US3250532A - Oscillating pole recreation device - Google Patents

Description

May 1o, 1966 E. A. BROWN 3,250,532

OSCILLATING POLE RECREATION DEVICE Filed June 19. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Maly 10, 1966 E. A. BROWN OSCILLTING POLE RECREATION DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June i9, 1953 FIG.6

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FIG. 8

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INVENTOR. ERVIN A. BROWN AT TORNEYS United States Patent O 3,250,532 OSCILLATING POLE RECREATION DEVICE Ervin A. Brown, 1209 North 78 East Ave., Tulsa, Okla. Filed June 19, 1963, Ser. No. 288,936 3 Claims.' (Ci. 272-60) This invention relates to a recreation and amusement device. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a verticallyvstanding flexible pole functioning as a recreation and amusement device adaptable to be ridden in a swaying or oscillatory motion by the user.

An object of this invention is to provide a recreation and amusement device providing a unique type of physical activity for the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new type of recreational and amusement device comprising an upstanding flexible member and including unique means for ascending and riding the device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a recreation and amusement device comprising an upstanding iiexible pole and including unique mounting means whereby the pole may rotate a full 360 degrees while in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an amusement and recreation device consisting basically of an upstanding flexible pole and including an attachment member aihxed to the pole whereby the user thereof may more easily support himself to the pole and including improved means of ascending and descending the pole.v

These and other objects and a better understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a side view, shown partially in cross-section of one embodiment of the recreation and amusement device of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view shown partially in cross-section showing an alternate embodiment of the device of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of an additional alternate ernbodiment of the invention showing the use of a flexible tapered pole.

FIG-URE 6 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of FIGURE 5.

This invention may be described as a recreation and amusement device. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention may be described as a recreation and amusement device for use by a rider comprising a tapered exihle pole adapted to be supoprted substantially vertically, said pole ilexible within the elastic limit thereof under the weight of said rider, removable pliable strap means supported to said pole at the upper end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom, an a multiplicity of stirrup means affixed to and extending from said strap means at spaced intervals.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGURE l an embodiment of the recreation and amusement device of this invention is shown in side view and partially in cross-section. Basically, the device consists of an elongated substantially sti body member 19 may, and preferably is, of tubular construction. Extending from the body member 10, such as by welding, are a multiplicity of metallic hand-hold members 12. The hand-hold mem- ICC bers 12 extending substantially perpendicularly from the body member 1t) and in a spaced relationship in the nature of a ladder. The upper end of the body member 10 may be provided with a non-slip surface 14 such as by winding tape thereon. A cap 16 is placed at the upper end end of the body member 10,

Supporting body member 10 is a spring member 18. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE l the spring member 18 is a single leaf spring which is supported in the earth 20 in an earth socket member 22. The earth socket member 22 is of a hollow construction to receive the lower end portion of spring 18. The earth socket member 22 may be tubular or of square cross-sectional configuration or any other geometrically desirable configuration. Spacers 24 may be provided to either side of the lower portion of spring 18 to fill the interior of socket member 22.

A base or earth flange 26 is provided at the upper end of socket member 22 extending parallel to the surface of the earth. A mating flange 28 is provided to secure the upper end of a spring socket member 28A. Mating flange 28 may be held in place against flange 26 such as by means of a bolt 30. A horizontal bottom member 32 supports the lower end of spring 18 at the'proper elevation. Earth socket member 22 as previously indicated, may be cylindrical so as to receive either a square, rectangular or cylindrical spring socket member 28A. In this manner, ange 28, with the spring socket member 2SA aixed thereto, may be rotated on iiange 26 to permit the device to oscillate in any selected plane (in a manner to be described subsequently).

The upper end of spring 18 is supported to the lower end of body member 10 such as by means of a bolt 34. Spacers 24 may likewise be provided to insure a snug fit of the upper end of spring member 18 within the lower end of the body member 10.

Supported to the lower end of body member 10 and downwardly extending therefrom is a iiexible strap member 36. This may be supported by means of hooks 38 fastened in eyelets 40 which have been welded to the body member 10 or to the lower surface of the lowest handhold members 12. Fixed to the strap member 36 are a series of staggered stirrups 42 preferably made of Asome iiiexible material such as cotton webbing, plastic or the li e.

