US20060220437A1

US20060220437A1 - Device to temporarily convert a standard chain swing into a toddler swing.

Info

Publication number: US20060220437A1
Application number: US11/307,322
Authority: US
Inventors: Jhonna Merson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-09
Filing date: 2006-02-01
Publication date: 2006-10-05

Abstract

This invention clasps onto a standard chain swing, converting it into a toddler swing. The apparatus has a cloth seat that supports the child across the back, under the arms, and both sides of the upper chest. A chest strap of nylon webbing is sewn into the seat across the back. This chest strap is adjustable and connects via a locking 3-point release safety clasp. The 3-point release safety clasp is attached to an adjustable crotch strap that is sewn into the seat, from the base of the seat to the center back of the seat. There is an additional side strap made of nylon webbing that is sewn into the seat from the right side of the device, down the inside of the seat, over the crotch strap, and up the left side of the seat. This side strap has an adjustable loop on both sides, wherein a steel clasp link is used to attach the device to a standard chain swing. An adjustable strap on the underside of the cloth seat is then secured with a side release clasp to the seat of the standard chain swing, ensuring the child will not slip off the standard chain swing seat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is three-fold: 1) temporarily convert a standard chain swing to a toddler swing when there is no toddler swing available; 2) provide a child with a transition swing when they are too old for the toddler swing yet too young for a standard swing; 3) provide additional security for a child who wants to swing higher than their guardian feels they are ready to swing.
The traditional toddler swing is a molded plastic bucket apparatus that is attached to the chains of a swing set. Oftentimes, there are either no toddler swings at the public parks or the few that are there are in use. For liability issues, most private community parks do not even offer toddler swings. Additionally, many cities keep their local school parks open for use as public playgrounds; there is no need for a toddler swing at an elementary school park. For this reason, a parent or guardian needs something that easily stores in a diaper bag or stroller and can be quickly attached to any standard chain swing, temporarily converting it to a toddler swing.
Unlike prior art devices that are attached to the child (i.e.: harness) then the child is attached to the swing, this device is attached to the standard chain swing seat. This method of attachment makes it easier to share a swing with other children. With these prior art devices, the harness has to be removed from the child, put onto the other child, readjusted, and then attached to the chain swing seat. This invention remains on the chain swing seat, the child is removed and another child is placed in the swing.
Prior art devices also rely on stretchable straps which lose tension over time, or ropes that tie which can come undone. All the straps in this device are made of nylon webbing, which will not lose tension. These straps are connected with side release clasps or 3-point safety clasps. This device relies on the strength of that webbing, the support of the spring clasp, and the break point of the 3-point clasp, which is already in use in children's products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the course of the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is the front view of the device to temporarily convert a standard chain swing into a toddler swing in accordance with the present invention. This view shows the straps of the 3-point clasp on the device attached.
FIG. 2 is the side view of the device to temporarily convert a standard chain swing into a toddler swing in accordance with the present invention. This view shows how the underside seat strap is attached.
FIG. 3 is the top view of the device to temporarily convert a standard chain swing into a toddler swing in accordance with the present invention. This view shows the device with the chest strap open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is the front view of the device. The seat (1A) is a cotton material, sewn with darts at the legs to provide a seat for the child to sit in. The child is then supported around the back, under the arms, and across the chest with the chest strap (2A). This strap, made of nylon webbing, is threaded through the connecting ends of a 3-point safety clasp (see FIGS. 3, 3B & 3C). In order to accommodate the various girths of the children using the device, additional webbing is left to provide adjustment of the chest strap (2B & 2C). The nylon webbing crotch strap (4A) is sewn from the center back of the seat, along the base of the seat, and then threaded through a tension slip lock (5A) up to the 3-point safety clasp (3A). In order to accommodate the various heights of the children using the device, additional webbing is left to provide adjustment of the crotch strap (2B & 2C). The side strap (6A) is sewn to the inside of the seat at the top right of the seat, down the side, across the crotch strap (4A), and all the way up the left side of the seat. Additional webbing is left on each end of the side strap (6B & 6C). This webbing is then threaded through a tension slip lock (7A & 7B) on each side of the seat, creating a loop in the webbing. Steel plated clasp links (8A & 8B) are then inserted into these loops, which are used to attach the device to a standard chain swing. The underside seat strap (9A) is made of nylon webbing. It loops around the seat of the standard chain swing and is attached via an adjustable side release clasp (9B)
FIG. 2 is the side view of the device. This figure shows the location of the underside seat strap (9A), which is sewn to the bottom outside of the cloth seat (1A). This strap provides an additional measure of security, ensuring the child does not fall off the seat of the standard chain swing. FIG. 2 also shows one of the steel plated clasp links (8B) in its open position. This clasp is hooked through a chain on the standard chain swing. This hook can be easily removed from the loop if the device needs to be washed.
FIG. 3 shows the device with the chest strap (2A) open and fully extended. Once the device is attached to the standard chain swing as directed in Para 9, the child is then placed in the cloth seat of the device. The crotch strap (4A) is then brought up between the child's legs. The chest strap (2A) is then secured around the child by inserting both ends of the 3-point safety clasp (3B & 3C) into the mechanism (3A). To remove the child, unclasp the 3-point safety harness (3A), allowing the crotch strap (4A) to fall free and remove the child from the seat. Another child may then be quickly placed back into the seat of the device and the crotch strap (4A) re-secured.

Claims

1. A device that when attached to any standard chain swing will temporarily convert the swing into a toddler swing.

2. Said chain swing must be comprised of 2 chain-link lines with a swing seat (either flexible or rigid) suspended between.

3. The device is comprised of a cloth seat, chest strap, continuous side strap, crotch strap, and underside seat strap.

4. The cloth seat (as stated in claim 3) is darted at the legs to create an indented seat for the child to sit in.

5. The chest strap (as stated in claim 3) is made of nylon webbing. It is secured with a 3-point clasp, with male-female ends, and is adjustable.

6. The crotch strap (as stated in claim 3) is made of nylon webbing. It is connected to the 3-point clasp via a tension lock, and is adjustable.

7. The continuous side strap (as stated in claim 3) is made of nylon webbing. It is sewn to the inside of the seat, extending from the right side, down the inside seat, across the crotch strap, and up the left side.

8. This side strap extends to either side of the cloth seat with extra webbing at both ends. The extra webbing is then threaded through a tension slip lock, creating a loop at both ends of the side strap.

9. A spring clip is attached to both sides of the side strap (as stated in claim 8) through the side strap loop (as stated in claim 8).

10. The underside seat strap (as stated in claim 3) is sewn to the underside of the cloth seat. This seat strap has a male-female side release clasp, and is adjustable on one side.

11. The device is attached to any standard chain swing in three steps: 1) clasping the underside seat strap such that the seat of the device is resting on the seat of the standard swing seat and the underside seat strap is snug with little to no slack; 2) hooking one of the spring clips (as stated in claim 9) to one of the chains in the chain-link line (as stated in claim 2), such that there is no slack in the chain-link line, and the seat of the device continuous to rest on the seat of the standard swing seat; 3) hooking the opposite spring clip to the opposite chain-link line at an equal number of chains.

12. After the device has been connected to the standard chain swing, the child is then placed in the seat of the device. The crotch strap is brought up between the child's legs and is secured to the chest strap via the 3-point safety clasp. The crotch strap and/or chest strap can then be adjusted to fit the child.