US3451672A - Amusement and physical fitness device - Google Patents

Amusement and physical fitness device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3451672A
US3451672A US595303A US3451672DA US3451672A US 3451672 A US3451672 A US 3451672A US 595303 A US595303 A US 595303A US 3451672D A US3451672D A US 3451672DA US 3451672 A US3451672 A US 3451672A
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United States
Prior art keywords
amusement
end portions
downwardly
shell
center portion
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Expired - Lifetime
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US595303A
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English (en)
Inventor
Aralee Kazdan
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Blazon Inc
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Blazon Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3451672A publication Critical patent/US3451672A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
    • A63G11/00—See-saws

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to an amusement and physical fitness device that can be used as a teeter, slide, sled, aquatic float or boat, rotating merry-go-round balancer, and, when inverted, as a crawl through bridge-like unit. It can be used indoors or outdoors but is particularly designed for playground use since in its preferred embodiment it has a free-form sinuous unitary shape without any detachable portions or sharp projections that would tend to cause injuries.
  • this invention is an amusment device comprising a unitary, sinuous, free-form shape having a lower center portion, gibbous in cross-section, terminating at either end in upraised end portions adapted to be straddled and sat upon.
  • the shape of the device in longitudinal section is convex downwardly on its bottom and concave downwardly at its top. It is thus capable of being rocked about on its center bottom portion.
  • the playground rocking unit of this invention comprises a rigid generally smoothly curved curvilinear continuous plastic shell of unitary construction having when viewed from the side in the rocking position, a center portion having a rounded downwardly protuberant lower surface and an upper surface spaced therefrom which flow into upright end portions having generally horizontal surfaces adapted to he sat upon and teetered about the center portion.
  • the design of the device is such that the upper skin of the shell in the center portion is in tension and the lower skin is in compression when the device is carrying its normal load and used as a rocker.
  • the upper shell of the center porton is downwardly concave with respect to the end portions so as to form a central sitting place and to assure that the center of gravity of the device in any rocking position remains between the end portions and below the level of the upper surfaces of the end portions.
  • the shell could be formed from wood or sheet metal, it is preferably formed from two upper and lower preformed half-shells of a plastic material such as a polypropylene or an acrylnitrilebutadine-styrene sheet with the peripheral edges of the half-shells being inmitately and smoothly bonded together.
  • a plastic material such as a polypropylene or an acrylnitrilebutadine-styrene sheet with the peripheral edges of the half-shells being inmitately and smoothly bonded together.
  • the design of the device is such that unusual strength and rigidity is secured with the use of a relatively small volume of plastic material.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one shape of the amusement device
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an end portion of the device taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a like view to FIG. 4 showing an alternate curvilinear design
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the device.
  • FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6.
  • the rocking device of this invention comprises a smoothly flowing, free-form or curvilinear unitary plastic shell which has a bulbous lower center portion 12 spaced from the upper surface 13 of the shell and terminating in two end portions 14 and 15 the upper surfaces of which are generally horizontal and adapted to be sat upon.
  • seat portions 16 and 17 can be molded into or attached to the end portions to provide a more definite seating area.
  • hand grips 18 and 19 can be molded into or attached to the shell.
  • FIG. 2 shows the structure of FIG. 1 in side elevation.
  • the same reference numerals are used where applicable.
  • the recessed hand grips 18 and 19 and the dishshape of the upper center portion 13 are more clearly shown in FIG. 2.
  • a preferred embodiment is also shown in FIG. 2 wherein the end portions 14 and 15 terminate in downwardly turned projecting ends 21 and 22 which serve to limit tilting of the amusement device and can also be used as grips when the device is to be moved.
  • the overall length of the device will ordinarily be between four to fifteen feet with the smaller sizes being preferred.
  • the invention is not limited as to size.
  • the central portion 31 of the device besides being dished in longitudinal cross-section, may also be dished along the short transverse axis to form a better defined seating area.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates that the device can be simply formed from two plastic sheets, e.g. sheets 32 and 33 by thermo-vacuum forming them and then bonding them at their peripheral edges 34 and 35.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-section of one of the end portions of the device taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a different, more free-flowing, shape wherein the top surface of the end can be smoothly curved into the lower portion 41 which may be concavely dished upwardly for aesthetic appearances.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment wherein the end portions 51 and 52 flare appreciably sideways and differ further from the construction of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in that the ends are somewhat longer and do not turn downwardly.
  • Other variations of the basic shape of the device will occur to those skilled in the art.
  • a central well or hole 53 is incorporated into the device so that the unit may be placed over an upstanding vertical axis, and spun thereabout in a horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 which generally has the same shape as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • runners or reinforcing members 71 and 72 can be attached or molded into the bottom of the device to aid its rocking action and/or to reinforce the bottom portion of the shell. While the device without the runners can be used as a sled, it is preferable that for such use the members 71 be added as they will tend to eliminate any side skipping.
