Anti-wrap device for swing set

• US 6,123,480 A
• Filed: 06/13/1997
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Petty, Keith, Vercell, Michael Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Application Number:
  US08/874,653
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 403/164, 403/362, 403/71, 403/78, 403/26, 403/157, 403/150, 403/119, 384/280, 384/276, 384/295, 384/416, 472/118, 472/119, 474/166
• US Class Current: 403/164
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 9/12 Special fastenings of the suspensory point
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32155 Bearing component clamped to plate or side, e.g., bolted, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32213 Articulate joint is a swivel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32975 Rotatable

Abstract

A device (10) for preventing a swing from being wrapped over a crossbar (18) of a swing set includes a base (12) and a sleeve (14) rotatably carried by the base (12). The base (12) includes a pair of collars (20) that each have a seat portion (22) bounded by a shoulder (26) at one edge. The collars (20) are attached to the crossbar (18) so that the seat portions (22) abut and cooperate to form a seat (42) that is bounded by the shoulders (26). The sleeve (14) rides on the seat (42) between the shoulders (26). The sleeve (14) is non-concentric and includes a tab (60) that angularly extends radially outwardly from the sleeve (14). The tab (60) has a hole (62) that accepts a bolt (64) that connects a chain (16) of the swing to the device (10).

Claims

1. A device for preventing a swing from being wrapped over a crossbar of a swing set, the device comprising a base including first and second collars, each of said collars having a seat portion, a shoulder extending radially outwardly at one edge of each said seat portion, each of said collars having a body portion, said body portions having an angled wall extending downwardly from said shoulder, and further having at least one mounting hole, said base having a longitudinal opening configured such that said base may be fitted on the crossbar, and a sleeve rotatably carried by said base on said seat portions, whereby the swing may be connected to said sleeve.

2. In combination, a swing set having a swing carried by a crossbar, and a device for preventing said swing from being wrapped over said crossbar, said device including a base having first and second collars, each of said collars having a seat portion and a shoulder extending radially outwardly at one edge of said seat portion, said base having a longitudinal opening configured such that said base may be fitted on said crossbar, and a sleeve rotatably carried by said base on said seat portions, said swing being connected to said sleeve.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein each of said collars further includes a body portion, said body portion having an angled wall extending downwardly from said shoulder, said body portion further having at least one mounting hole.

4. A combination according to claim 3 wherein said body portion has a notch surrounding said mounting hole, said notch having a substantially planar floor surface.

5. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said collars are mounted on the crossbar with said seat portions abutting to form a seat, said seat being bordered by said shoulders.

6. A combination according to claim 2 further comprising a tab having a hole, said tab extending outwardly from said sleeve, and a bolt passing through said hole so that the swing may be connected to said sleeve.

9. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said base and said sleeve are split into longitudinal halves that may be retrofit over an existing swing set crossbar without disassembling the swing set.

7. A device for preventing a swing from being wrapped over a crossbar of a swing set, the device comprising a base including first and second collars, each of said collars having a seat portion, and a shoulder extending radially outwardly at one edge of said seat portion, said base having a longitudinal opening configured such that said base may be fitted on the crossbar, and a sleeve rotatably carried by said base on said seat portions, whereby the swing may be connected to said sleeve, wherein said sleeve has a channel that extends partially about said sleeve such that said sleeve is non-concentric with said base.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said channel defines a pair of shoulders on said sleeve.

10. A device for preventing a swing from being wrapped over a crossbar of a swing set, the device comprising a base including first and second collars, each of said collars having a seat portion and a shoulder extending radially outwardly at one edge of said seat portion, each of said collars having a longitudinal opening configured such that said base may be fitted on the crossbar, said collars being divided into joinable halves, and a sleeve rotatably carried by said base on said seat portions, the swing being connected to said sleeve, said sleeve being divided into joinable halves.

11. A device according to claim 10 further comprising at least one nut and bolt assembly, said nut and bolt assembly joining said joinable halves of said collars.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said nut and bolt assembly clamps said joinable halves of said collars on said crossbar.

13. A device according to claim 10 further comprising a nut and bolt assembly, said nut and bolt assembly connecting said joinable halves of said sleeve.

14. A device according to claim 10 further comprising a tab having a hole, said tab extending outwardly from said sleeve, and a bolt passing through said hole so that the swing may be connected to said sleeve.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said tab extends angularly from said sleeve.

16. A device according to claim 10 wherein, when said collars are mounted on the crossbar, said seat portions abut to form a seat, said seat being bordered by said shoulders.