The strap member 36 may be composed of two separate lengths of straps of some flexible material such as cotton webbing, leather, plastic, or so forth. The preferred arrangement as shown includes the provision wherein the strap member 36 consists of a singular tubular member of some flexible material or plastic which surrounds the spring member 18 and which may be fastened around the spring member 18 by means of a zipper, buttons, hooks, or such member may be. completely sewed in place (as shown).

In use, the device of this invention provides a swaying, oscillatory motion which is beneficial both from the standpoint of providing exercise and amusement and recreation. Although the device may be utilized by humans of any age it is especially attractive to children. When a child plays on the device he may mount it by means of the stirrups 42 and hand-hold members 12 to the height he desires. When astride the body member 10 with his hands either on the taped portion 14 or holding to one or more of the hand-hold members 12 the rider initiates the oscillatory motion of the device by swaying his body back and forth. The action of spring 18 permits the Ibody member 1i) to sway through a substantial arc and reproduces a form of recreation known to the older generation as a willow whip, that is, the swaying action children have formerly amused themselves with by Iriding a slender willow tree back and forth in an oscillatory manner.

The provision of the strap member 36 has several advantages. First, such strap member supports the strrup members 42 to enable the user to easily climb upon the device. Metallic elements are not easily aixed to spring member 18 since welding to spring material normally destroys the spring-like characteristic of the material. In addition, the fabrics or plastic material 'making up the strap member 36 'protects the users from being injured by the lower metallic portionsof the device. This is especially true when the strap member 36 is composed of a tubular fabric portion completely surrounding the spring 18, as shown;

The provision of spacers 24 permit additional spring leaves 18 to be added to the device. When heavier riders utilize the device it may 4be necessary to add one or more additional spring members 18. These can easily be substituted in place of the spacers 24.

The invention as shown in FIGURE l is mounted in the earth 20. This is the method in which it is used outdoors. It is to be understood that it would equally be useful in a gymnasium, and especially important application includes mounting the device in the bottom of a swimming-pool to provide a swaying motion above the water of the pool.

FIGURE 2 shows the embodiment wherein the spring socket member 28A is of a square cross-sectional configuration and shows the provision of spacers 24 snuggly holding the spring member 18, flange 23 functions as a reinforcing member to prevent the spring socket member from being split out by stress to one side and another as the device is reciprocated in use. member 28 in a preselected position. The device can be easily removed -by removing bolt 30 and lifting it out of place leaving only the flange 26 barely protruding unob` trusively above the earth.

With the provision of a multiplicity of threaded openings 53 in ange 26 (only one of which is shown in FIG- URE l) flange 28 may be rotated to a variety of positions to permit the device to oscillare in different planes.

FIGURE 3 shows an alternate arrangement of the invention. In this embodiment a relatively short spring section 18 is utilized requiring the use of a longer body member (only the lowest portion of which is shown in the drawing). In the embodiment of FIGURE 3 the utilization of a multi-leaf spring 18 is shown. In this embodiment only a relatively short strap member 36 is shown and the use of this is optional. Stirrups 42 would normally be utilized only by the smallest riders in this embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 showing the use of a`multi-leaf spring member 18.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 5. flexible pole member 44. Although the pole member 44 may be fabricated of a variety of materials, the ideal material is fiber glass. The pole is supported in a tubular earth socket member 22. Inone embodiment the pole member 44 is vertically supported in the socket member 22 permitting the pole member 44 to be freely rotated while in use. In the embodiment shown a flange 28 and pole socket 28A is provided secured tothe pole member 44 with a pin 46. Pole ange 28A may be fastened to earth flange 26 by bolt 30 as described with reference to FIGURE l to serve the same function.

