Amusement devices – Roundabout – Having carrier rotating about vertical axis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-06
2001-11-20
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Roundabout
Having carrier rotating about vertical axis
C472S033000, C472S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319135
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to amusement rides. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a manually-operated merry-go-round for children.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many types of amusement equipment provided for public parks, school playgrounds and other children's play areas. One piece of equipment which has retained popularity for many generations is the merry-go-round. Unfortunately, because of poor design and/or construction which leads to improper use, the merry-go-round has directly or indirectly caused many serious accidents. A safe, durable, manually-operated, uncomplicated and “fun” merry-go-round would certainly be a welcomed addition to the art.
The prior art is replete with variations of merry-go-rounds. For example U.S. Pat. No. 120,585 (Hirons), U.S. Pat. No. 247,858 (Thoni), U.S. Pat. No. 555,338 (Rodehafer), U.S. Pat. No. 639,386 (Hile), U.S. Pat. No. 836,016 (Doner) , U.S. Pat. No. 1,070,105(Blount) and U.S. Pat. No. 1,588,941 (Chapman) show manually operated merry-go-rounds. However, the bases of the merry-go-rounds are not supported in concrete and may be prone to tilt over under certain conditions. Further, no provision is made to prevent participants from wandering in the path of the revolving ride or swing structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,174,407 (Glen), British Patent 1,496,877and German Patent 34 30 282 A1 disclose swings wherein a mechanism employs potential energy of the weight of the swings occupants to provide rotating energy. There is no teaching that the supporting shafts are reinforced and embedded in concrete or that any provision is made to deter collisions with errant participants.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,965,039 (Hunt), U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,042 (Klopf et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,606 (Ehrman) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,588 (Lien) disclose amusement devices that are motorized and require trained operators.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 334,788 (Blankenagel) shows an ornamental design for a merry-go-round. There is no discussion as to the base support structure.
German Patent number 1,807,816 shows a merry-go-round fixed on the base of a transport vehicle.
None of he above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a manually operated merry-go-round as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to a merry-go-round apparatus for children. As contemplated, the apparatus is adapted to be installed in a playground or play area. The merry-go-round includes a rotating shaft which is mounted on a support shaft. The support shaft employs a unique anchoring system which is encased in concrete thereby providing a stable and safe support for the apparatus. A spin ring is attached to the rotating shaft such that the speed of the merry-go-round may be controlled by a person(s) manually rotating the spin ring. A pair of seats are suspended on chains at diametrically opposite sides of the apparatus. Each seat is equipped with a seat belt or strap. A circular barrier is disposed between the spin ring and the seats to prevent the person(s) at the ring from inadvertently wandering into the path of the rotating seats. Since the person manually rotating the merry-go-round is often a parent with a toddler, a mesh netting is provided on the barrier to prevent the toddler from crawling into the path of the rotating seats.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide amusement apparatus in the form of a merry-go-round for children.
It is another object of the invention to provide a merry-go-round which employs a superior anchoring system.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a merry-go-round wherein the rotating speed is manually controlled.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a merry-go-round which has safety features for protecting all participants.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 120585 (1871-11-01), Hirons
patent: 247858 (1881-10-01), Thoni
patent: D. 334788 (1993-04-01), Blankenagel
patent: 555338 (1896-02-01), Rodehafer
patent: 639386 (1899-12-01), Hile
patent: 836016 (1906-11-01), Doner
patent: 938283 (1909-10-01), Smith
patent: 1070105 (1913-08-01), Blount
patent: 1174407 (1916-03-01), Glenn
patent: 1588941 (1926-06-01), Chapman
patent: 1965039 (1934-07-01), Hunt
patent: 3397881 (1968-08-01), Hedgecock
patent: 4973042 (1990-11-01), Klopf et al.
patent: 5709606 (1998-01-01), Ehrman
patent: 5795235 (1998-08-01), Ullrich et al.
patent: 5954588 (1999-09-01), Lien
patent: 1807816 (1970-05-01), None
patent: 3430282 A1 (1986-02-01), None
patent: 1496877 (1978-01-01), None
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