Rotating playground element

Abstract

A standalone playground element comprises a lower support tube defining an axis A1, a central support member defining an axis A2 and which is mounted to the lower support tube to be rotatable relative to the lower support tube, an upper stand tube mounted to the central support member to be rotatable relative thereto about an axis A3 which is canted relative to the axis A1, and a hollow member secured to a free end of the upper stand tube. The hollow member is capable of being rotated about the axis A3 and orbiting about the axis A1.

1 . A standalone playground element comprising:
 a lower support tube defining an axis A1;   a central support member mounted to the lower support tube to be rotatable relative to the lower support tube; the central support member defining an axis A2; said central support member comprising a spacer tube having a lower end lying in a first plane and an upper end lying in a second plane, said first and second planes being angled relative to each other;   an upper stand tube mounted to the central support member to be rotatable relative thereto; the upper stand tube rotating about an axis A3 which is canted relative to the axis A1; and   a hollow member secured to a free end of the upper stand tube; whereby said hollow member is capable of being rotated about the axis A3 and orbiting about the axis A1.   
     
     
         2 . The standalone playground element of  claim 1  wherein said axis A2 is angled relative to the axis A1. 
     
     
         3 . The standalone playground element of  claim 2  wherein the axis A3 is angled relative to the axis A2. 
     
     
         4 . The standalone playground element of  claim 1  including:
 a lower bearing assembly and a lower axle; said lower bearing assembly comprising a housing defining an outer race, a cone journaled about said lower axle and defining an inner race; and a plurality of bearing elements positioned between said inner and outer races, whereby said lower axle and said lower bearing assembly housing are rotatable relative to each other; said lower axle extending from one of said lower support tube and a bottom of said spacer tube and said lower bearing assembly housing being rotationally fixed to the other of said bottom end of said spacer tube and said lower support tube; and 
 an upper bearing assembly and an upper axle; said upper bearing assembly comprising a housing defining an outer race, a cone journaled about said upper axle and defining an inner race; and a plurality of bearing elements positioned between said inner and outer races, whereby said upper axle and said upper bearing assembly housing are rotatable relative to each other; said upper axle extending from one of said upper stand and an upper end of said spacer tube and said upper bearing assembly housing being rotationally fixed to the other of said upper end of said spacer tube and said upper stand tube. 
 
     
     
         5 . The standalone playground element of  claim 4  wherein said lower axle extends upwardly from said lower support tube, said upper axle extends downwardly from said upper stand tube, and said lower and upper bearing assembly houses are rotationally fixed to lower and upper ends, respectively, of said spacer tube. 
     
     
         6 . The standalone playground element of  claim 1  wherein said hollow element is sized to enable a child to fit within the hollow element. 
     
     
         7 . The standalone playground element of  claim 1  wherein said hollow element defines a closed geometric shape, with at least one opening sized to enable a child to gain entry to the interior of the geometric shape. 
     
     
         8 . The standalone playground element of  claim 7  wherein said hollow element is generally spherical in shape.