Rotating Play Device with Angled Rings and Flexible Cords
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating play devices do not effectively accommodate children of different heights and sizes, making it difficult for them to operate and maintain a comfortable spinning motion.
Innovation Solution
A rotating play device with a central post, an upper ring, and a lower ring suspended by cords, where the lower ring can be angled and the cords are adjustable in length and spacing, allowing for varying user positions and accommodating children of different sizes and heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rotating play devices use a fixed structure, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate children of different heights and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The lower ring is made movable relative to the upper ring through flexible cords, allowing it to adjust its position and angle dynamically. This enables children of different heights to find comfortable operating positions while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of flexible elements rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changes in the angle between the upper and lower rings, as well as the distance between them, to accommodate different user sizes. The flexible cords enable the lower ring to be positioned at various angles (e.g., 3-20 degrees from horizontal) and distances, providing adaptability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the lower ring is fixed parallel to the play surface, then the structure is simple, but children of different heights cannot operate comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cords act as flexible elements that connect the upper and lower rings, allowing the lower ring to move to different positions and angles. This flexibility enables children of different heights to operate the device comfortably without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, as the cords naturally accommodate various configurations.
3Ease of operation
If the cords are rigid and fixed length, then the structure is simple, but children cannot adjust their position or generate spinning motion easily
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cords allow children to pump their body weight up and down during rotation, making it easier to generate and maintain spinning motion. The flexibility of the cords enables this dynamic movement without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms, as the cords naturally accommodate the pumping motion and translate it into rotational momentum.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cords are evenly spaced, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate children of varying sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cords are unevenly spaced around the upper and/or lower rings, creating riding positions with varying widths. This local variation in cord spacing provides platforms of different sizes, allowing children to select positions that accommodate their body size and preferred riding style, thereby enhancing adaptability without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rotating play device, such as may be mounted to a play surface of an outdoor playground. The rotating play device includes a central post and an upper framework, e.g. upper ring, rotatably mounted to the central post. The device further includes a lower ring suspended from the upper framework by a plurality of cords. During rotation about the central post, the device is configured such that one or more children may (i) stand on the lower ring and hold the upper ring, (ii) sit on the lower ring and hold one or more of the plurality of cords, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). In some embodiments, at least one of the lower ring and the upper ring may be angled to provide a varying distance between the two rings and/or the cords may be flexible such that a user may modify the distance between the lower ring and upper framework at a given riding location.