Concave Swing Seat Structure for Free-Directional Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swings are limited in entertainment value, difficult to manufacture, install, and use, and lack durability and safety features, particularly for children who cannot maintain the proper position or control the swing's motion.
Innovation Solution
A swing design featuring a concave central seat with a peripheral edge having tether openings, a tether system for suspension, and optional features like a drain opening, radial ribs, and ballast chambers, allowing for flexible and secure attachment and enhanced swinging motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rectangular rigid swing seats or flexible strap-like swing seats are used, then the swing structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the entertainment value is limited and users cannot swing in free directions
Solution Approach 1:
The swing body is designed with a circular perimeter allowing it to rotate and swing freely in multiple directions rather than being constrained to a fixed rectangular path. The tether system with multiple attachment points enables dynamic reconfiguration of swing trajectories, allowing diagonal, circular, and figure-eight patterns while maintaining structural simplicity through a single integrated body design.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing transitions from conventional two-dimensional back-and-forth motion to three-dimensional free-directional swinging. The circular perimeter and multiple tether openings enable movement in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal planes simultaneously, creating figure-eight and circular patterns that add spatial complexity without requiring multiple separate components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tire swings that can twist and swing in any direction are used, then swinging freedom is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and less durable
Solution Approach 1:
The swing body is segmented into functional zones: a recessed central seat portion for user support, a circular peripheral edge for structural integrity, and multiple tether openings strategically positioned at 90-degree intervals. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function while maintaining overall durability through a single molded construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing body is constructed as a one-piece molded polymeric construction combining durability with flexibility. The polymer material provides both structural strength for withstanding dynamic multi-directional forces and flexibility for safe, controlled movement, replacing traditional tire or rigid wood constructions.
3Ease of operation
If conventional swing seats are used, then manufacturing is simple, but ease of use is poor for children who cannot maintain proper sitting position or control swing motion
Solution Approach 1:
The swing body features a recessed central seat portion with a bottom surface configured to support the user's bottom, providing localized ergonomic support where needed. The circular peripheral edge and multiple tether openings are strategically positioned to enable intuitive hand-holding and body positioning, allowing children to naturally control swing motion without complex adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing design enables self-controlled motion through its circular geometry and multiple tether points. Users can naturally pump their legs and shift their weight to initiate and control swinging motion in various patterns (circular, diagonal, figure-eight) without requiring adult assistance or complex mechanical controls. The structure itself guides the motion patterns.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tether openings are added to the peripheral edge, then adaptability and safety are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall swing body maintains circular symmetry for balanced swinging, the tether openings are positioned at specific asymmetric intervals (90 degrees apart) to optimize different swing patterns. This asymmetric positioning within a symmetric form provides both manufacturing simplicity through mold-based placement and operational versatility for multiple tether configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A swing includes a body with a concave central portion defining a recessed concave seat and a peripheral edge surrounding the concave central portion. The peripheral edge includes a plurality of tether openings, each of which is adapted to receive an associated tether. A top wall extends radially outward from the recessed concave seat. An outer wall is connected to and projects downwardly from an outer end of said top wall. A peripheral groove is defined adjacent the top wall and the outer wall, wherein said plurality of tether openings each open through the top wall and into the peripheral groove. A tether system is adapted to suspend the body from an associated support member, the tether system engaged with the tether openings and at least part of said tether system located in said peripheral groove. The peripheral edge of the body can be circular, a non-rectangular polygon, or an oval or other non-circular curved shape.