  • Reinforcing members such as indicated at 72 can be placed within the she'll if desired, and in some cases a truss-like internal reinforcement can be used.
  • FIG. 7 is also illustrative of further embodiments.
  • the device may be filled with a foamed plastic material such as a rigid polyurethane foam 61 which would help to reinforce the structure.
  • the lower portion can be weighted as at 62 for example, with a metal ballast to provide greater stability.
  • the upraised end portions (14 and 15 in FIG. 2, and '51 and 52 in FIG. 6) be so designed that when the device is inverted, it will sit stably on the ground and create a crawl-through area.
  • Several of the inverted units can be placed side-by-side to form a tent or tunnel-like structure.
  • epoxy fiberglass lay-ups such as are now used in boat construction and rotationally cast shells such as thermocast shells made from a polyethylene powder of polyvinyl chloride powder.
  • Blow molding can be used in some instances to form a seamless shell.
  • the upper surface 13 in FIG. 2 be spaced from the bottom portion 12 of the center section so that when used as a teeter, a girder effect is created; that is, the upper surface 13 is in tension while the lower surface 12 is in compression. This permits a lesser weight of plastic to be used in the construction of the device and in many cases eliminates the need for internal reinforcement such as steel rods.
  • the design of the present amusement device in its preferred embodiment is unitary and smoothly curvilinear without any sharp projections or corners and without any detachable portions that would tend to come loose or be worked loose during use by children.
  • An indoor-outdoor rocking amusement device comprising a generally elongated, substantially rigid, smoothly curved, continuously walled shell of unitary construction having, when viewed from the side in the rocking position, a rounded downwardly protuberant center portion having spaced upper and lower shell walls with the upper wall having a downwardly concave upper surface and the lower wall having a downwardly convex lower surface, said walls being contoured upwardly and outwardly from said center portion, with the lower surface of the lower wall having an upwardly concave configuration on each side, to form outwardly extending similar end portions with the upper walls of said end portions forming generally horizontal surfaces of suflicient extent to define opposed seat areas for humans, said device having, when viewed from the top in the rocking position, a generally uniform width throughout the area defined by the downwardly concave upper surface of said center portion upper wall with said width being sufiicient to provide a seat and backrest area for a human, and said center portion upper wall having a downwardly concave upper surface when viewed
  • amusement device of claim 1 further characterized by having recessed hand-grips in said end portions.
  • the amusement device of claim 1 further characterized by vertical, central mounting means positioned at the intersection of the lateral and longitudinal axis for permitting said device to be rotated in a horizontal plane about its vertical axis.
  • An indoor-outdoor rocking amusement device comprising a generally elongated, substantially rigid, smoothly curved, continuously walled shell of unitary construction having, when viewed from the side in the rocking position, a rounded downwardly protuberant center portion having spaced upper and lower shell walls with the upper wall having a downwardly concave upper surface and the lower wall having a downwardly convex lower surface, said walls being contoured upwardly and outwardly tapering toward each other in smooth continuous curves, with the lower surface of the lower wall having an upwardly concave configuration on each side, to form outwardly extending similar end portions with the upper walls of said end portions forming generally horizontal surfaces of sufiicient extent to define opposed seat areas for humans, said surface including means for providing a generally stable support for said rocking device when the device is inverted, and said device having, when viewed from the top in the rocking position, a generally uniform width throughout the area defined by the downwardly concave upper surface of said center portion upper wall, said width being sufficient to provide a seat and
  • the amusement device of claim 7 further characterized by having double symmetry about the longitudinal and lateral axes when viewed from the top in the rocking position.
  • the amusement device of claim 8 further characterized by the shape of said double symmetry being such that the sides of the device, starting at the ends of the lateral axis, taper convexly inwardly toward the longitudinal axis to a minimum width and then flare outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and, finally back inwardly to meet at the ends of the longitudinal axis.
  • amusement device of claim 9 further characterized by said end portions terminating in downwardly curved portions.
  • the amusement device of claim 7 further characterized by said center portion upper wall having a downwardly concave upper surface when viewed in transverse, vertical cross-section.
  • An indoor-outdoor rocking amusement device comprising a generally elongated, substantially rigid, smoothly curved, continuously walled shell of unitary construction having, when viewed from the side in the rocking position, a rounded downwardly protuberant center portion having spaced upper and lower shell walls with the upper wall having a downwardly concave upper surface and the lower wall having a downwardly convex lower surface, said walls being contoured upwardly and outwardly from said center portion, with the lower surface of the lower wall having an upwardly concave configuration on each side, to form outwardly extending similar end portions with the upper walls of said end portions forming generally horizontal surfaces of sufficient extent to define opposed seat areas for humans, said surfaces including means for providing a generally stable support for said rocking device when the device is inverted, said device having, when viewed fromthe top in the rocking position, a generally uniform width throughout the area defined by the downwardly concave upper surface of said center portion upper wall with said width being sufiicient to provide a seat and backrest area for a

