Swing designed to promote attunement between child and caretaker

Abstract

The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swing for promoting attunement between a caretaker and child comprising:
 a framework comprising a U-shaped arch that spans between a first end and a second end, an upper portion of the arch comprising one or more suspension points by which the framework may be suspended from a support structure;   a seat positioned at the first end of the U-shaped arch, the seat being configured to be occupied by a caretaker of a child;   at least a support that assists a child in sitting upright positioned at the second end of the U-shaped arch;   wherein the swing is configured to provide a caretaker and a child with a shared swinging motion in a face-to-face relationship.   
     
     
         2 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the framework is a piped framework. 
     
     
         3 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped arch comprises a first arch element and a second arch element, and wherein the seat is configured such that the caretaker is positioned between the first and second arch elements. 
     
     
         4 . The swing of  claim 3 , wherein the support that assists a child in sitting upright is configured such that the child is positioned between the first and second arch elements 
     
     
         5 . The swing of  claim 4 , wherein the U-shaped arch further comprises one or more stabilizing bars spanning between the first arch element and the second arch element. 
     
     
         6 . The swing of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more stabilizing bars comprises a first stabilizing bar positioned between the first end of the U-shaped arch and a top of the U-shaped arch and a second stabilizing bar positioned between the second end of the U-shaped arch and the top of the U-shaped arch. 
     
     
         7 . The swing of  claim 6 , wherein the framework is a piped framework. 
     
     
         8 . The swing of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the one or more suspension points is positioned at the upper portion of the first arch element and at least one of the one or more suspension points is positioned at the upper portion of the second arch element. 
     
     
         9 . The swing of  claim 8 , wherein the framework is suspended from a support structure by chains affixed to the suspension points. 
     
     
         10 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the U-shaped arch and the second end of the U-shaped arch are spaced apart horizontally by between about twelve and about thirty inches. 
     
     
         11 . The swing of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the U-shaped arch and the second end of the U-shaped arch are spaced apart horizontally by between about sixteen and about twenty-six inches. 
     
     
         12 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises a backing structure that supports the caretaker in an upright position. 
     
     
         13 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the swing is configured so that the caretaker may push off of the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The swing of  claim 13 , wherein the swing is configured so that the child is unable to touch the ground. 
     
     
         15 . The swing of  claim 1 , wherein the framework is suspended from a support structure by one or more chains affixed to the one or more suspension points.