Amusement devices – Swing – Motor operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-07-03
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Swing
Motor operated
C472S125000, C297S273000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254490
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a unique and useful automatic swinging device and more particularly to a swinging device that will maintain the natural rhythm of the swinging motion without the feel of any forced motion or any effort from the passenger.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The relaxation afforded by sitting and swinging on a porch swing is unsurpassed as one of life's great pleasures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,136 issued to Wu discloses a swing chair device for young children which has a simplified control/drive mechanism. However, this device has no natural swinging rhythm, no angular or magnitude adjustment, cannot swing independent of the motor control mechanism and has forced unnatural motion forward and backwards. In addition, the swing chair device is uncomfortable due to a maintained fixed motion, as well as noisy due to the drive mechanism being at nearly head-level and close to the user's ear. U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,339 issued to Kattwinkel et al discloses a typical prior art swing device for rocking furniture. Although U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,339 claims natural rhythm and magnitude or angular adjustment, this device has limited magnitude adjustment, features limited movement and features friction losses due to the backwards freewheeling motor during 100% of the return cycle. Furthermore, since the swing is mechanically connected 100% of the time with the motor, wheel and bar, true natural rhythm cannot be achieved since the passengers mass and momentum would have to rotate through the rack and pinion arrangement during conventional swinging (without the motor/controller device). In addition, this device uses microprocessors and sensors which increase the chance for simple electronic failures, both are very susceptible to lightning damage and both require specialized parts for replacement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,429 issued to Ogbu is also another prior art device, however it provides no magnitude adjustment and also does not provide for natural rhythm in the swing. The disadvantages of this device include an unsightly and bulky device for any kind of furniture, duplicate motor/drive mechanisms for each side of the device and having to maintain a battery charge. In addition, the device in question will have pronounced wobbling if there are any minuet differences in the motor characteristics such as speed or wattage/horsepower. U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,450 issued to Pad disclose a typical prior art swing device for rocking furniture. Although U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,450 claims natural rhythm and angular adjustment, it is somewhat crude producing a loud impacting and humming noise as a result of the plunger on a solenoid engaging. Also, over-swinging during a light swing setting would result in mechanical restrictions resulting in pronounced discomfort. Additionally, varying weights of the passenger will change the angle of the swing appreciably.
None of these previous efforts, however, provide the benefits intended with the present invention or method. The present invention provides a product that is directly marketable to the consumer. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein.
Accordingly, there is a pressing need for a novel and useful automatic swing device, preferable used with porch swings or the like, that is designed and configured for the passenger in order to maintain the natural rhythm of the swinging motion of the particular swing without the feel of any forced motion or any effort. In addition, the composition of the instant invention is simple in design, includes a minimal number of components in order to innately reduce and/or eliminate the possibility of component failure.
Thus, as can be seen, the present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device by accomplishing the needs and objectives as identified herein, through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an automatic swinging device with a natural rhythm of the swinging motion that, in one embodiment is adapted to be installed in standard household ceiling joints on sixteen-inch centers. This swinging device of the present invention is ideally suited for use with a conventional porch swing, but can be utilized with other seat apparatus that would benefit from an automatic swing device attached thereto. It is further noted that the present invention is described as being attached to an existing ceiling, but the embodiment can be altered so that the automatic swing device is installed in a freestanding main frame. Such an arrangement will provide for a transportable swinging unit.
The swinging device of the present invention includes a base frame having four members that form a substantial rectangular configuration. Enhancing the frame, each member has an L-shape configuration. It is noted that the four members forming the base frame can be fabricated from conventional angle iron and it has been used to produce favorable results. However, other material, having substantially the same shape and structural strength, such as plastic, or reinforced plastic, can be used in placed of the angle iron.
Located at each end of the base frame is a standard pillow block bearing. This pillow block bearing is used to support a main shaft used in the support of a conventional swing, such as a two/three person swing used on a porch, gazebo or the like.
Secured to the top of the frame is a motor base for accepting and maintaining a conventional motor. This motor is secured via conventional means, such as the use of brackets, welding or the like to the motor base. The conventional motor is a 120 VAC fractional horsepower gear motor that is mounted and secured on the motor base.
Coupled to the motor is the swing assembly. This swing assembly enables the conventional swing to automatically rock continuously and with no effort from the user.
Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to design and configure a novel, useful and unobvious swing device that can be coupled to a conventional swing apparatus, such as a porch swing or the like, which will swing continuously at an unimpeded natural rhythm requiring no effort by the user.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a swinging device which will overcome the deficiencies, shortcomings, and drawbacks of prior swinging devices and methods thereof.
Still another object of the instant invention is to incorporate into the design a conventional swing with a much smoother and quieter ride, and one that will operate independently of the motor.
Another object is to provide for a means of magnitude adjustments from maximum through minimum swinging angles.
Yet another object of the present invention is to design and configure the device so that it can be installed in standard overhead building construction practices with only a 120 VAC receptacle required. Optionally, the present invention can also be designed as a freestanding unit wherein the frame can be a stand that houses the motor and swing assembly.
A further object of the present invention is to design and configure a device so that it is comprised of only one electrical device to inherently reduce costly repair/service calls.
As seen, other prior art devices use sophisticated electronic control circuits and sensors which are often susceptible to lightning and other problems as well as being difficult to service and costly to repair due to specialty parts replacement. Another object of the instant invention is to provide for a conventional swing device that enables the swing, attached thereto, to operate independently of the motor.
Another object of the present invention is to minimize the duration of the added energy
Lawson Ronald David
Lawson Sydney William
Carnes Cona & Dixon
Nguyen Kien T.
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