Amusement devices – Roundabout – Having carrier rotating about vertical axis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-01-09
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Roundabout
Having carrier rotating about vertical axis
C472S035000, C472S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171198
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a merry-go-round apparatus that can accommodate wheel chair bound users. Moreover, the present invention involves a merry-go-round apparatus that can also accommodate non-wheel chair bound users.
2. Background of the Related Art
Merry-go-rounds are generally known in the art for enjoyment by people of all ages, especially young children. Conventional merry-go-rounds employ a rotating structure supported at its center of rotation. Typically, a vertical post is secured in the ground, and a rotational bearing fixed to the merry-go-round rotates around the fixed post. Accordingly, most conventional merry-go-rounds revolve around a point fixed to the ground or some other structure. This structural arrangement renders it difficult to relocate most merry-go-rounds to an alternate location.
Very few, if any, merry-go-rounds are designed to accommodate handicapped individuals. In particular, merry-go-rounds typically lack structure for allowing wheel chair bound persons to occupy and propel the merry-go-round in a rotational direction. As such, most known merry-go-rounds are designed for use solely by non-handicapped children.
Some merry-go-rounds have chairs in which handicapped children could be strapped. Merry-go-rounds of this type, however, normally cannot be rotated by the users strapped to the seats. Rather, this type of merry-go-round is rotated by an individual who pushes the merry-go-round while standing or running next to it.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a merry-go-round having a number of practical advantages over conventional merry-go-rounds. For example, an object of the present invention is to provide a merry-go-round capable of being used on any selected flat, hard surface without the need for a fixed point of rotation.
Another exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a merry-go-round that can be used by handicapped people, and more specifically by people in a wheel chair. Yet another exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a merry-go-round that can be driven by wheel chair bound users alone or in combination with non-wheel chair bound users.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages. Still other objects and/or advantages will become apparent after reading the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover, the advantages and purposes of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
Preferably, the present invention is directed to a merry-go-round apparatus that substantially obviates one or more of the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, one exemplary aspect of the invention comprises a merry-go-round including a rotatable platform defining at least one space for accommodating at least one individual in a wheel chair. A ramp is provided for loading in the space the individual in the wheel chair. In addition, the merry-go-round further includes at least one manually driven drive assembly for rotating the platform about an axis of rotation.
In another aspect, at least one ramp is provided for loading onto a rotatable support at least one individual on a wheel chair.
In an additional aspect, a plurality of wheels are coupled to the rotatable support to permit rotation of the rotatable support about an axis of rotation. Preferably, the manually driven drive assembly drives at least one of the wheels to thereby rotate the rotatable support about an axis of rotation.
In yet another aspect, first and second support members are provided on the rotatable platform. The first and second support members are spaced a sufficient distance apart from one another to place an individual in a wheel chair on the platform between the support members. At least one manually driven drive assembly is provided for driving at least one of the wheels to thereby rotate the rotatable platform about the axis of rotation. Preferably, the drive assembly comprises a movable drive actuator coupled to at least one of the first and second support members to permit movement of the actuator by arm movement of the individual in the wheel chair, and a transmission coupled between the moveable drive actuator and the at least one driven wheel.
In a further aspect, at least one wheel chair fastener movable between a wheel chair loading position and a wheel chair fastening position for selectively fastening the wheel chair to the platform when the fastener is in the wheel chair fastening position.
In an even further aspect, at least one passenger controlled drive assembly is provided.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
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Aviles Eilleen
Lizama Troncoso Mauricio Ambal
Santana Lopez Felix J.
Serrano David
Valentin Victor M.
Nguyen Kien T.
Patent Law Offices of Heath W. Hoglund
University of Puerto Rico
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