Collapsible open top swing with leg axis offset from swing axis

Abstract

A collapsible open top swing that is free of cross supports between upper side portions of the frame to maximize access to the baby in the swing. The open top swing has a broad base by virtue of the sweeping rear legs, yet the open top swing is collapsible by swinging the rear legs toward the front legs. This swinging takes place at a leg axis that is offset from a swing axis for the swing. The front leg engages a first unit for the leg axis at a first location and engages a second unit for the swing axis at a second location rearwardly and upwardly from the first location to mechanically and visually separate the axis from each other. The front and rear legs are the same length and same shape between their proximal and distal ends to minimize manufacturing costs, yet when in a closed position the distal ends of the rear legs project beyond the distal ends of the front legs.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A collapsible open top swing, comprising: 
 a) a frame, wherein the frame includes a pair of side portions, wherein the frame includes a seat disposed between the side portions of the frame and pivotally engaged to said side portions of the frame via hangers on a swing axis;    b) wherein each of the side portions of the frame includes a lower section and an upper section, and wherein the frame is free of cross supports extending between the upper sections of the frame such that the baby swing is an open top baby swing whereby a caregiver can place a child into the seat from above the seat and from above an uppermost portion of the frame without interference from a portion of the frame;    c) wherein each of the side portions of the frame includes a pair of legs, wherein the legs are swingable relative to each other on a leg axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the legs are spread apart for supporting the collapsible open top swing upon a surface, wherein in the closed position the legs are relatively adjacent to each other to minimize space occupied by the collapsible open top swing and to maximize ease of carrying and storing the collapsible open top swing; and    d) wherein the swing axis is offset from the leg axis to visually separate a collapsibility function from a swing function while maintaining a sturdy and safe open top swing.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed near the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests, wherein each of said legs extends upwardly from said distal end to a position adjacent the leg axis and subsequently to said proximal end that is located at a position adjacent the swing axis.  
     
     
         3 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg, wherein a leg axis unit that houses the leg axis is engaged at a first position on the front leg, and wherein a swing axis unit that houses the swing axis is engaged at a second position on the front leg.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg, wherein said front leg includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the front leg is disposed near the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests, and wherein the swing axis and leg axis are adjacent to the proximal end of the front leg.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein the seat defines a front and rear of the collapsible open top swing, and wherein the swing axis is disposed rearwardly of the leg axis.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein the seat defines a front and rear of the collapsible open top swing, and wherein the swing axis is disposed rearwardly and upwardly of the leg axis.  
     
     
         7 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) the leg axis runs in a first plane vertical to a surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests;    b) one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a rear leg, wherein the rear leg includes a distal end making contact with the surface, wherein the distal ends of each of the legs is in a second plane vertical to the surface;    c) the swing axis, about which the seat swings, is disposed between the first and second planes such that a center of gravity of a baby swinging in the seat is between the first and second planes.    
     
     
         8 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg and wherein the other of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a rear leg, wherein each of the front and rear legs includes a distal end, and wherein when the front and rear legs are swung towards each other and are stowed in a compact position, the distal end of the rear leg extends beyond the distal end of the front leg.  
     
     
         9 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 8 , wherein a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the front leg is about equal to a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the rear leg.  
     
     
         10 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg and wherein the other of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a rear leg, wherein each of the front and rear legs includes a proximal end, and wherein when the front and rear legs are swung towards each other and are stowed in a compact position, the proximal end of the front leg extends beyond the proximal end of the rear leg.  
     
     
         11 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 10 , wherein a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the front leg is about equal to a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the rear leg.  
     
     
         12 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a rear leg, wherein said rear leg includes a distal end at the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests and a proximal end near the leg axis, and wherein said rear leg curves from the proximal end to the distal end to provide a swept appearance to said rear leg.  
     
     
         13 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg, wherein said front leg includes a distal end at the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests and a proximal end near the swing axis, and wherein said rear leg curves from the proximal end to the distal end.  
     
     
         14 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a rear leg, wherein said rear leg includes a distal end at the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests and a proximal end near the leg axis, and further comprising a support member running to and between the distal ends of the rear legs.  
     
     
         15 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 1 , wherein one of the legs of each of the side portions of the frame is a front leg, wherein said front leg includes a distal end at the surface on which the collapsible open top swing rests and a proximal end near the swing axis, and wherein the frame further comprises a support member running to and between the distal ends of the front legs.  
     
     
         16 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 15 , wherein said support member includes first and second portions running rearwardly and a third portion traversing the first and second portions, and wherein the third portion is disposed directly vertically underneath a portion of the baby seat to provide stability for the collapsible open top swing.  
     
     
         17 . A collapsible open top swing, comprising: 
 a) a frame, wherein the frame includes a pair of side portions, wherein the frame includes a seat disposed between the side portions of the frame and pivotally engaged to said side portions of the frame via hangers on a swing axis;    b) wherein each of the side portions of the frame includes a lower section and an upper section, and wherein the frame is free of cross supports extending between the upper sections of the frame such that the baby swing is an open top baby swing whereby a caregiver can place a child into the seat from above the seat without interference from a portion of the frame;    c) wherein each of the side portions of the frame includes a front leg and a rear leg, wherein the legs are swingable relative to each other on a leg axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the legs are spread apart for supporting the collapsible open top swing upon a surface, wherein in the closed position the legs are relatively adjacent to each other to minimize space occupied by the collapsible open top swing and to maximize ease of carrying and storing the collapsible open top swing; and    d) wherein the front leg includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal ends of the legs are closer to the swing axis and leg axis than the distal ends of the legs, wherein the distal ends of the legs support the collapsible open top swing on a surface, and wherein, when the legs are in the closed position, the distal end of the rear leg extends beyond the distal end of the front leg.    
     
     
         18 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 17 , wherein, when the legs are in the closed position, the proximal end of the front leg extends beyond the proximal end of the rear leg.  
     
     
         19 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 17 , wherein a length of the front leg is the same as a length of the rear leg.  
     
     
         20 . The collapsible open top swing of  claim 17 , wherein each of the front legs enagages a leg axis unit that houses the leg axis and engages said rear leg, and wherein each of the front legs further engages a swing axis unit that houses the swing axis and engages said hangers.