TWO-PERSON PLAYGROUND SPINNERS AND ROCKERS

Abstract

A playground spinner or rocker is configured so that two children may share the spinning or rocking motion while in a face-to-face relationship, thereby promoting social play and attunement. The playground spinner or rocker includes a base that defines a first seating compartment and a second seating compartment, with each seating compartment being configured to hold a single child. The base also includes a dividing wall that extends between and separates the first seating compartment and the second seating compartment. The dividing wall serves as a barrier that helps provide each child with a defined sense of personal space, thereby facilitating play by children having autism spectrum disorder.

Claims

1. A playground spinning or rocking device comprising: a substantially circular base configured to hold two children in a face-to-face relationship with one another, the base comprising: a first seating compartment and a second seating compartment, each of the first and second seating compartments comprising at least an upward-facing surface and a backrest; and a dividing wall extending between the first seating compartment and the second seating compartment; and a support structure, the base being mounted to the support structure in a way that permits rotation of the base about a central axis or rocking of the base to and fro; wherein the device is configured for a child occupant of the first seating compartment and a child occupant of the second seating compartment to share the spinning or rocking movement while in a face-to-face relationship, while each still having a defined personal space.

2. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, in which each seating compartment further comprises a seating surface that is elevated above the upward-facing surface.

3. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, in which each seating compartment further comprises a foot support positioned opposite the backrest.

4. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the backrest of each of the seating compartments comprises a curved transition portion that transitions into the dividing wall.

5. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the first and second seating compartments and the dividing wall together make up an entire interior surface area of the base.

6. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 5, wherein the first and second seating compartments are substantially identical to one another but in an opposite orientation.

7. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the backrest of each seating compartment forms a portion of a peripheral wall of the base.

8. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 7, in which each seating compartment further comprises a foot support positioned opposite the backrest, and wherein the foot support of each seating compartment also forms a portion of a peripheral wall of the base.

9. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first peripheral wall portion and a second peripheral wall portion, in which the first peripheral wall portion includes the backrest of the first seating compartment and a foot support of the second seating compartment, and the second peripheral wall portion includes the backrest of the second seating compartment and a foot support of the first seating compartment.

10. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 9, wherein an upper surface of the first peripheral wall portion and an upper surface of the second peripheral wall portion are each curvilinear.

11. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 9, wherein an access opening to the first seating compartment is positioned between a first end of the first peripheral wall portion and a second end of the second peripheral wall portion, and an access opening to the second seating compartment is positioned between a second end of the first peripheral wall portion and a first end of the second peripheral wall portion.

12. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 11, wherein the access opening to the first seating compartment is positioned directly across from the access opening to the second seating compartment.

13. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein a height of the dividing wall is greater at each end than in a center.

14. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, further comprising one or more drainage channels that direct water off of the base, apertures through which water exits the base, or both.

15. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, further comprising one or more handles configured to facilitate access onto the base from a user in a wheelchair.

16. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 3, wherein the foot support of the first compartment is positioned immediately across the dividing wall from the backrest of the second compartment and vice versa.

17. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 16, wherein the dividing wall is curved to provide each seating compartment with a greater width adjacent the backrest than adjacent the foot support.

18. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein each backrest is concavely curved to provide a child with an exterior sidewall.

19. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the base is rotatably mounted to the support structure and configured to rotate 360 about the central axis.

20. The playground spinning or rocking device of claim 1, wherein the base is mounted to the support structure by one or more springs and configured to rock in a to and fro motion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] A clear conception of the advantages and features of one or more embodiments will become more readily apparent by reference to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a playground spinner in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a playground rocker in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a playground spinner in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the device in use by two children.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a base for a playground spinner or rocker in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to playground spinners 100 and rockers 200. The spinners 100 and rockers 200 of the present disclosure may utilize the same base 10, which is configured to seat two children in a face-to-face relationship. A spinner 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. A rocker 200 that utilizes the same base 10 as the spinner 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Another embodiment of a base 10, which could be utilized in a spinner 100 or rocker 200 in accordance with the present disclosure, is illustrated in FIGS. 6-7.

