Playground amusement device

Claim 1

A playground amusement device for children that includes: a. a rigid cylindrical shell that defines a curved interior surface, with said shell having first and second open ends; b. a tubular sleeve concentrically disposed in said shell and located on the axis of rotation thereof, said sleeve having first and second ends; c. first means that rigidly connect said first end of said shell to said sleeve, with said first means obstructing entry into the interior of said shell through said first open end thereof; d. at least one horizontal shaft on which said sleeve is rotatably mounted; e. second means for rigidly supporting said shaft at a fixed elevation above the surface of said playground to permit said shell, sleeve and first means to rotate as an integral unit after a first child enters the interior of said shell through said second open end thereof and thereafter walks or runs relative to an upwardly inclined portion of said interior surface of said shell; f. a seat for at least one second child adjacently positioned to said first means and outwardly disposed therefrom; g. third means for pivotally supporting said seat from said first means, with said third means so positioned relative to said seat and first means that said third means is at all times positioned above the center of gravity of the combined weight of said seat and second child whereby the position of said second child is not tilted as said shell rotates, and said third means so pivotally supporting said seat from said first means that no portion of said seat or second child will be brought into pressure contact with said sleeve or second means as said shell, sleeve and first means are rotated as a unit by said first child; and h. fourth stationary means disposed in said shell that may be grasped by said first child when walking or running relative to said shell to maintain his balance, said fourth means rigidly secured to said second means.