Swing play systems and methods of play

• US 9,498,689 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• 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, Mark W, Publicover, Jacob M, Publicover, Rachel C
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US14/463,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20140364254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 472118-125, 472/117, 472/128, 273/352, 273/384, 273/441, 273/448, 273/460
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 a ground surface from said support structure for reciprocating transport of a player,

c) a game target disposed for interactive play by a seated player,

d) a harness coupled to at least one of said seat, said support structure and a means for suspending the seat, the harness being operative to at least partially surround the player for restraining the players movement while interacting with said game target,

e) wherein the game target receives an object thrown or projected by the seated player.

2. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game target is mountable on said support structure.

3. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game target is mountable on said ground surface.

4. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game target is mountable on said seat.

5. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game target captures the object.

6. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the object is water.

7. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the target is a photo-detector for receiving a beam of light.

8. A playground apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the harness consists of releasable strip extending between means for suspending the one seat from the support structure.

9. A playground apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target is a large polygonal shape extending in every direction beneath the user whether the user is stationary or in oscillation.

10. A playground apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target has a primary plane and is configured with the primary plane disposed between being parallel with the ground surface and disposed orthogonal to the ground surface.

11. A playground apparatus, comprising in combination:

a. a support structure,

b. a first seat suspended above a surface from said support structure for pendulous oscillation of a first user in said seat above the surface,

c. a second seat suspended above a surface from said support structure for pendulous oscillation of a second user in said seat above the surface,

d. at least one game target disposed for interactive play by the first and second seated user, a portion of said game target being mountable on at least one of the support structure, first seat and second seat.

12. A playground apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the game target is mounted between the first and second seat.

13. A playground apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the game target is mounted above the first or second seat on a suspending member.

14. A playground apparatus, comprising in combination:

a. a support structure

b. a game target disposed for interactive play by a seated users,

c. at least one seat suspended above a surface from said support structure for reciprocating transport of a user, said seat shaped to aid in restraining the user or users for movement while interacting with said game target

d. wherein the seat provides an opening to permit the outward extension and movement of the users legs and feet to actuate the reciprocating transport of the user.

15. The playground apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the at least one seat is directly suspended above a surface from said support structure for reciprocating transport of a user, wherein the outward extension and movement of the users legs and feet to actuate the reciprocating transport of the user.

16. A playground apparatus, comprising in combination:

a) a support structure,

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

c) a game target disposed for interactive play by a seated player,

d) wherein the game target is mounted for reciprocating oscillation from the support structure.

17. The playground apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the game target is suspended from the support structure.

18. The playground apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the game target is attached to at least one of a portion of the seat and a means for suspending the seat.