[0032] A spinner 100 is configured so that a person may spin the base 10 such that it undergoes one or more, and typically multiple, 360-degree rotations about a central axis. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including for instance a non-occupant pushing or pulling the base about a portion of the arc (e.g. by temporarily holding a portion of a peripheral wall of the base), an occupant pushing off from the ground before pulling his or her foot up into a compartment of the base, or both. In some (non-illustrated) embodiments, e.g. where the central rotation axis is angled other than vertical, rotation of the spinner 100 may also be initiated by the one or two occupants shifting their weight. The number of rotations will depend on the amount of force used by the occupant(s) and/or non-occupant(s).

[0033] A rocker 200 is configured so that the base 10 may be made to rock in at least a to and fro motion. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including for instance by one or more occupants shifting their weight forward and rearward. A non-occupant may also push or pull the base in a particular direction to initiate the to and fro rocking motion, an occupant may push off from the ground to initiate the to and fro rocking motion before pulling his or her foot up into a compartment of the base, or both. The number of to and fro rocking movements will depend on the amount of force used by the occupant(s) and/or non-occupant(s).

[0034] The spinner 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes a base 10 and a support structure 50 to which the base is mounted in a way that provides for a 360-degree rotation of the base about a central axis. The rocker 200 shown in FIG. 4 includes a base 10 and a support structure 60 to which the base is mounted by one or more springs 61 in a way that provides the base with a to and fro rocking motion. Although the springs 61 are shown as being externally accessible, it is also contemplated that the springs may be covered and thereby rendered inaccessible to a user of the playground in which the rocker 200 is installed. Moreover, other spring 61 configurations and arrangements are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The support structure 50, 60 is configured to be non-removably mounted to a play surface, e.g. a play surface of a playground, and to extend upward from the play surface.

[0035] The base 10 may be made of a plastic material and may, as shown in the illustrated embodiments, consist of a single, integral molded component (although multi-component bases are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure). The base 10 may also be circular or substantially circular when viewed from above/below, as is typical for playground spinning device.

[0036] The base defines and comprises a first seating compartment 11 and a second seating compartment 12. Each of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 is designed and configured to hold a single child occupant. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 may be identical or substantially identical. In other (non-illustrated) embodiments, however, the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 may be configured to provide two different experiences.

[0037] Each of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 comprises an upward-facing surface 13 and a backrest 14. In some embodiments, including for instance that illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the backrest 14 may extend forward on an exterior side of the seating compartment 11, 12, thereby providing a side wall that helps secure a child occupant of the seating compartment within the compartment during the spinning or rocking motion. As also shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the backrest 14 may also extend forward on an interior side of the seating compartment 11, 12, which can help provide a child occupant of the seating compartment with an enhanced sense of personal space. In some embodiments (including e.g. that shown in FIGS. 1-3), for example, the backrest 14 may be concavely curved, such that a child is at least partially received/enveloped, which may provide both physical security (particularly in the case of a child with a motor disability) and a mental/emotional sense of security. Further, as may best be seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, the backrest 14 may be sloped/angled rearward, thereby providing a child occupant with a secure and comfortable seating position.

[0038] Each compartment may also include a defined seat surface 15 in the area immediately in front of the backrest 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for example, each seating compartment also comprises a defined seat surface 15, which may for instance be elevated above the upward-facing surface 13. In other embodiments, including for instance that illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, the upward-facing surface 13 may itself serve as a seat surface.

[0039] Each of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 also comprises a foot support 16. The foot support 16 may be located opposite the backrest 14, such that the seating compartment spans lengthwise between the two. The region of the seating compartment 11, 12 adjacent the backrest 14 may be referred to as the head-side of the seating compartment (because the compartment is configured for a child occupant to sit with his/her head at that end) and the region of the seating compartment adjacent the foot support 16 may be referred to as the foot-side of the seating compartment (because the compartment is configured for a child occupant to sit with his/her feet at that end).

[0040] The base 10 also comprises one or more peripheral walls 17. In some embodiments, the backrest 14 of each seating compartment 11, 12, the foot support 16 of each seating compartment, or both may form part of a peripheral wall 17. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the backrest 14 of the first compartment 11 forms part of a first peripheral wall 17a and the backrest of the second compartment 12 forms part of a second peripheral wall 17b. Similarly, the foot support 16 of the first compartment 11 forms part of the second peripheral wall 17b and the foot support 16 of the second compartment 12 forms part of the first peripheral wall 17a. In other (non-illustrated) embodiments, however, the backrest 14, the foot support 16, or both of each compartment 11, 12 may instead be a separate structure and may for example be at least partially surrounded by a peripheral wall 17.

