Illuminated swing

Abstract

A swing that is illuminated for a child's safety and enjoyment at night time. The illuminated swing is a self contained unit that can attach to any swing set structure. The illuminated swing is comprised of a seat, a means to suspend the seat from a swing set structure, a light source, a power source and a switch. The power source supplies power to the light source and the switch allows the light source to be toggled between the light emitting state and the off state. The light source gives the illuminated swing an illuminated or glowing appearance. In a second embodiment an illuminated swing set includes a swing set structure, a power source, a light source and a switch. Light sources are disposed along the swing set structure and internal to individual swings attached to the swing set structure. The power source supplies power to the light sources and the switch allows the light sources to be toggled between the light emitting state and the off state. The power source includes a battery, so that the illuminated swing set can operate without a connection to an electrical grid. A solar cell recharges the battery, allowing the illuminated swing set to operate for substantial periods of time without battery replacement. An electrical buss is disposed on the swing set structure to distribute power from the power source to light sources disposed away from the power source. The illuminated swing and the illuminated swing set are more enjoyable and safer to use than commonplace swings and swing sets.

1 . An illuminated swing comprising: 
 a light source; and    a power source to supply power to said light source; and    a seat upon which to sit; and    a means to suspend said seat from a structure whereby a child can use said illuminated swing during periods of darkness with increased enjoyment and safety.    
   
   
       2 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is comprised of light emitting diodes whereby said light source draws minimal power and is highly reliable.  
   
   
       3 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is disposed internal to said seat whereby light propagating from the interior of said seat to the exterior of said seat gives said seat a glowing appearance.  
   
   
       4 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is disposed internal to said means to suspend said seat whereby said means to suspend said seat is illuminated internally.  
   
   
       5 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , further including an electrical connector whereby said illuminated swing can be electrically connected to said power supply when said power supply is disposed external to both said seat and to said means to suspend said seat.  
   
   
       6 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , wherein said power source includes a battery so that said illuminated swing can be powered without a connection to an electrical grid.  
   
   
       7 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , wherein said power source is located internal to said seat whereby said illuminated swing requires no electrical connections.  
   
   
       8 . The illuminated swing of  claim 1 , further including a switch that can electrically isolate said power source from said light source whereby said light source can be toggled between the light emitting state and the non light emitting state.  
   
   
       9 . The illuminated swing of  claim 8 , wherein said switch is a pressure sensitive switch whereby said light source can be put into the light emitting state by sitting on said seat located in said illuminated swing.  
   
   
       10 . An illuminated swing set comprising; 
 a light source; and    a power source to supply power to said light source; and    a swing set structure to which said power source and said light source can be attached whereby said light source illuminates said swing set structure for increased enjoyment and safety during periods of darkness.    
   
   
       11 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , wherein said power source includes a battery so that said illuminated swing set can be powered without a connection to an electrical grid.  
   
   
       12 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 11 , further including a solar cell for recharging said battery whereby said illuminated swing set can operate for a substantial amount of time without replacing said battery.  
   
   
       13 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , wherein said light source is comprised of light emitting diodes whereby said light source draws minimal power and is highly reliable.  
   
   
       14 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , wherein said swing set structure is comprised of an overhead member and a support means to support said overhead member.  
   
   
       15 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , further including a switch that can electrically isolate said power source from said light source whereby said light source can be toggled between the light emitting and non light emitting states as desired.  
   
   
       16 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , further including a light controlled switch that isolates said power source from said light source when ambient light reaches a threshold level.  
   
   
       17 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , further including an electrical buss that distributes power from said power source to said light source whereby said light source can be disposed away from said power source.  
   
   
       18 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , wherein said light source is disposed along said swing set structure whereby portions of said swing set structure can be illuminated.  
   
   
       19 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 10 , further including a swing that is comprised of said light source, a seat, and a means to suspend said seat from said swing set structure.  
   
   
       20 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 19 , wherein said light source is disposed internal to said seat whereby light propagating from the interior of said seat to the exterior of said seat gives said seat a glowing appearance.  
   
   
       21 . The illuminated swing set of  claim 19 , wherein said light source is disposed internal to said means to suspend said seat whereby said means to suspend said seat is illuminated internally.