US2726085A - Rotating seesaw - Google Patents

Description

V. L. BRAND ROTATING SEESAW Dec. 6, 1955 Filed June v19, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheerl l IN V EN TOR.

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V. L. BRAND ROTATING SEESAW Dec. 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1955 INVENTOR.

L, SQA/v0 TTOIVEYS United States Patent Office 2,726,085 Patented Dec. 6, 1955 ROTATING sEEsAw Virgil L. Brand, Sutherland, Nebr. Application June 19, 195s, senat No. 362,763 4 Claims. (Cl. 272-30) This invention relates to merry-go-rounds and more particularly to a simplified or toy merry-go-round that does not require power for its operation and can be adapted for use by a single occupant, if desired.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a merry-go-round of simplified construction which is easy to erect and requires no power other than thatprovided by the occupant or occupants thereof for its successful operation; which has aseat movable in an orbit around a xed vertical axis and resiliently supported for up and down movement to provide an occupant with the sensation of riding a running or bucking horse; which provides a seat on which an occupant, such as a small child, is safely supported; which can be mounted directly on the ground or on a platform, as may be desired; and which is strong and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, safe and entertaining to use, and neat and attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a merry-go-round illustrative of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the merry-goround;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 5 5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a transverse cross sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

With continued reference to the drawings, the 1nerrygo-round has a center post 19 which may be conveniently provided from a section of iron pipe of sufcient diameter having at one end an annular, external flange 11 provided with angularly spaced apart apertures. In the operative position of the merry-go-round the other end of the center pipe 1@ is embedded in the ground or suitably secured to a permanent or movable platform in a manner to support the pipe in upright or vertical position.

A top plate 12 is mounted on the top end of the center post 1) and provided with angularly spaced apart apertures registering respectively with the apertures in the flange 11 and bolts 13 extending through registering apertures in the top plate and the post flange firmly secure the top plate on the top end of the center post. The top plate is provided with an upper bearing receptacle 14 in the form of a cylindrical boss extending upwardly from the top plate and with a lower bearing receptacle 15 disposed below the top plate and secured thereto by a sleeve formation 16 extending between the lower bearing receptacle and the lower surface of the top plate. An antifriction ball or roller bearing 17 is mounted in the upper bearing receptacle 14 and a similar anti-friction ball or bearing 18 is mounted in the lower bearing receptacle 15.

A shaft or journal 20 extends through the bearings 17 and 18 and is supported by the bearings for free rotation about a substantially vertical axis and a nut 21 is threaded onto the lower end of the shaft 20 below the lower antifriction bearing 18. This nut bears against a thrust Washer 22 which in turn bears against the bottomend of the inner race of the lower anti-friction bearing 18 the shaft being provided with an annular collar 23 resting on the upper end of the inner race of the upper bearing 17 so that the two antifriction bearings can be preloaded and adjusted to. take up wear. The upper end of the shaft 2? is attened and apertured to provide an apertured lug formation 24 of rectangular cross sectional shape at the top end of the shaft.

A bracket 25 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 29 and comprises an elongated, tubular socket 26 and a pair of apertures lugs 27 and 2S extending perpendicularly from the socket near one end of the socket and disposed at respectively opposite sides of the lug 24 on the upper end of the shaft 20. A pivot bolt 29 extends rough the registering apertures in the lugs 24, 27 and 28 and pivotally connects the bracket 25 to the upper end of the shaft 20 for tilting or rocking movement of the bracket about an axis perpendicularto the rotational axis of the shaft.

An elongated, tubular arm 30 has one end inserted in the socket sleeve 26 and is secured in the socket sleeve against movement relative thereto by suitable means, such as the set screw 31 threaded through a tapped hole in the socket sleeve and bearing at its inner end against the arm 30, the arm Si? being tiltable about the axis of the pivot bolt 29 and rotatable about the axis of the shaft 20.

A iiat platform 32 is disposed perpendicular to the center post 10 below the top flange 11 on the center post and has a rounded notch 33 in the edge thereof adjacent the center post, the edge of which notch extends partly around the center post. Rollers 34 and 35 are journaled on the platform 32 with their rotational axes substantially perpendicular to the platform and adjacent the notch 33 and these rollers project outwardly of the notch sufficiently to bear against the outer surface of the center post at locations spaced apart circumferentially of the center post. L- shaped braces 37 and 38 are secured at their lower ends to the platform 32 at the respectively opposite corners of the platform along the edge thereof remote from the center post 10, and these braces extend perpendicularly upward from the platform and have their upper ends disposed substantially parallel to the platform and interposed between the lugs 27 and 28 respectively and the lug 24. These braces are provided near their upper ends with apertures receiving the Vpivot bolt 29 so that the platform 32 is supported by the braces from the pivot bolt and bears against the center post 10.

A sleeve 40 receives the tubular socket 26 intermediate the length of the socket and is secured in position on the socket by suitable means, such as the set screws`41 and 42 threaded through tapped holes in the sleeve and bearing at their inner ends against the outer surface of the socket 26. Apertured lugs 44 and 45 extend perpendicularly from the sleeve 40 medially of the lengthy ofthe sleeve and in spaced'apart and substantially parallel relationship to each other and a top abutment plate 46 is disposed below the lugs 44 and 45 and provided with apertured lugs 47 and 43 extending upwardly therefrom in spaced apart and substantially parallel relationship to eachother anddisposed between the lugs 44 and 45 on the sleeve 40, A pivot bolt 49 extends through the registering apertures in the lugs A4:4, 45, 47 and 4S and pivotally connects. the upper abutment plate 46 to the sleeve 40.

