Play swing systems and methods of play

• US 20050049055A1
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jacob M. Publicover, Mark W. Publicover, Rachel C. Publicover
• Original Assignee: Jacob M. Publicover, Mark W. Publicover, Rachel C. Publicover
• Inventors: Publicover, Jacob M., Publicover, Rachel C., Publicover, Mark W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,282,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/118
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2009/006 Playground structures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/18 Badminton or similar games with feathered missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 9/00 Swings

Abstract

A play swing system includes a safety harness attached to each seat, as well as other features for interactive and competitive throwing and tossing games. The safety harness may incorporates various games features, and thus encourage use in activities that require at least one free hand, or otherwise increase the risk of slippage and falling from the play swing seat. Various embodiments accommodate as well as challenge the spatial perception, dexterity and reflexes of players of different ages. For examples, younger players might compete by throwing objects at a fixed target mounted on the ground. In other embodiments, the target is moving in synchronization with the oscillatory motion of the adjacent players swing by a physical coupling or attachment. Interactive play is encouraged at the higher skill levels by configuring the targets associated with adjacent seats to face each other. In this embodiment, the players oscillate in opposite directions so that they are closest to the target when the relative velocity is highest. The objects of the associated games can be building a higher score, as well as soaking the other player(s) with water supplied by an external source and actuated by instantaneous or accumulated contact of a throwing object with a target.

Claims

1. A playground apparatus, comprising in combination:

a) a support structure,

b) at least one seat suspended above the ground surface from said support structure for reciprocating transport of a player,

c) a game target disposed for interactive play by a seated player, said game target being mountable on at least one of the ground surface, said support structure and said seat,

d) a harness coupled to at least one of said seat and said support structure and surrounding the player for restraining the players movement while interacting with said game target.

2. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game target receives an object thrown or projected by the seated player.

3. A playground apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the game target captures the object.

4. A playground apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the object is water.

5. A playground apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the target is a photo-detector for receiving a beam of light.

6. A play swing seat comprising:

a) A supporting bottom portion,

b) supports for suspending the play swing seat for pendulous oscillation above the ground,

c) a harness for restraining the player in the seat,

d) a storage vessel attached to said swing for containing throwing accessories accessible to the player in the seat.

7. A play swing seat comprising:

a) A supporting bottom portion,

b) supports for suspending the play swing seat for pendulous oscillation above the ground,

c) a harness for restraining the player in the seat,

d) a water supply attached to said swing, said water supply having an inlet port and an outlet port, with a control valve connecting said water supply and the outlet port, the control valve accessible to the swinging player.

8. A method of interactive play on a playground type swing apparatus, the method comprising:

a) providing one or more seats having a restraining harness,

b) providing at least one target,

c) seating a player,

d) positioning the restraining harness around the player,

e) initiating oscillatory motion of the restrained player,

f) interacting with the target by the restrained player.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of the player interacting with the target comprises the player directing an object at the target.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of the player interacting with the target comprises the player throwing an object at the target.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of the player interacting with the target comprises the player directing a light source at the target.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of the player interacting with the target comprises the player directing a water jet or spray at the target.

13. A method of interactive play on a playground type swing apparatus, the method comprising:

a) providing two or more seats,

b) providing at least one target associated with at least one of the two of the seats,

c) seating players in two or more seats,

d) restraining a player in at least one seat,

e) interacting with the target by the restrained player.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of interacting with the target comprises directing an object at the target associated with the adjacent seat.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the object is a projectile.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the object is a water stream.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of interacting with the target comprises directing a light beam at the target associated with the adjacent seat.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of initiating oscillatory motion in opposing directions such that at least two adjacent seats come in close proximity while moving in opposite directions.

19. A swing comprising:

a) a seat,

b) suspending supports coupled to said seat for the pendulous oscillation of said seat above the ground,

c) a bubble maker coupled to at least one of the swing assembly, said suspending supports and said seat to distribute bubbles during the oscillation of said seat.

20. A swing comprising:

a) a seat,

b) suspending supports coupled to said seat for the pendulous oscillation of said seat above the ground,

c) a water jet coupled to at least one of the swing assembly, said suspending supports and said seat to spray water during the oscillation of said seat.