GB2468944A - Adjustable seesaw - Google Patents

Abstract

A seesaw comprises seats 5 mounted on a lever 1, the lever 1 being pivotable about a pivot axis 6. The length of the lever 1 on each side of the pivot point 6 is adjustable by the lever 1 being movable through a supporting member 4. The seats 5 are adjustable relative to the pivot point 6 by being slidable along the lever 1. To avoid accidents the supporting part 4 engages with a shock absorber or brake located inside a base member 3. The pivot axis 6 of the lever is located above the centre of gravity of the lever 1 . The supporting part 4 may be in a shape of 180° reducing Cross Tee which slidably supports the lever 1.

Description

Flexible Seesaw This invention relates to a Flexible seesaw.

The seesaw is a common outdoor toy which has a lever suspended in the middle. A person sits at either end facing each other, pushing their feet against the ground to lift their end up or the other end down. Usually the riders' seat is mounted on the lever with a handle for each rider to hold onto as the seesaw goes up and down.

There are some disadvantages of using a conventional seesaw. These are: The lever is unstable in the balance position as the pivot point is located underneath the lever.

When the lever is in the balance position the weight on either side is equal but as one end moves down, it gains weight from the other end and makes it hard for riders to overcome the extra weight.

The conventional seesaw is inoperative for riders with different body weights as having two people with a same body weight is not always possible.

The conventional seesaw is not safe for riders as they are dependant on each other. E.g. If one of the riders hits the ground or exits the seesaw at the bottom, the other rider may fall and be injured.

To overcome the above problems, the invention presents a flexible seesaw which combines entertainment and education, making the seesaw an attractive toy. The advantages of using the flexible seesaw are: The lever stays in the balance position even if neither side has the same weight. This is because the lever's pivot point is located below its centre of gravity.

Unlike the conventional seesaw, on the flexible seesaw, as one end of the lever moves down, it loses weight and returns to the balance position; therefore the lever creates a pendular motion.

Two people with different body weights are able to play together as the seats on the lever are movable towards and away from the pivot point. The side with a smaller amount of length wou'd need more weight than the other side.

To avoid accident and increase health and safety, the seesaw will be fitted with a brake or a shock absorber. An accident would occur when one of riders fall off or exits the seesaw suddenly. The brake or the shock absorber would be triggered when the lever's acc&eration changes sudden'y.

To assist the riders to position the seats; the lever would be numbered from each end like a ruler. This would help the chi'dren to learn about weight, leverage and mechanism.

The invention will described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: I Figure 1. Shows a conventional seesaw in different position.

I Figure 2. Shows the overview of the seesaw and supporting part 4.

I Figure 3. Shows a seesaw when the seats 5 and the lever 1 are moved to a different position.

I Figure 4. Shows the position of the axis at the pivot point 4 and the centre of gravity CG.

Figurel. Shows the conventional seesaw; While the ever is in balance position the centre of gravity CG1 divides the lever into two equal parts, but as it fafls to one side, the centre of gravity moves to a new position CG2 changes the ength (dashed line) of each end.

On conventional seesaw the lever does not stay in the balance position as the pivot point is ocated below the centre of gravity.

On the flexible seesaw the axis of the ever is located above the centre of gravity CG1 this would keep the lever in the balance position and create a pendular motion.

Figure2. Shows an overview of the flexible seesaw and the parts as follow: 1. The lever is adjustable as it goes through the supporting part 4.

There are channels along the lever for securing the seats 5 onto the lever 1 and a'so the lever 1 inside the supporting part 4. The lever wiH be numbered like a ruler starting from each end.

2. The Base may be secured to the floor which would be for use in public places like parks, or may be portable with different designs for private users.

3. To reduce accidents, the axis engages with a brake or Shock absorber which is ocated inside The Base 2. The shock absorber could be of any type such as a pneumatic shock absorber. The brake or the shock absorber may be triggered by the sudden change of acc&eration if a rider faI's off or leaves the seesaw suddenly.

4. A supporting part 4 is in a shape of 1800 reducing Cross Tee. It will support the ever 1 as it goes through the larger wings and engages with a shock absorber or brake 3 on its smaller wings inside the base.

5. The seats are adjustable along the lever 1 at any position. ft is possible to have more than two seats on the ever. There are handles for riders to avoid accidents.

6. To secure the lever 1 and the seats 5, there are long screws (such as a star knob screw) 6 to secure the lever 1 inside the supporting part 4 as it passes through. The screws are used to secure the seats 5 on the ever 1.

Figure3. Shows the lever 1 and seats 5 moved to different positions and secured with a star knob screw 6.

Figure4. Shows the position of the centre of gravity CG on the lever 1 and axis X of the pivot point. By positioning the axis X above the CG, the lever 1 would stay in the balance position and create a pendular motion. To reduce accidents the Pivot point would be engaged with a shock absorber 3, which is located inside the base 2. Claim