspension means 5, 6 each comprise a number of suspension elements, which together form a stable suspension of the swing seat 1. In FIG. 1, the first and the second suspension means 5, 6 each comprise a first and a second suspension element 51, 52, 61, 62. The first and the second suspension elements 51, 52 are respectively attached in the first and the third fastening points 27, 28 and joined in an intersection point 54. In FIG. 1, there is a third suspension element 53 attached at the intersection point 54. In FIG. 1, the second suspension means is identical to the first suspension means, and includes a third suspension element 63 attached at the intersection point 64 of the suspension elements 61, 62.
(9) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the swing seat 1. In this figure, it is clear that the design of the swing seat 1 is mirrored on either side of, or symmetrical about, the longitudinal axis A, meaning that the longitudinal axis A extends through the center of the swing seat 1. Thus, the swing seat 1 is identical on either side of the longitudinal axis A in mirrored portions. In FIG. 2, the fastening points are arranged mirrored on either side of the longitudinal axis A when seen from the top view, i.e. from a direction along an Y-axis. The first seat portion 2 comprises first and second fastening points 27, 28 arranged on a first axis B at a distance from each other, the second seat portion 3 comprise third and fourth fastening points 37, 38 arranged on a second axis C at a distance from each other. FIG. 2 also shows that the fastening points of either seat portion is arranged along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, at either side of the longitudinal axis A and at a similar distance from the longitudinal axis A. This arrangement is due to balancing of the swing seat 1 and to compensate for the weights brought onto the swing seat 1 when in use. In FIG. 2, the coupling bridge 4 is arranged and may comprise or define a third seat portion 4, in order to provide a comfortable seat. The third seat portion 4 may be suitably shaped. It may be entirely straight, round, rectangular or any other shape that may provide suitable function along with a comfortable seat.
(10) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the swing seat 1. This swing seat 1 also comprises first and second seat portions 2, 3. The swing seat 1 in FIG. 3 also comprises a coupling bridge 41, in the shape of a frame having pieces of material on either side of the swing seat 1 to connect the first seat portion 2 and second seat portion 3. The coupling bridge 41 in FIG. 3 comprises two support bars 411, 412, forming a frame which connects the first and second seat portions. The support bars are arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis A and are substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis. However, it is also possible to have a swing seat where the coupling bridge only comprises one support bar connecting the first and second seat portions at one of their respective sides, which would facilitate a user getting on the second seat portion.
(11) FIG. 4 shows a playground swing 100, wherein two swing seats 1 are mounted for use. The playground swing 100 comprises a support structure 150 having an upper portion 110 and two upright support arrangements 120. The upright support arrangement 120 is in the form of a vertical post and the upper portion 110 in FIG. 4 is a horizontal bar. The upright support arrangement 120 has a base end 121, which is shown in FIG. 4 as the lower end of the vertical post. The base end 121 is arranged on a base, floor or the ground, and is vertically arranged so as to support the upper portion 110. In FIG. 4 the upper portion 110 is in the shape of a horizontal bar, but it may be anything to which a swing seat 1 can be fastened. Each upright support arrangement 120 is arranged at either end of the horizontal bar 110. The horizontal bar comprises mounting points 131, 132 for attaching suspension means 5, 6.
(12) Further, FIG. 4 shows the swing seat 1 having differently arranged suspension means. One swing seat 1 comprises suspension means 5, 6 having a third suspension element 53, 63 extending from the intersection point 54, 64 to the mounting points 131, 132. The other swing seat 1 comprises suspension means having a first and a second suspension means 5, 6 having their respective suspension elements extending directly from the fastening points 27, 28, 37, 38 to the respective mounting points 131, 132.
(13) FIG. 4 shows a playground swing 100 wherein the upright support arrangements 120 each comprise two inclined upright support elements 122, with their respective base ends 121 arranged at a distance from each other, and the upper ends joined together. Also, a support structure 150 may be a tree or the like, and the upper portion 110 may be a tree branch or a ceiling, suitable for suspending the swing seat 1.
(14) Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to one of skilled in the art that a number of changes and modifications, or alterations to the swing seat as described herein may be made. Thus, it is to be understood that the above description of the swing seat and the accompanying drawings is to be regarded as a non-limiting example thereof and that the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.
