Multi-axis spinning playground device

Abstract

Playground spinning devices that provide children with a unique play experience that includes a combination of (a) rotation of a base relative to a support structure about a first axis of rotation and (b) rotation of a bowl relative to the base about a second axis of rotation. While the rotation of the base about the first axis of rotation is shared by all users of the spinning device, each user also experiences an individual second rotation of the bowl in which he or she sits.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A multi-axis spinning playground device comprising:
 a base comprising a top surface and a plurality of openings in the top surface;   a plurality of bowls, each bowl being sized and configured for a child to sit securely therein, and each bowl being partially received by one of the plurality of openings in the top surface of the base;   wherein one or more of the plurality of bowls is configured to rotate relative to the base; and   wherein the base is rotatably mounted to a support structure, such that the base is configured to rotate 360° relative to the support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of bowls is configured to rotate at least 180° relative to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of bowls is configured to rotate 360° relative to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of rotation of the base is non-vertical. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is mounted to the support structure such that the base is not parallel to a ground surface to which the support structure is installed. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 5 , wherein the base is angled between about 10° and about 20° relative to the ground surface. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bowls is at least three bowls, optionally wherein the plurality of bowls is three bowls. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of bowls comprises a flange, the flange being attached to a rotatable bearing element positioned within an interior of the base to provide rotation of the bowl relative to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 8 , wherein the interior of the base comprises an outer bearing element on which an inner bearing elements rotates and wherein the flange of the bowl is affixed to the inner bearing element by a plurality of fasteners extending through the flange and into the inner bearing element. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 9 , wherein the outer bearing element and the inner bearing element are fully enclosed within the interior of the base. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of bowls comprises a rotatable bearing element extending from an underside of the bowl. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable bearing element is an inner bearing element that is rotatably mounted on an outer bearing element to provide rotation of the bowl relative to the base. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 12 , wherein the outer bearing element and the inner bearing element are fully enclosed within an interior of the base. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the plurality of bowls comprises a flange and wherein the flange is immediately adjacent the top surface of the base, such that a child cannot have a finger pinched between the flange and the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bowls has one or more drainage holes configured for water to drain out of the bowl. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 15 , wherein a bottom surface of the base comprises one or more drainage holes configured for water that drains out of the bowl and into the base to drain out of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bowls extends at least 150 mm above the top surface of the base, optionally at least 160 mm, optionally at least 170 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein greater than 50% of a height of the bowl is positioned above the top surface of the base, optionally at least 55% of a height of the bowl, optionally at least 60% of a height of the bowl. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein the center of each of the plurality of bowls is positioned at least 900 mm from the center of each other of the plurality of bowls, optionally at least 950 mm, optionally at least 1000 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-axis spinning playground device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bowls is configured to rotate relative to the base.