US3610616A

US3610616A - Power driven jumping device

Info

Publication number: US3610616A
Application number: US795855A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wardell Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-02-03
Filing date: 1969-02-03
Publication date: 1971-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-05

Abstract

There is disclosed an amusement jumping device which comprises a length of cord secured in a generally U-shaped configuration at its respective ends to one of two spaced-apart horizontally aligned shafts rotatable about the same horizontal axis and rotatably supported, respectively, adjacent the ends of a Ushaped frame portion. The device comprises a base from which the U-shaped frame portion is laterally offset and an electric motor for rotating one of said shafts to impart a rotational movement to the cord through a 360* circular path.

Description

United States Patent 72 111ve11161 WardellEvans 1549 South Millard Ave., Chicago, [I]. 60623 [21] AppLNo. 795,855 [22] Filed Feb.3, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [54] POWER DRIVEN JUMPING DEVICE 8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl... 272/75 [51] lnt.Cl A63b5/20 [50] FieldoiSearch 272/74,75

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,911,063 11/1959 Wolfson 272/75 3,013,798 12/1961 Willoughby.. 272/74 3,263,995 8/1966 Morrow 272/75 3,411,775 11/1968 Delk 272/75 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,098 5/1905 GreatBritain 272 74 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard Dror Att0meyPrangley, Clayton, Miller, Dithmar & Vogel ABSTRACT: There is disclosed an amusement jumping device which comprises a length of cord secured in a generally U-shaped configuration at its respective ends to one of two spaced-apart horizontally aligned shafts rotatable about the same horizontal axis and rotatably supported, respectively, adjacent the ends of a U-shaped frame portion. The device comprises a base from which the U-shaped frame portion is laterally offset and an electric motor for rotating one of said shafts to impart a rotational movement to the cord through a 360 circular path.

ATENTEU OCT 5 mi sum 1 or 2 FIG. 3 i;

i I n l FIG. 2 r 3 3 Inventor WARDELL EVANS By WW9} 4 4 421% x/Af zig PATENTEU 0B1 5B7! SHEET 2 OF 2 I5EEgg:5:55:25?EEEEEI Inventor WARDELL EVANS POWER DRIVEN JUMPING DEVICE This invention is directed to an amusement jumping device especially adapted for children, for use in gymnasiums, parks, playgrounds and the like, having a cord rotatably supported at horizontally spaced locations for rotation about a horizontal axis and further including means for rotating the cord whereby the participant of the game engaged in the act of jumping or skipping over the cord need not rotate the cord.

The principle object of this invention is to provide an amusement device which is adapted for use by children in con nection with the game of rope or cord jumping which includes a cord, means rotatable about a horizontal axis for supporting at least a portion of the cord at horizontally spaced locations in a generally U-shaped configuration and means for rotating the rotatable means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth wherein the cord is formed of a flexible material which sustains itself in a generally U-shaped configuration.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth which includes a base having a frame mounted thereon and rotatably supporting said rotatable means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth wherein the frame comprises a pair of spaced vertical portions interconnected by an upper horizontal portion to form a U-shaped configuration and having the cord supported between the spaced vertical portions thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth wherein the means for rotating the rotatable means includes a motor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth wherein the rotatable means comprises a bracket having a portion of the cord mounted thereon and further provided with a rotatable shaft driven by the motor.

Another object of this invention is to provide an amusement device of the type set forth which includes a base and a sup port member spaced from the base, and having a plurality of U-shaped frame portions mounted sequentially between the base and the support member,each of the U-shaped frame portions having a cord rotatably mounted between the arms thereof and including means for rotating each of the cords.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object to provide an amusement device of the type set forth which includes a shaft rotatably mounted on the base and the support member, rotatable means on each frame portion for rotating each of the cords, and further including means mounted on each of the frame portions interconnecting the rotatable means thereon with the shaft whereby each of the cords is rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of the shaft.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with' the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational partly cross-sectional view of the device taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the device taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the bracket and the cord which is normally mounted thereon;

FIG. 6 is a side-fragmented view of a portion of the frame taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 in FIG. I;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional partly fragmented view of a portion of the frame and associated pin taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side-fragmented view of another portion of the frame taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 8-8 in FIG. 1; 6

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional partly fragmented view taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 10- 10 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal portion of the frame taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 1l-l1 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of another embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of the amusement devices mounted sequentially and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the electrical circuit included in the device embodying the principles of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, there is shown an amusement device 15 generally embodying the principles of the present invention. The device 15 includes a base 20, a Ushaped frame 35 mounted on the base 20, a cord 50 rotatably mounted on the frame 35,. and a motor 30 which provides the driving power for rotating the cord 50.

The base 20 includes a casing 21 surrounding and enclosing a supporting weight 22 which functions to stabilize and main tain the device 15 in an upright position. The casing 21 is connected to the supporting weight 22 by means of threaded screws 28 which are inserted through apertures (not shown) provided in the casing 21 and supporting weight 22. The base 20 further includes a thick-walled cylinder 23 mounted on the supporting weight 22 and substantially enclosed by the casing 21 which provides the mounting structure for the frame 35. A pair of battery mounts 24 are mounted on the upper surface of the weight 22 for carrying the batteries 29 which provide the source of power for driving the motor 30. Suitable contact plates 25 are provided for contacting the opposing terminals of the batteries 29 and which carry the electrical current to the motor 30 via the wires 26. A switch 27 is wired in series between the contact plates 25 and the motor 30 for turning the motor on and off.

The base 20 is adapted to rest upon; the ground or any suitable flat surface, and as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, provides the total support for the amusement device 15. Of course, if desired, the device 15 may be supported at its opposing end by means of a support structure generally indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 1 and 3.

