What is the Seesaw in Outdoor Playground

Created on 09.09

Seesaw is probably the most iconic equipment that we can imagine in the childrens outdoor playground. A child gets a remarkable feeling of balance and need to collaborate with others to have fun by using a simple lever principle in creating the teeter and totter effect. As a outdoor playset that has withstood the test of time, the contemporary seesaw has evolved in terms of design, material and safety requirement to cater to new demands in outdoor play and security.

1. Definition and Core Value.

Physically, defined by a lever, the Seesaw is a long beam supported by a central pivot. Users sitting at the opposite ends of the beam push off the ground with their feet alternately to conquer the gravity and create a periodic up-down motion. The core value of playground set is not limited to the development of balance and coordination in a child but more importantly, the need for communication and collaboration between the two users of the teetertotter to facilitate social interaction and team spirit.

2. Main Types.

To cater for the needs of different age groups and to provide more interesting outdoor play experiences, the traditional linear seesaw for two persons has evolved into different forms.

Tradition Seesaw with Fulcrum.

This is the most traditional form of seesaw. It is totally dependent on a central fixed fulcrum for support. The core value of outdoor playground set is the collaboration of strength and rhythm between the two users. It provides the most interactive experience. Seesaws with more than two users are derived from this basic model. They are commercially called "Four-Seat Seesaws" or "Multi-User Seesaws". There are different designs for these models. Some are for two adjacent seats on one or both of the two ends. There are other models using cross-shaped or polygonal structures such that users can interact with each other in multiple directions.

Spring Seesaws.

In this type of seesaws, there is a heavy duty spring installed between the base and the beam. The heavy duty spring acts as a cushioning and supporting function. The installation of a spring brings about several benefits in terms of safety. First, it damps the jarring landings when the seat reaches the ground. The jarring effect happens when the weight between the two users is vastly different or when the two users are not well coordinated in terms of timing. Second, the spring endows the teeterboard with a multi-dimensional rocking motion besides the vertical motion. It provides more fun especially for young children.

3. Core Materials.

The materials used for outdoor play equipment shall guarantee safety, durability and resistance to the outdoor environment. Modern teeter and totter manufacturing uses an established system of core materials based on metal and high performance engineering plastics.

3.1. Core Materials for Assemblies.

The structural frame which gives strength to the seesaw is mainly made of galvanised steel tubing. Steel tubing has good resistance to rusting and corrosion. In addition, an electrostatic powder coating is usually applied on the galvanised layer to give the product a bright colour and to enhance its weather resistance. The coating system of galvanisation and powder coating provides the product with strength and bright colours even after exposure to the outdoor environment.

3.2. Plastic Parts.

For plastic components, seesaws use the excellent properties of a family of the PE, and then choose the types according to the function of the component and the molding process.

As the most important parts that carrying the weight of children and contact with the children directly and frequently, the seats of the seesaw usually made of LLDPE by rotational molding. LLDPE is characterized by its excellent toughness and impact strength as well as good resistance to environmental stress cracking. By hollow, smooth and contoured seat forms created by rotomolding process, seamless and smoothly contoured seat forms are created, which not only be structurally sound but also provide some cushioning when children impact to the seat, and make the seesaw much more comfortable and safer.

HDPE plays two more important roles in manufacturing of the seesaw by its high rigidity, strength and abrasion resistance. First, the compression-molded sheets of PE Sheet are cut and fabricated into decorative side panels of the seesaw or handgrip or some flat-seat seesaws created. This application takes advantages of strong weather resistance of HDPE and the fact that the color of the flat-seesaws is integrally introduced and will not fade. Second, the entire seesaw structure by injection or blow molding process is created by HDPE. Seesaws created by HDPE are widely used for toddler or indoor use. They are one-piece molds, will not produce small parts that children can swallow, and light weight.

4.Standard Play and Skill Development.

The basic way to play on a seesaw requires two children to sit on either side facing each other and hold the handgrip firmly. They push off the ground with their feet to provide the component of thrust upward, taking turns to create a smooth, rocking motion. In the process, children learn to communicate verbally or physically with the other child to coordinate the rhythm and force of their pushes for a smooth ride. This type of childrens outdoor play exercises the senses of the vestibular sense and proprioception for the development of static equilibrium and implicitly learns the social skills of turn-taking, cooperating and problem solving.

5. Key Elements of Safety Assurance.

Safety is the most important consideration in the design of outdoor playground equipment. Professional outdoor seesaw products must comply with safety standards such as CE or CPC.

Buffering Mechanism and Limiting Design.

To prevent the end of the seat strikes the ground with a violent impact, high-quality seesaws must have buffering mechanisms under the seats such as recycled tires embedded in the seats or special rubber buffers created. At the same time, the angle of inclination of the device is limited to no more than 25 degrees, and the height of the seat from the grade is strictly limited to reduce the potential risks.

Safe Use Zone and Surfacing.

A surrounding obstacle-free safe use zone must be provided around each seesaw. By standard, the safe use zone edge must typically be no less than 6 feet (about 1.83 meters) from the equipment and away from the perimeter. Ground surfaces within the safe use zone must be covered with impact absorbing materials, like rubber safety tiles, engineered wood fiber or sand that can lessen the severity of a child's fall injury.

Inline With Descriptive Details.

Handgrips must be firmly attached and child-size (adequate for a small child to grasp). The seat surface must be non-sliding. In addition, the fulcrum and other mechanical parts must be accurately engineered and protected to prevent any dangerous gaps that could trap and entangle a child's limbs or cause shearing forces on a child's body. Periodic maintenance checks (tightening bolts, checking wear of structural components, etc.) are necessary to maintain it safe for use over the long term.

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