Playground platform rocker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing playground swings and glider swings often require riders to use their legs to propel momentum, which can be challenging for individuals with mobility issues, and they typically do not accommodate wheelchairs safely or efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A playground rocker design featuring a rigid platform suspended by broad flexible belts from lateral side rails, allowing the platform to sway smoothly side to side. This design includes handles for upper body movement, loading and unloading docks for wheelchair accessibility, and a weight on the underside to promote slower and smoother movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional swings use chains or ropes for suspension, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the movement is not smooth and gentle enough for wheelchair users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional chain or rope suspension with broad flexible belts that wrap around the wheelchair frame and platform. These belts provide a larger contact area and smoother distribution of forces, enabling gentle and smooth swaying motion suitable for wheelchair users while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, then accessibility is improved, but the platform width increases reducing the number of users per row
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into multiple broad flexible belts distributed along the lateral sides of the platform. This segmentation allows the platform to be wider to accommodate wheelchairs while distributing the load across multiple suspension points, maintaining structural efficiency and allowing optimal spacing between rows.
3Ease of operation
If the platform allows free swaying motion, then the riding experience is pleasant, but the risk of falling increases for wheelchair users
Solution Approach 1:
The broad flexible belts act as cushioning elements that gradually absorb and distribute forces during swaying motion. This beforehand cushioning provides a gentler, more controlled movement experience while reducing sudden jerks that could cause wheelchair users to fall, thereby improving both comfort and safety.
4Speed
If the platform moves faster, then the swinging action is more engaging, but the movement becomes less smooth and more jarring
Solution Approach 1:
The broad flexible belts inherently dampen high-frequency vibrations and smooth out rapid movements. Even when the platform swings at higher speeds, the flexible belts maintain smooth motion by distributing inertial forces across their broad surface area, preventing jarring effects while preserving engaging swinging action.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The playground rocker provides a gentle and smooth swaying motion that is accessible to riders in wheelchairs, promoting centering of the rider's center of gravity and minimizing the risk of falling, while allowing for safe and easy mounting and unmounting.
Implementation Method 1
broad flexible belts extending continuously along substantially full lengths of the lateral side edges of the platform with the upper edges of the belts wrapped around the side rails and lower edges attached or wrapped along the lateral side edges of the platform. The broad flexible belts allow the rigid platform to sway smoothly side to side
Implementation Method 2
The rigid platform may also be weighted on an underside to promote a slower and smoother movement
Data Source
AI summary
A playground rocker provides a rigid platform with lateral side edges suspended from side rails extending along the lateral side edges of the rigid platform. The rigid platform is suspended using broad flexible belts extending along substantially full lengths of the lateral side edges of the platform with the upper edges of the belts wrapped around the side rails and lower edges attached or wrapped along the lateral side edges of the platform. The broad flexible belts allow the rigid platform to sway side to side in a direction generally perpendicular to the side rails.