Standing Playground Glider with Crossbar Counterweight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional playground swing sets and glider swings are designed for seated users, limiting their use for training or simulation of board sports like skateboarding and surfing, and do not accommodate multiple users or allow for standing users to generate momentum effectively.

Innovation Solution

A glider swing assembly with a rigid board and a crossbar that allows users to stand and swing by grasping the crossbar, featuring flexible suspension members connecting to pivot points on both the support frame and platform, enabling coordinated motion between the board and handlebar for propulsion and stability, accommodating multiple users and preventing tipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional swing sets are designed for seated users, then the structure can be simple and stable, but it limits the use for training board sports and does not accommodate standing users effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage versatilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swing set is designed to accommodate multiple user positions (seated and standing) and multiple user configurations (single and dual riders) through a universal platform structure with handgrips and pivot points, allowing the same device to serve traditional swinging purposes and board sports training purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid board is used for standing users, then stability and momentum generation are improved, but the board may tip or bend during swinging motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestanding stabilityVSAvoidanti-tipping reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The crossbar with handgrips acts as a counterbalancing element that users can hold to generate opposite momentum, preventing the board from tipping during swinging motion. The rigid connection between the crossbar and platform creates a stable triangular support structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The弧形 (curved) design of the platform and support frame creates a stable swinging arc that naturally prevents tipping by keeping the center of gravity within a safe range during motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If flexible suspension members are used to connect the board and crossbar, then coordinated motion and momentum generation are enabled, but the connection points experience increased stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion coordinationVSAvoidconnection stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible suspension members allow dynamic relative motion between the rigid board and rigid crossbar, enabling users to generate momentum by moving their hands on the crossbar while their feet remain stable on the platform. This dynamic flexibility reduces stress by allowing controlled movement rather than rigid stress transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the crossbar is positioned at optimal height for handgrips, then user comfort and momentum generation are improved, but the overall device height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandgrip comfortVSAvoiddevice height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The crossbar extends in the horizontal dimension rather than requiring excessive vertical height, allowing users to generate momentum through horizontal hand movements while maintaining a compact overall device height. The longitudinal side bars provide structural support at the optimal handgrip height without proportionally increasing total height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables safe and effective swinging or gliding motion for one or more users while standing, promoting momentum and stability, suitable for playground use and accommodating multiple users, with the board design preventing bending and tipping.

Implementation Method 1

a set of at least four flexible suspension members attached individually to each of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced support pivot points and connecting to a corresponding one of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points to suspend the platform above the ground to swing along the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The users may stand on opposite ends of the crossbar to provide back and forth movement in a swinging gliding motion... allowing opposite directional motion of the handlebar and board to propel swinging motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMomentum: Conservation of Momentum

Data Source

PatentUS10625169B1Standing playground glider

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 BCI BURKE CO LLC

AI summary

A playground glider swing is provided that allow one or more users to glide while standing on a rigid board and while grasping a rigid crossbar to assist with creating opposite momentum between the crossbar and the board. The users may stand on opposite ends of the crossbar to provide back and forth movement in a gliding motion. In this respect the present invention may be safely used by one or more children in a playground environment.