In its simplest embodiment the invention consists of a flexible tapered pole member 44 supported to a playing surface, such as the earth 20, including the provision of a removable pliable strap or fabric member 4S supported to the top of the pole, the strap member 48 having aiiixed thereto at alternate spaced intervals a series lof stirrups 5?. As previously described the strap member 4S may consist of two separate strips of iiexible or pliable ma- This embodiment utilizes a long tapered Bolt 30 holds socket terial, but in the preferred arrangement, and as shown in FIGURE 5, strap member 48 is a unitary `tubular member fixed to the upper portion of pole 44, such as by being sewn in position.

Inan alternate embodiment, and as shown in FIGURE 5, the upper end of the flexible pole member 44 is provided with a short metallic, preferably tubular, body member 10 having the hand-holds 12 as previously described. Body member 10 is aflixed to the upper end of pole 44 by means of bolts 52. The provision of the relatively short tubular body member 12 provides a means whereby the user of the device may hold to it and in addition provides means for supporting the downwardly extending strap member 48.

The cross-sectional Views of FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 show the arrangement of various portions of the embodiment of FIGURE 5. FIGURE 6 shows means whereby bolts 52 support the upper tubular body portion 10 to the upper end of rod 44.

FIGURE 7 shows .the fabric or strap member 48 supported about the lower end of the tubular body 10 and shows the provision of the extending stirrup members 50.

FIGURE 8 shows means whereby pole 44 extends from the pole flange 28.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction in the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed:

1. An oscillating pole recreation device for use by a rider, comprising: f

a tubular vertically mounted socket member open at the top thereof;

a tapered exible pole rotatably received at the lower end in said tubular socket whereby said pole is substantially vertically supported, said pole flexible within the elastic limits thereof under the weight of a rider, the upper end of said tubular socket member terminating in abase flange;

a tubular rod flange receiving and supporting said rod at the lower end thereof, said rod ange contiguously supported on said base flange as the lower end of said rod is received by said tubular socket;

means at the top of said pole providing a hand hold for the rider thereof; and

step ,means supported to said rod along at least the lower length thereof providing means whereby the said rider may climb upwardly on said pole.

2. An oscillating pole recreation device according to claim 1, including a metallic tubular member tted over a portion of the upper end of said pole and including at least one short cylindricalv metallic member aflixed to and extending substantially perpendicular from said tubular member, said metallic member serving as said hand hold providing means.

3. An oscillating pole recreation device according to claim 1, including downwardly extending flexible strap means affixed to said tubular member; and

stirrup means Iafxed to and extending from said strap means at spaced intervals.

References Cited by the Examinerl UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,537 4/1940 Jones et al. 272-60 2,831,685 4/1958 Stewart 272-601X 2,949,298 8/1960 Speehnan 272-1 3,069,160 12/1962 Bulecki.

OTHER REFERENCES Sports Illustrated Magazine, Feb. 26, 1962, volume' 16 #8, pages 10413.

RICHARD C. PINKI-IAM, Primary Examiner.

G. K. KITA, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN OSCILLATING POLE RECREATING DEVICE FOR USE BY A RIDER, COMPRISING: A TUBULAR VERTICALLY MOUNTED SOCKET MEMBER OPEN AT THE TOP THEREOF; A TAPERED FLEXIBLE POLE ROTATABLY RECEIVED AT THE LOWER END IN SAID TUBULAR SOCKET WHEREBY SAID POLE IS SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY SUPPORTED, SAID POLE FLEXIBLE WITHIN THE ELASTIC LIMITS THEREOF UNDER THE WEIGHT OF A RIDER, THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBULAR SOCKET MEMBER TERMINATING IN A BASE FLANGE; A TUBULAR ROD FLANGE RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING SAID ROD AT THE LOWER END THEREOF, SAID ROD FLANGE CONTIGUOUSLY SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE FLANGE AS THE LOWER END OF SAID ROD IS RECEIVED BY SAID TUBULAR SOCKET; MEANS AT THE TOP OF SAID POLE PROVIDING A HAND HOLD FOR THE RIDER THEREOF; AND STEP MEANS SUPPORTED TO SAID ROD ALONG AT LEAST THE LOWER LENGTH THEREOF PROVIDING MEANS WHEREBY THE SAID RIDER MAY CLIMB UPWARDLY ON SAID POLE.

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