Swing drive mechanism for child's swing

Details Swing drive mechanism for child's swing Swing drive mechanism for child's swing

1998-06-24

2001-02-27

Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)

Spring devices

Torsion

C422S114000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06193224

ABSTRACT:

Generally, this invention relates to swings. More particularly, this invention relates to a drive mechanism for use in an infant's or child's swing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of swings are well known in the art. Generally, swings include a support frame, a hanger pivotally attached to the support frame, and a seat attached to the hanger. Such devices are designed to swing the seat in a pendulum motion. However, due to frictional loses and wind resistance, additional energy must be supplied to this system in order to maintain an approximately constant amplitude over time. Often manually powered or electrically powered drive mechanisms are utilized to supply the lost energy.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, one prior art swing, which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,113 to Mitchell et al. The device to Mitchell et al. is a swing assembly that includes a swing drive mechanism (
10
). The swing drive mechanism (
10
) has a drive sleeve (
12
) rotatably mounted to an axle (
14
) that operatively supports the hanger, not shown. A drive flange (
16
) is mounted on the axle (
14
) with a drive flange coupling device (
18
) positioned between the drive sleeve (
12
) and the drive flange (
16
) to provide a limited lost motion connection. The drive flange coupling device (
18
) includes a hub member (
20
) coaxially and rotatably mounted on the axle (
14
) and at least one torsion spring, shown as a pair of torsion springs (
24
a
,
24
b
), mounted coaxially on the hub member (
20
). A crank, not shown, driven by a motor, not shown, is commonly linked to the drive sleeve (
12
) through a channel (
26
) to oscillate the drive sleeve (
12
) .
Although the above disclosed device has substantially advanced the art, it has been found that further advancements could still be made. For instance, the swing drive mechanism to Mitchell et al. has at a minimum a total of six parts: the drive sleeve (
12
), the pair of torsion springs
24
(
a
) and
24
(
b
), the hub member (
20
), the drive flange (
16
), and the axle (
14
). Further, the swing drive mechanism (
10
) requires additional mechanisms to couple the swing drive mechanism (
10
) with the hub, not shown. In addition, other mechanisms are needed to secure the drive sleeve (
12
), the torsion springs (
24
a
,
24
b
), the hub member (
20
), and the drive flange (
16
) on axle (
14
).
Secondly, although the device to Mitchell et al. provides superior performance over other swing drive mechanisms, it has been found that the assembly operation of such devices is somewhat complicated. Accordingly, the various elements are prone to being misassembled. As such, it would be desirable to provide a swing drive mechanism that maintains the superior performance as disclosed in Mitchell et al. while also being configured to simplify the assembly operation and minimize the opportunity for misassembly.
In light of the above, one skilled in the art can appreciate that it would be desirable to provide a swing drive mechanism that minimizes frictional loses and minimizes the overall size of swing drive mechanisms. However, in addition, it would also be desirable to have a swing drive mechanism that reduces the overall number of parts required as well as reduce the opportunity for misassembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a swing drive mechanism that reduces the number of separate parts needed.
It is a further object of this invention to provide the swing drive mechanism with features that simplify the assembly process.
It is still a further object of this invention is to provide the swing drive mechanism with features that reduce undesirable wear and friction.
It is an additional object of this invention to achieve the above advantages without increasing the amount of space occupied by the swing drive mechanism.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, these and other objects and advantages are accomplished as follows.
The present invention provides a swing drive mechanism for use in an infant's or child's swing. Swings commonly include a support frame having at least one hanger pivotally connected to the support frame. Often the hanger is in turn attached to a seat. The seat is thus permitted to oscillate along an arcute path approximating pendulum motion. The energy required to start and maintain the pendulum motion of the swing is commonly supplied by manual energy, such as a wound coil spring which is wound by the user, or by electrical energy, which operates an electrical motor. However, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the novel aspects of the present invention are equally applicable to swings regardless of the energy source utilized.
The swing drive mechanism of the present invention generally includes an input mechanism, a torsion spring member connected to the input mechanism, and an output mechanism associated with the input mechanism and interacting with the torsion spring member. The torsion spring member of this invention includes a first portion having a length. In addition, the torsion member has a second portion parallelly disposed and distanced apart relative to the first portion. The second portion also has a length. Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are approximately equal in length.
The output mechanism of this invention includes an axle and a drive flange attached to the axle. The axle also includes a mechanism for reducing friction between the output mechanism and the torsion spring member disposed on the drive flange. The swing drive mechanism of this invention includes an input mechanism. The input mechanism includes a spring securement mechanism. In addition, the input mechanism includes an axle engagement member disposed proximate to the spring securement mechanism. Further, the input mechanism includes a crank engagement mechanism proximate the axle engagement mechanism. Preferably, the spring securement mechanism, the axle engagement mechanism, and the crank engagement mechanism are integrally formed together. However, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the various novel aspects of this invention may be achieved without integrally forming these members together.
The worker assembling the above disclosed invention is provided with an uncomplicated assembly process. First, the user may secure the torsion spring member with the spring securement mechanism on the input mechanism. Next, the worker will associate the input mechanism with the output mechanism. The input mechanism is retained with the output mechanism by the axle engagement mechanism. Then, the input mechanism is operatively connected with the crank by the crank engagement mechanism. One skilled in the art can appreciate the above disclosed invention provides a multitude of advantages. First, the swing drive mechanism of the present invention substantially reduces the number of separate parts necessary for assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the swing drive mechanism includes an input mechanism, and output mechanism and a torsion spring member. Accordingly, the present invention has substantially reduced the number of separate parts utilized in manufacturing the swing drive mechanism.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the swing drive mechanism includes a mechanism to reduce friction that occurs between the torsion spring member and the output member within the swing drive mechanism. Accordingly, the amount of energy supplied to the swing drive mechanism is reduced. Also, the opportunity for failure due to wear is similarly reduced.
Another advantage found in the swing drive mechanism of this invention is that the swing drive mechanism minimizes the amount of space occupied by the swing drive mechanism. Preferably , the torsion spring member has a first portion and an second portion approximately equal in length. Since, the spring gradient achievable for a torsion spring member is dependent upon the length of the torsion spring member, having

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Swing drive mechanism for child's swing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Swing drive mechanism for child's swing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Swing drive mechanism for child's swing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2601119