[0041] Each of the first and second peripheral walls 17a, 17b may span between a first end 21 and a second end 22. The portion of the peripheral wall 17 near the first end 21 may at least partially define (or surround) the backrest 14 of one of the two seating compartments 11, 12 and the portion of the peripheral wall near the second end 22 may at least partially define (or surround) the foot support 16 of the other one of the two seating compartments. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the portion of peripheral wall 17a near the first end 21 (i.e. the first side of peripheral wall 17a) defines the backrest 14 of the first seating compartment 11 and the portion of peripheral wall 17a near the second end 22 (i.e. the second side of peripheral wall 17a) defines the foot support 16 of the second seating compartment 12. Similarly, the portion of peripheral wall 17b near the first end 21 (i.e. the first side of peripheral wall 17b) defines the backrest 14 of the second seating compartment 12 and the portion of peripheral wall 17b near the second end 22 (i.e. the second side of peripheral wall 17b) defines the foot support 16 of the first seating compartment 11.

[0042] The spaces between the opposing ends of the first and second peripheral walls 17a, 17b may serve as access openings 18 to each of the first and second compartments 11, 12. In the illustrated embodiments, for instance, the space between the first end 21 of the first peripheral wall 17a and the second end 22 of the second peripheral wall 17b may form an access opening 18 to the first seating compartment 11. Similarly, the space between the first end 21 of the second peripheral wall 17b and the second end 22 of the first peripheral wall 17a may form an access opening 18 to the second seating compartment 12. In this way, the base 10 may be configured for a first child to enter the first seating compartment 11 through a first access opening 18 and for a second child to enter the second seating compartment 12 through a second access opening. In some embodiments, including for instance the illustrated embodiments, the first and second access openings 18 may be positioned directly across from one another, though other arrangements are also contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] In some embodiments, including that illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 for example, the free edge of the upward-facing surface 13 of each seating compartment 11, 12 that is positioned at the access opening 18 may be flat, such that a child moves directly onto the upward-facing surface 13 without climbing over any lip. This may facilitate the transfer of a child from a wheelchair into the seating compartment 11, 12 through the access opening 18. In other embodiments, including that illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 for example, the free edge of the upward-facing surface 13 of each seating compartment 11, 12 that is positioned at the access opening 18 may include an upwardly-curved lip. The upwardly-curved lip may provide additional security to a child once he or she is situated in the seating compartment 11, 12, but may make it more difficult for a child in a wheelchair or other mobility-assistance device to access the seating compartment.

[0044] The peripheral walls 17 may take on any of a variety of shapes, with the main requirement being that the peripheral wall 17 is of sufficient height to hold the child occupants of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 within each respective compartment during the spinning or rocking motion of the device 100, 200. In some embodiments, including for instance that shown in FIGS. 1-3, each peripheral wall 17 may have a substantially consistent curvature, rising upward from both the first end 21 and the second end 22 to a maximum height which is located at or near the center of the wall. In other embodiments, including for instance that shown in FIGS. 6-7, each peripheral wall 17 may be configured to rise upward from the first end 21 to a first height and to rise upward from the second end 22 to a second height, with the first height (positioned about the head-side of one of the seating compartments 11, 12) being greater than the second height (positioned about the foot-side of the other one of the seating compartments). By having the side of the peripheral wall 17 that defines (or surrounds) a backrest 14 positioned higher than the side of the peripheral wall that defines (or surrounds) a foot support 16, the head-side and the foot-side of each seating compartment 11, 12 may be visually distinguished.

[0045] The first seating compartment 11 and the second seating compartment 12 may be separated by a dividing wall 19. The dividing wall 19 extends between and separates the first seating compartment 11 and the second seating compartment 12, thereby serving as a barrier that helps provide each child with a defined sense of personal space. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, for instance, the dividing wall spans lengthwise from the head-side of each seating compartment to the foot-side of each seating compartment.