The platform 32 is provided between the lower ends of the braces 37 and 38 with an aperture 50 and a tubular stem 51 extends slidably through the aperture 50 and carries a lower abutment plate 52 on its upper end. A coiled compression spring 53 is disposed between the upper abutment plate 46 and the lower abutment plate 52 and resiliently supports the arm 30 in position such that the longitudinal center line of the arm is substantially at right angles to the pivotal axis of the pivot bolt 29 and the rotational axis of the shaft 20. The stem 51 is provided with a series of diametrically extending apertures 54 spaced apart longitudinally thereof and a stop pin 55 is extended through selected apertures of this series and bears at its ends on the upper surface of the platform 32, as illustrated in Figure 4, to adjustably position the stem 51 relative to the platform 32 to support the arm 30 in proper position and to compensate for variations in the weight of occupants or passengers carried by the arm at the outer end thereof.

A seat structure 56 is mounted on the outer end of the arm 30 and comprises a flat body shaped to simulate a hobby horse in outline secured at one side to the outer end of the arm by suitable means, such as the external, annular flange 57 secured on the outer end of the arm and the bolt 58 extending through angularly spaced apart apertures in this flange and corresponding holes in the body 60. A flat seat 61 is mounted on the upper edge of the body 60 above the outer end portion of the arm 30 and is disposed substantially parallel to the arm and a handle pin 62 extends through the body 60 above and forwardly of the seat 61 and is disposed substantially parallel to the seat.

With this arrangement, an occupant seated on the seat 61 will straddle the body 60 and can grasp the handle pin 62 at the opposite sides of the body to hold himself rmly and-safely on the seat. The spring 53 will be adjusted so that the occupants feet will touch the ground with a very light pressure but sufficient to enable the occupant to propel the seat structure around the center post 10. As the occupant exerts pedal effort on the ground below the seat structure 56 the variations in weight of L the occupant on the seat incident to this effort will cause the seat structure to rise up and down giving the occupant the sensation of riding a running or bucking horse or pony.

The device can he easily modified to carry two or more seat structures, if desired, but operates in an entirely satisfactory manner with a single arm and seat structure, as illustrated.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. 'I'he present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device of the merry-go-round type comprising: a stationary structure including an upright post part at least of which is of exteriorly circular cross section; and a rotary structure carried by the stationary structure and including a shaft journaled in the post for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, an arm extending laterally from and hinged to the shaft to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, rider support means on the arm spaced longitudinally thereof from the hinge axis, a platform suspended from the shaft and including rollers engaging said part of the post for rolling of the platform about the post, and means connected between the platform and a portion of the arm spaced longitudinally of the arm from said hinge axis, including a compression spring tensioned to resiliently oppose downward swinging of the arm by a supported rider.

2. An amusement device of the merry-go-round type comprising: a stationary structure including an upright post part at least of which is of exteriorly circular cross section; and a rotary structure carried by the stationary structure and including a shaft journaled in the post for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, an arm extending laterally from and hinged to the shaft to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, rider support means on the arm spaced longitudinally thereof from the hinge axis, a platform suspended from the shaft and including rollers engaging said part of the post for rolling of the platform about the post, and means connected between the platform and a portion of the arm spaced longitudinally of the arm from said hinge axis, including a compression spring tensioned to resiliently oppose downward swinging of the arm by a supported rider, said last named means being adjustable longitudinally of the arm at the location of its connection thereto'.

3. An amusement device of the merry-go-round type comprising: a stationary structure including an upright post part at least of which is of exteriorly circular cross section; and a rotary structure carried by the stationary structure and including a shaft projecting upwardly from the upper end of the post and journaled in the post for rotation about a substantiallyjvertical axis, an arm extending laterally from and hinged to the shaft to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, rider support means on the arm spaced longitudinally thereof from the hinge axis, a pair of braces connected at one end to and depending from the shaft alongside the post, a platform connected to the other ends of the braces and including rollers engaging said part of the post for rolling of the platform about the post, and means connected between the platform and a portion of the arm spaced longitudinally of the arm from the hinge axis, including a compression spring tensioned to resiliently oppose downward swinging of the arm by a supported rider.

4. An amusement device of the merry-go-round type comprising: a stationary structure including an upright post part at least of which is of exteriorly circular cross section; and a rotary structure carried by the stationary structure and including a shaft projecting upwardly from the upper end of the post and journaled in the post for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, an arm extending laterally from and hinged to the shaft to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, rider support means on the arm spaced longitudinally thereof from the hinge axis, a pair of braces connected at one end to and depending from the shaft alongside the post, a platform connected to the other ends of the braces and including rollers engaging said part of the post for rolling of the platform about the post, and means connected between the platform and a portion of the arm spaced longitudinally of the arm from the hinge axis, including a compression spring tensioned to resiliently oppose downward swinging of the arm by a supported rider, said last named means including a sleeve shiftable longitudinally of the arm to selected positions along the arm, the spring being pivotally joined to said sleeve at one end of the spring, the platform having an opening, a stem extending through the platform opening, an abutment plate carried by the stem and supporting the other end of the spring, the stem having a longitudinal series of apertures, and a stop pin removably engageable in a selected aperture of said series and bearing against the platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED `STATES PATENTS 1,429,289 Maxwell et al Sept. 19, 1922 1,832,755 Waddell Nov. 17, 1931 2,527,763 Probst Oct. 3l, 1950 2,544,589 Cummings Mar. 6, 1951

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