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US595303A 1966-11-03 1966-11-03 Amusement and physical fitness device Expired - Lifetime US3451672A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59530366A 1966-11-03 1966-11-03

Publications (1)

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US3451672A true US3451672A (en) 1969-06-24

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US595303A Expired - Lifetime US3451672A (en) 1966-11-03 1966-11-03 Amusement and physical fitness device

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US (1) US3451672A (de)
AT (1) AT295369B (de)
BE (1) BE706015A (de)
DE (1) DE1603165A1 (de)
DK (1) DK130574B (de)
FR (1) FR1557714A (de)
GB (1) GB1198136A (de)
NL (1) NL6714959A (de)
SE (1) SE331050B (de)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3967820A (en) * 1975-11-24 1976-07-06 Harper James T Ambulatory rocking device
US4109960A (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-08-29 Stinchfield Lawrence M Legless rocker-recliner chair
US4367870A (en) * 1980-04-25 1983-01-11 Birch Robert A Shoulder stand device
WO1992004091A1 (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-19 The Ritvik Group Inc. All around playground kit
WO1998055184A1 (en) 1997-06-04 1998-12-10 Frantisek Ziak Balance board
WO1999058022A1 (en) * 1998-05-12 1999-11-18 Mccord Winn Textron, Inc. Seating assembly and method of making same
WO2000023149A1 (en) 1998-10-20 2000-04-27 563704 B.C. Ltd. Torsion board
US20020077231A1 (en) * 2000-12-15 2002-06-20 Dalebout William T. Selectively dynamic exercise platform
US20030125173A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2003-07-03 Reebok International Ltd. An Exercise Apparatus
US20040009859A1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-01-15 Gottlieb Marc S. Exercise device and method of using the same
US6709340B2 (en) * 2000-01-15 2004-03-23 Aviva Sports L.L.C. Inflatable recreational device
USD489778S1 (en) 2002-10-18 2004-05-11 Reebok International Ltd. Portion of an exercise device
USD493500S1 (en) 2000-12-15 2004-07-27 William T. Dalebout Top surface of an exercise device
US20050130814A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-06-16 Nautilus, Inc. Exercise apparatus with reconfigurable frame, resistance system, and platform
WO2007011200A1 (es) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-25 Garibay Gonzalez Luis Guillerm Camastro en forma de botella para fines publicitarios y decorativos
US20080039304A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-02-14 Mattox E Michael Balance Training and Exercise Device
US20090195047A1 (en) * 2008-02-05 2009-08-06 Bouche Timothy J Chair shell with integral hollow contoured support
US20090273126A1 (en) * 2008-05-01 2009-11-05 Krueger International, Inc. Method and Apparatus of Gas-Assisted Injection Molding of Thick Parts
US20090305800A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Michael Guerzini Playset system components
US20120178552A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-07-12 Jimmy Hack Golf, Llc Swing Trainer
US20130038104A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-02-14 Kids Ii, Inc. Infant lounger
US20180296936A1 (en) * 2015-07-27 2018-10-18 Roman Dill Play equipment, in particular for interior spaces and small children
USD836851S1 (en) * 2017-12-18 2018-12-25 Avian Corporation Aves cafe
US10212994B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-02-26 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Smart watch band
USD843516S1 (en) * 2017-05-04 2019-03-19 Joseph Adam Allison Exercise device
US11045689B2 (en) 2015-06-12 2021-06-29 Iana Blinova Multidimensional mobilization of lumbar, pelvic, and hip joints

