Rotating climbing unit
AssigneeLandscape Structures Inc.
InventorThomas L. Keller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotating playground device is presented. The rotating playground device comprises a frame configured to rotate, wherein rotation is initiated by a force applied to the frame. The rotating playground device also comprises a braking system configured to limit a speed at which the frame rotates. The rotating playground device is permanently mounted within a playground environment, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a ground point.
Claims20
A rotating playground device for installation within a playground environment comprising:
- a frame configured to rotate about a rotation axis, wherein rotation is initiated by a force applied to the frame, wherein the frame comprises a substantially flat seating structure configured to rotate about the rotation axis;
- a braking system configured to limit a speed at which the frame rotates about the rotation axis, wherein the braking system is a progressive braking system configured to apply an increasing break force as the frame rotates about the rotation axis at increasing speeds;
- and
- wherein the rotating playground device is permanently mounted at a mounting location within the playground environment, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a below-ground point at the mounting location.
A rotating climbing unit configured for installation within a playground environment, the rotating climbing unit comprising:
- a frame comprising a plurality of frame components, the frame being configured to rotate about a rotation axis when a force is applied to the frame;
- a substantially flat seating area, configured to accommodate a user, configured to rotate about the rotation axis, the substantially flat seating area being located within the frame;
- a mounting location within the playground environment, wherein the rotating climbing unit is mounted at the mounting location, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a below-ground point at the mounting location;
- a mechanical propulsion system configured to translate a force applied to the frame into rotational motion of the rotating climbing unit, wherein rotational motion comprises the rotating climbing unit rotating about a central axis;
- and
- wherein the mechanical propulsion system is configured to apply a brake force that increases with an increasing speed of the rotating climbing unit.
A rotating playground unit comprising:
- a mounting point configured to couple to a permanent installation point within a playground environment, wherein the rotating playground unit is permanently mounted at the mounting point;
- a frame configured to couple to the mounting point, the frame being configured to rotate about a rotation axis in response to an applied force, wherein the frame comprises a substantially flat seating structure configured to rotate about the rotation axis;
- and
- a progressive brake system, coupled to the frame, configured to apply a mechanical brake force, wherein the mechanical brake force is configured to limit a rotational speed of the spherically-shaped rotating playground unit, and wherein the mechanical brake force is configured to increase with respect to the rotational speed;
- and
- wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a below-ground point at the mounting location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.