Pivoting Swing With Rotating Lock Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational swings are rigidly affixed during installation, making it impractical for users to adjust their position in response to changing environmental conditions, such as sunlight or wind direction, without physically removing and reinstalling the swing.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting swing design featuring a pivot assembly that allows 360-degree rotation and locking of a support member, utilizing a lock plate, shaft, bearing assembly, rotating arm, and lock pin to secure the position, enabling users to adjust the swing's orientation without reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the swing is rigidly affixed to the overhead member during installation, then the installation is simple and stable, but the user cannot adjust the swing's orientation after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The swing system is divided into separate functional components: a fixed lock plate attached to the overhead member, a rotatable carrying member with bearing assembly, and a locking mechanism with pin and aperture. This segmentation allows the swing to be rigidly mounted while enabling rotation and locking capabilities without requiring complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that allows 360-degree rotation through the bearing assembly, then locks into fixed positions using the lock pin and aperture mechanism. This dynamic capability provides adjustability while maintaining stability when locked, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the swing is rigidly affixed to the overhead member, then the swing is stable and secure, but the user must physically remove and reinstall the swing to change position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism with pin and aperture allows the swing to be quickly rotated to desired positions and securely locked without removal. The bearing assembly enables smooth rotation while the lock pin provides immediate securing, dramatically reducing the time and effort required compared to complete removal and reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock pin acts as an intermediary element that quickly secures the carrying member to the lock plate at desired orientations. This intermediate locking component enables rapid position changes without requiring complete disassembly, saving significant installation and repositioning time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the swing allows 360-degree rotation, then the user can access various vantage points, but the swing may rotate unintentionally without a locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into a stationary lock plate with fixed apertures and a rotatable carrying member with a lock pin. This separation allows the swing to freely rotate during positioning while providing reliable locking when the pin engages with an aperture, ensuring both range of motion and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock pin is preliminarily positioned on the carrying member, and the lock plate with apertures is pre-attached to the overhead member. As the swing rotates into position, the lock pin naturally aligns with and engages the appropriate aperture, providing automatic stabilization without requiring additional actions from the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting swing maintains a support member that is rotatably attached to pivot assembly allows the support member to be rotated in any desired position. The pivot assembly includes a lock assembly that allows the position of the support member to be retained once a desired position has been found. Flexible suspension members attach the support member to the pivot assembly, thereby allowing the support member to swing back and forth once the support member has been rotated to a desired position.