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2244434A (en) * 1990-05-29 1991-12-04 Navneet Kumar Puri An improved toy rocking device
FR2669552A1 (fr) * 1990-11-26 1992-05-29 Gerard Jean Paul Dispositif de jeu aquatique.
FR2786404A1 (fr) * 1998-11-30 2000-06-02 Janick Simeray Bascule tourniquet
CN108404419B (zh) * 2018-04-18 2020-04-10 张振芳 一种基于个人体征数据的娱乐设施
US20240123365A1 (en) * 2021-02-01 2024-04-18 Vincent Goudreault miniature wakeboard for use with hands

Citations (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US246458A (en) * 1881-08-30 chandler
US598900A (en) * 1898-02-15 Aquatic swing or rocker
US1441940A (en) * 1921-03-19 1923-01-09 Arthur E Nafe Amusement device
US2199915A (en) * 1939-01-12 1940-05-07 Thomas A Howard Child's play bowl
US2764228A (en) * 1952-10-17 1956-09-25 Harry E Donohue Body-supporting furniture and method of making the same
US2930430A (en) * 1956-12-11 1960-03-29 Martin William E Multiple tilt chair, chaise lounge or hammock
US3041070A (en) * 1958-12-31 1962-06-26 Fred W Kerstein Amusement device
US3102280A (en) * 1961-10-10 1963-09-03 Frederick F Williams Buoyant exercising device or toy
US3110047A (en) * 1961-12-12 1963-11-12 Grace S Bringman Aqua bowl

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US246458A (en) * 1881-08-30 chandler
US598900A (en) * 1898-02-15 Aquatic swing or rocker
US1441940A (en) * 1921-03-19 1923-01-09 Arthur E Nafe Amusement device
US2199915A (en) * 1939-01-12 1940-05-07 Thomas A Howard Child's play bowl
US2764228A (en) * 1952-10-17 1956-09-25 Harry E Donohue Body-supporting furniture and method of making the same
US2930430A (en) * 1956-12-11 1960-03-29 Martin William E Multiple tilt chair, chaise lounge or hammock
US3041070A (en) * 1958-12-31 1962-06-26 Fred W Kerstein Amusement device
US3102280A (en) * 1961-10-10 1963-09-03 Frederick F Williams Buoyant exercising device or toy
US3110047A (en) * 1961-12-12 1963-11-12 Grace S Bringman Aqua bowl

