Standing playground glider
A playground glider swing is provided that allow one or more users to glide while standing on a rigid board and while grasping a rigid crossbar to assist with creating opposite momentum between the crossbar and the board. The users may stand on opposite ends of the crossbar to provide back and forth movement in a gliding motion. In this respect the present invention may be safely used by one or more children in a playground environment.
1. A glider swing assembly comprising:
a support frame adapted to support above a ground surface a first set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points;
a platform having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and a width extending along a transverse axis, the platform providing on its upper surface a first set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points;
a set of at least four flexible suspension members attached individually to each of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced support pivot points and connecting to a corresponding one of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points to suspend the platform above the ground to swing along the longitudinal axis; and
a first and second longitudinal side bars extending along the longitudinal axis to connect to respective flexible suspension members of sets of longitudinally spaced pivot points, respectively, at a height between the support frame and the platform to provide handgrips for a user standing on the platform;
wherein the flexible suspension members allow the platform and the first and second longitudinal side bars, respectively, to move relative to each other in opposing directions to promote overall swinging motion of the entire assembly.
2. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 further including a transverse spacer bar extending between the first and second longitudinal side bars.
3. The glider swing assembly of claim 2 wherein the transverse spacer bar extends across center portions of the first and second longitudinal side bars to provide an H configuration.
4. The glider swing assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second longitudinal side bars extend substantially a full length of the platform and the transverse spacer bar extends substantially a full width of the platform.
5. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the transverse separation of the first and second longitudinally spaced support pivot points is greater than a transverse separation of the first and second longitudinally spaced platform pivot points by at least three times.
6. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal separation of the first and second longitudinally spaced support pivot points is less than the longitudinal separation of the first and second longitudinally spaced platform pivot points.
7. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second longitudinal side bars are connected to the flexible suspension members at a height between 2 to 3 feet above the platform.
8. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the platform provides an oblong shaped board with a narrowed center.
9. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the length of the platform is greater than the width of the platform by at least three times.
10. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible suspension members have a length to suspend the platform at rest at least 1 foot above the ground surface.
11. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the platform comprises a polymer shell reinforced by a metal frame extending along the longitudinal axis.
12. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the support frame provides two longitudinally separated arches extending transversely and joined by at least one longitudinally extending beam.
13. The glider swing assembly of claim 12 wherein the support frame pivot points provide a swivel that swivel the flexible suspension members in two perpendicular directions.
14. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible suspension members are chains.
15. The glider swing assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second longitudinal side bars arch inwardly toward each other to provide a space therebetween that is wider between their ends than between their centers and promoting natural grip angle.
16. A glider swing assembly comprising:
a support frame adapted to support above a ground surface a first set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points;
a platform having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and a width extending along a transverse axis, the platform providing on its upper surface a first set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points; and
a set of at least four flexible suspension members attached individually to each of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced support pivot points and connecting to a corresponding one of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points to suspend the platform above the ground to swing along the longitudinal axis;
wherein the platform provides an oblong shaped board with broad surfaces at its outer longitudinal ends which narrow continuously toward a longitudinal center of the board;
wherein the length of the platform is greater than the width of the platform by at least three times and
wherein the platform comprises a polymer shell reinforced by a metal frame extending along the longitudinal axis.
17. The glider swing assembly of claim 16 wherein the metal frame comprises at least one rod attached to a bottom surface of the platform.
18. The glider swing assembly of claim 17 wherein the bottom surface of the platform carries a recess configured to receive the metal frame.
19. The glider swing assembly of claim 16 wherein the platform has rounded edges and opposed ends of the length of the platform covered with an impact absorbing material.
20. A glider swing assembly comprising:
a support frame adapted to support above a ground surface a first set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced support frame pivot points;
a platform having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and a width extending along a transverse axis, the platform providing on its upper surface a first set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points laterally separated from a second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points; and
a set of at least four flexible suspension members attached individually to each of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced support pivot points and connecting to a corresponding one of the first and second set of longitudinally spaced platform pivot points to suspend the platform above the ground to swing along the longitudinal axis;
a first and second longitudinal side bars extending along the longitudinal axis to connect to respective flexible suspension members of sets of longitudinally spaced pivot points, respectively, at a height between the support frame and the platform to provide handgrips for a user standing on the platform;
wherein the length of the platform is greater than the width of the platform by at least three times and
wherein the platform comprises a polymer shell reinforced by a metal frame extending along the longitudinal axis.