Recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion

Abstract

A recreational apparatus that provides up and down motion and rotational motion is encompassed. The apparatus comprising a beam mounted on a mount, in order to achieve up and down and rotational motion. The beam comprises a seat at the first and second ends on substantially opposing sides of the mount and an impact absorption member located with each seat. The impact absorption member is a resilient ball, wherein at least part of the ball fits through a rim in the seat. According to a further embodiment, the recreational apparatus can be adjusted as the beam is capable of being located on the mount at different positions along the length of the beam.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention relates to a recreational apparatus providing up and down motion and rotational motion.STATE OF THE ART[0002]Recreational apparatus, such as see saws or teeter totters, that have both up and down motion and rotational motion are known in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672, which discloses a mount and a beam mounted at one end on the mount and having a seat at the other end. This beam is biased upwardly with a strong elastic band. However, such apparatus have disadvantages that hinder their usability.[0003]A problem with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672 is that these see saws can only be used by one child at a time and thus require more effort for the child to play on the see saw. This may represent a distinct problem to smaller children who could find it difficult to manoeuvre the see saw at all.[0004]Another disadvantage is that the see saw will only be able to handle a relatively limited range in the weight of the children playing on it. If a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention provides a rotating and up and down motion apparatus with at least two seats. This overcomes the disadvantages of the known rotating see saw because the children can use each others weight to counterbalance the see saw.

[0007]In addition, the present invention is easy to adjust to account for children of varying weights due to a quick release mechanism attaching the beam to the mount. It is therefore possible for a heavier child to play with a lighter child and subsequently the see saw can be easily adjusted by an adult or child for two lighter children to play on the see saw, or vice versa. Yet further, anchoring the see saw is less critical. This feature also allows the apparatus to be dismantled for ease of storage.

[0008]In another aspect, the seat is made up of two parts only where a resilient ball protrudes though a rim. The resilient ball forms the majority of the seat, with minimal rigid material. This maximises the bounce that is experienced by the children and contributes to the comfort. Yet further, the large soft surface area of the ball minimises the risk of entrapping the users' ankles.

Problems solved by technology

However, such apparatus have disadvantages that hinder their usability.

A problem with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,672 is that these see saws can only be used by one child at a time and thus require more effort for the child to play on the see saw.

This may represent a distinct problem to smaller children who could find it difficult to manoeuvre the see saw at all.

Another disadvantage is that the see saw will only be able to handle a relatively limited range in the weight of the children playing on it.

Furthermore anchoring of the see saw is structurally challenging because of the cantilever configuration.

Yet further, seats of known rotating see saws are relatively complex arrangements with multiple parts.

This has the disadvantage of increased manufacturing costs and difficulties.

This can be uncomfortable for the child.

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