[0046] The height of the dividing wall 19 may be selected so that the dividing wall provides adequate separation of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 to prevent undesired contact (e.g. kicking) between a child occupant of the first seating compartment and a child occupant of the second seating compartment, while still allowing the child occupants of the first and second seating compartments to see each other's faces, make eye contact, and experience a social, shared enjoyment of the spinning or rocking motion during use. In some embodiments, for instance, the dividing wall 19 may extend between about 5 inches and about 15 inches, alternatively between about 6 inches and about 12 inches, above the upward-facing surfaces 13 of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for example, the dividing wall 19 may also have a curvilinear shape with a varying height. In other embodiments, however, including for instance the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6-7, the dividing wall 19 may have a substantially consistent height along its length.

[0047] In some embodiments, including that illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for example, the dividing wall 19 may also extend farther upward at its ends, such that it provides the occupants of the first and second seating compartments 11, 12 with a greater feeling of personal space, particularly in the area around their body and head. For instance, an end of the dividing wall 19 and the backrest 14 of each seating compartment may together form the concavely curved transition portion 23. As described above, the concavely curved transition portion 23 may be configured to partially surround and/or envelop the body of a child occupant. This may provide some children, and particularly some children with autistic spectrum disorders, with an enhanced feeling of security, and/or may help children with motor disabilities safely utilize the spinner or rocker.

[0048] The dividing wall 19 may also comprise one or more handles 24, which may be shaped and configured for a child to grasp during the spinning or rocking motion. The handles may be located at the ends of the dividing wall, which are each positioned adjacent the head-side of one of the two seating compartments 11, 12. The backrest 14 may include a similar handle, particularly where it extends forward to provide an exterior sidewall on the other side of the seating surface 15, as shown for example in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

[0049] In some embodiments, the dividing wall 19 may extend in a straight line. In other embodiments, however, the dividing wall 19 may be curved. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, for instance, the dividing wall 19 may be curved to provide each seating compartment 11, 12 with a greater width at the head-side end of the compartment than at the foot-side end of the compartment. This may provide a child with a more comfortable seating space, while also helping to visually distinguish between the seating side and the footrest side of each compartment. The curvature of the dividing wall 19 may best be observed in FIGS. 2 and 7. The degree of curvature may be selected to provide a desired user experience. For instance, the degree of curvature of the dividing wall 19 is significantly more pronounced in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 than in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

[0050] The base 10 may further include one or more drainage channels 25 that direct water off the base, apertures 26 through which water exits the base, or both. The exact configuration and positioning of these channels 25 and/or apertures 26 may be selected to provide for water drainage in one or more desired locations. Examples of such drainage channels 25 and apertures 26 are shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 6-7, respectively.

[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be configured to facilitate and promote usage by children that are in wheelchairs or other mobility devices. In some embodiments, for example, the upward-facing surface 13 of the seating compartments 11, 12 may be positioned at substantially the same height as a standard wheelchair seating surface, which allows a child to more easily transfer from the wheelchair seating surface to the seating compartment of the base 10. Some embodiments of the spinner or rocker may also include one or more handles 27 configured to facilitate access onto the base from a user in a wheelchair. The one or more handles 27 may be positioned on the upward-facing surface 13 of the seating compartment 11, 12, on a peripheral wall 17 that border an access opening 18 to the seating compartment, or both. An example of such a handle 27 is shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-7.

[0052] The base 10 of embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured so that a child occupant of the first seating compartment 11 and a child occupant of the second seating compartment 12 are positioned in a face-to-face relationship. This promotes and enables social play and attunement. Because each seating compartment 11, 12 is clearly defined, i.e. by physical structures such as a dividing wall 19, the spinners 100 and rockers 200 of the present disclosure deter undesirable contact enhance a child occupant's sense of security, thereby promoting and enabling usage (and socialization) by children having autism spectrum disorder.

[0053] Moreover, each seating compartment 11, 12 may be configured to provide a secure and comfortable seating arrangement for children having motor disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, thereby promoting and enabling usage by a broader range of children than conventional spinning and rocking devices. Further, by placing the upward-facing surface 13 of the seating compartments 11, 12 at substantially the same height as a standard wheelchair and by providing access openings 18 and optionally handles 27 that facilitate transfer from a wheelchair into each of the seating compartments 11, 12, embodiments of the present disclosure promote and enable usage by a broader range of children than conventional spinning and rocking devices.

[0054] It can be seen that the described embodiments provide unique and novel playground spinners 100 and rockers 200 that have a number of advantages over those in the art. While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.