Cited By (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3967820A (en) * 1975-11-24 1976-07-06 Harper James T Ambulatory rocking device
US4109960A (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-08-29 Stinchfield Lawrence M Legless rocker-recliner chair
US4367870A (en) * 1980-04-25 1983-01-11 Birch Robert A Shoulder stand device
WO1992004091A1 (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-19 The Ritvik Group Inc. All around playground kit
US5387158A (en) * 1990-09-07 1995-02-07 The Ritvik Group Inc. All around playground kit
US6705977B1 (en) 1997-06-04 2004-03-16 Frantisek Ziak Balance board
WO1998055184A1 (en) 1997-06-04 1998-12-10 Frantisek Ziak Balance board
WO1999058022A1 (en) * 1998-05-12 1999-11-18 Mccord Winn Textron, Inc. Seating assembly and method of making same
WO2000023149A1 (en) 1998-10-20 2000-04-27 563704 B.C. Ltd. Torsion board
US6413197B2 (en) 1998-10-20 2002-07-02 563704 B.C. Ltd. Torsion board
US6709340B2 (en) * 2000-01-15 2004-03-23 Aviva Sports L.L.C. Inflatable recreational device
US20020077231A1 (en) * 2000-12-15 2002-06-20 Dalebout William T. Selectively dynamic exercise platform
US7112168B2 (en) 2000-12-15 2006-09-26 Icon Ip, Inc. Selectively dynamic exercise platform
USD493500S1 (en) 2000-12-15 2004-07-27 William T. Dalebout Top surface of an exercise device
USD493855S1 (en) 2000-12-15 2004-08-03 William T. Dalebout Portion of a top surface of an exercise device
US20040009859A1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-01-15 Gottlieb Marc S. Exercise device and method of using the same
US7137938B2 (en) 2002-07-10 2006-11-21 Gottlieb Marc S Exercise device and method of using the same
US20030125173A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2003-07-03 Reebok International Ltd. An Exercise Apparatus
US7008359B2 (en) 2002-10-18 2006-03-07 Reebok International Ltd. Exercise apparatus
USD489778S1 (en) 2002-10-18 2004-05-11 Reebok International Ltd. Portion of an exercise device
US20050130814A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2005-06-16 Nautilus, Inc. Exercise apparatus with reconfigurable frame, resistance system, and platform
WO2007011200A1 (es) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-25 Garibay Gonzalez Luis Guillerm Camastro en forma de botella para fines publicitarios y decorativos
US20080039304A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-02-14 Mattox E Michael Balance Training and Exercise Device
US8678985B2 (en) * 2006-08-10 2014-03-25 E. Michael Mattox Balance training and exercise device
US20090195047A1 (en) * 2008-02-05 2009-08-06 Bouche Timothy J Chair shell with integral hollow contoured support
US7600820B2 (en) * 2008-02-05 2009-10-13 Krueger International, Inc. Chair shell with integral hollow contoured support
US20090273126A1 (en) * 2008-05-01 2009-11-05 Krueger International, Inc. Method and Apparatus of Gas-Assisted Injection Molding of Thick Parts
US8002642B2 (en) 2008-06-09 2011-08-23 Indian Industries, Inc. Playset system components
US20090305800A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Michael Guerzini Playset system components
US8172693B1 (en) 2008-06-09 2012-05-08 Indian Industries, Inc. Playset system components
US8197351B2 (en) 2008-06-09 2012-06-12 Indian Industries, Inc. Playset system components
US20110195797A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2011-08-11 Michael Guerzini Playset System Components
US20120178552A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-07-12 Jimmy Hack Golf, Llc Swing Trainer
US8360896B2 (en) * 2010-08-30 2013-01-29 Jimmy Hack Golf, Llc Swing trainer
US20130038104A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-02-14 Kids Ii, Inc. Infant lounger
US9585494B2 (en) * 2011-08-10 2017-03-07 Kids Ii, Inc. Infant lounger
US11045689B2 (en) 2015-06-12 2021-06-29 Iana Blinova Multidimensional mobilization of lumbar, pelvic, and hip joints
US20180296936A1 (en) * 2015-07-27 2018-10-18 Roman Dill Play equipment, in particular for interior spaces and small children
US10212994B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-02-26 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. Smart watch band
USD843516S1 (en) * 2017-05-04 2019-03-19 Joseph Adam Allison Exercise device
USD836851S1 (en) * 2017-12-18 2018-12-25 Avian Corporation Aves cafe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1603165A1 (de) 1972-01-05
DK130574B (da) 1975-03-10
BE706015A (de) 1968-03-18
SE331050B (de) 1970-12-07
AT295369B (de) 1971-12-27
GB1198136A (en) 1970-07-08
NL6714959A (de) 1968-05-06
DK130574C (de) 1975-08-11
FR1557714A (de) 1969-02-21

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