CA1182138A - Sympathetic swing - Google Patents

Abstract

A B S T R A C T

This invention relates to a swing which is particularly suitable for enabling a normal or less handicapped person to assist a handicapped person to achieve swinging movement. A connecting member such as a pair of double crank arms joined by a crank shaft transmits swinging movement from the swing used by the normal person to the swing used by the handicapped person.

Description

This invention relates to a swing. Many handicapped persons are unable to achieve the swinging movement of a playground swing. They are therefore deprived of both the physical and emotional benefit of a playground swing.
The object of this invention is to provide a swing which can be used even by a handicapped person. The principles of this invention are also applica~le to providing a swing for infants too young to achieve a satisfactory swinging motion.
In accordance with this invention, the swing has a conventional supporting frame. A connecting member such as a pair of double crank arms joined by a crank shaft is mounted on the supporting frame for movement about a substantially horizontal axis. The double crank arms therefore pivot in unison about the axis of ~he crank shaft.
Flexible suspending means join swing seats to each of the double crank arms. One of the seats is for use by a normal or less handicapped person whose swinging causes pivoting of the ccnnecting member and consequent swinging movement of the other swing seat. Such other swing seat will usually include a back support for a handicapped person. As an optional additiona:L feature, a rope or similar pulling means is joined to the supporting frame above the swing seat for the use of handicapped persons having sufficient upper body strength to assist in achieving the swing action.
Referring now to the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of this invention:
Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a swing in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the swing shown in Figure 1.
~ Figure 3 is an end elevation view similar to Figure 2 but showing the swing in use.
Figure 4 is a detail sectional elevation view on the line 4-4 in Figure 1.
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L3~3 The swing illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 has a conventional supporting frame including horizontal frame member 10, and end frame members 11, lla, 12 and 12a~
Frame members 11 and lla are sloped and connected at their upper ends as shown in Figure 2 to give stability.
A connecting member is pro~ided by crank shaft 13 having a pair of double crank arms 14, 14a, 15 and 15a at each end. Lugs 16 receive suitable pivot pins 17 which pivotally engage bosses 19 at the outer ends of each of the double cranks. Similarly a central boss 18 is secured to crank shaft 13. Lugs 20 have pivot pins 21 which pivotally engage bosses 19.
Double crank arms 15 and 15a have a swing seat 22 connected to double crank arms 15 and 15a by a pair of chains 23 and a U-shaped bracket 30 which engages a link 31 illustrated in Figure 4 and having a bearing 32 to receive connecting pin 33, and an aperture 34 for connection with chain 23. A swing seat 24 is provided by the lower part of a looped rope 25 to which is connected a series of ropes 26 sloping in one direction and an intersecting series of ropes 27 sloping in the opposite direction to provide a back support for a handicapped person. Swing seat 24 is connected to double crank arms 14 and 14a using U~shaped brackets 30A and links 31a similar to those described above and double S-hooks 35.
When the normal or less handicapped person swings on seat 22 the movement will be transmitted to double crank arms 15, thence through crank shaft 13 to double crank arms 14a and then to swing seat 24 as illustrated in Figure 3.
As an optional additional feature, a polyurethane covered cable, rope or other pulling means 28 may freely hang from the end of lateral extension bar 29 connected to frame member 10 above seat 24. A handicapped person having sufficient upper arm strength can use the 3~3 -- 3 ~

polyurethane covered cable 28 to assist in the swinging action. For convenience of illustration cable 28 and bar 29 has been shown angled to one side in Figure 1.

Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A swing comprising a supporting frame, a connecting member mounted on said supporting frame or pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis, said connecting member including a first downwardly extending portion and a second downwardly extending portion for pivotal movement in unison therewith, and swing seats joined to each of said first and second downwardly extending portions by flexible suspending means, whereby a swinging movement of one of aid swing seats causes pivoting of the connecting member and consequent swinging movement of the other swing seat.

2. A swing as in claim 1 in which one of said swing seats and its associated flexible suspending means is constructed to provide a back support for a handicapped person.

3. A swing as in claim 2 in which a pulling means is joined to a lateral extension from the supporting frame above the swing seat constructed for the handicapped person and such pulling means hangs free so that such person can assist in the swinging action by pulling on the pulling means.

4. A swing as in claim 3 in which the pulling means is a protectively coated cable.

5. A swing as in claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the connecting member is a crank shaft having double crank arms at each end, said double crank arms providing the first and second downwardly extending portions.

6. A swing as in claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the connecting member is a crank shaft having double crank arms at each end, said double crank arms providing the first and second downwardly extending portions and in which pivotal connections on said crank shaft provide the mounting for pivotal movement of said connecting member on the supporting frame.