Extending upwardly from the base 20 is a frame structure generally indicated at 35. The frame as shown in the appended drawings may be conveniently described as having two parts: the first part thereof includes a doubly bent portion generally indicated at 36 which includes a first vertical section 37 mounted on the cylinder 23 through. a central aperture provided in the casing 21 and extending upwardly therefrom a short distance, an inwardly inclined section 38 extending obliquely with respect to the base 20, and a second vertical section 39 extending upwardly from the inclined section 38; and a second part of the frame is conveniently described as a U-shaped portion generally indicated at 40 having a first vertical member 41 extending upwardly a. predetermined distance from the second vertical section 39 of the doubly bent portion 36, a horizontal member 42 extending laterally outwardly from the upper end of the first vertical member 41 in normal relation thereto, and a second vertical member 43 substantially normal with respect to the horizontal member 42 being spaced from and parallel to the first vertical member 41 and terminating at a point spaced upwardly relative to the base 20. The doubly bent portion 36 functions to offset the frame laterally of the base 20 such that the cord 50 when rotating will move in a path uninterrupted by the base 20. The height of the frame 35 must be sufficient to accommodate the jumping action of the participant during the performance of the game.

The frame 35 may be manufactured as a single part or it may be formed of several parts having suitable engagement means for joining the parts together; the main considerations for manufacturing the device in either manner being strictly the manufacturing costs for mass producing these parts and problems associated with the storage of the device when disassembled. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame consists of basically two parts directly joined together at the midpoint of the horizontal member 42, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The horizontal member 42 includes a first hollow portion 42' and a second hollow portion 42" each of which is provided with threaded interior surfaces. A doubly threaded bolt 44 engages the threaded interior surfaces of the respective

horizontal portions

42 and 42" thereby joining there portions together to complete the U-shaped configuration of the frame structure 35. It is to be understood, of course, that the precise method of manufacturing the frame 35 is not critical to the operation of this invention. Furthermore, the shape of the frame is relatively unimportant with respect to this invention, it merely sufficing that the frame not interfere with the rotation of the cord 50 in the performance of the game. Therefore, the frame may have a rounded configuration or any other desirable configuration. Indeed, the elimination of a frame portion as such as contemplated to be within the scope of this invention without impairing the operation of this device. To this end, the device may include a pair of spaced vertical support members for rotatably supporting a cord therebetween, the vertical members being unconnected to one another, having both members thereof supported by a separate base or by the surface upon which the respective members rest.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the frame 35 is shown to include a pair of horizontally aligned

sleeves

45 and 46 mounted on the frame 35 at horizontally spaced locations which include tubular channels 45' and 46' (FIG. 6 and 8). The first sleeve 45 is mounted on the first vertical member 41 of the frame 35 and receives a shaft 31 extending from the motor 30 and rotatably accommodated within the tubular channel 45'. The second sleeve 46 is mounted on the second vertical member 43 of the frame 35 in horizontal and axial alignment with the first sleeve 45 and includes a pin 47 rotatably accommodated within the tubular channel 46. Suitable means are provided for maintaining the shaft 31 and the pin 47 fixedly mounted within the

sleeves

45 and 46 respectively.

The shaft 31 has one end thereof rotatably connected to the motor 30 and extends outwardly through the tubular channel 45 of the sleeve 45 with the opposing end thereof fixedly mounted to a bracket 48. Similarly, the pin 47 which extends through the tubular channel 46' of the sleeve 46 has one of its ends fixedly mounted to a second bracket 49. The attachment of the shaft 31 to the bracket 48 and the pin 47 to the bracket 49 is illustrated in FIG. of the drawings. The

brackets

48 and 49 include means for mounting at least one cord 50 therebetween, which consists of a substantially semicircular channel 52 furrowed into one of the surfaces of the bracket 48 having opposing edges 53 and 54 thereof constricted such that the distance between the opposed edges 53 and 54 is slightly less than the diameter of the cord 50. The semicircular channel 52 terminates in an enlarged opening 55 which accommodates a nib 51 disposed at the end of the cord 50. The nib 51 prevents the cord from sliding vertically out of the bracket while the constricted opposed edges 53 and 54 prevent the cord 50 from sliding horizontally out of the bracket 48. This construction is more clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Similarly, the opposing end of the cord 50 is mounted to bracket 49 in the same manner as described with respect to the mounting of the cord 50 to the bracket 48.

If desired, each

bracket

48 and 49 may be adapted to have mounted thereon a second cord 50 mounted oppositely with respect to the first cord 50, as shown in FIG. 1, of the drawings, and adapted to rotate in a circular path diametrically opposed to the rotational path of the first cord 50. The mounting of the second cord 50' to the

brackets

48 and 49 is substantially identical to that described with respect to the first cord 50. Optionally, where only one cord 50 is mounted between the arms of the U-shaped frame portion 40, the

brackets

48 and 49 may be provided with counterweights to insure proper rotational movement of the cord 50 throughout a circular path.

The first vertical member 41 further includes a support member 61 mounted thereon by means of a pair of threaded bolts 62 inserted through appropriate apertures provided in the support member 61 and vertical member 41. The bolts 62 are held in position by a spacer plate 63 similarly provided with appropriate apertures through which the bolts 62 are inserted, and locknuts 64 which fixedly maintain the bolts 62 in position. The motor mount further includes an extension bar 65 which extends laterally outwardly from the support member 61 and away from the vertical frame member a predetermined distance, and includes an upstanding mounting bar 66 extending upwardly from the end thereof. The motor 30 is mounted on the mounting bar 66 by means of a pair of bolts 67 which are inserted through appropriate apertures (not shown) provided in the motor housing. The motor 30 is generally mounted in horizontal alignment with the first sleeve 45 such that the shaft 31 of the motor 30 extends laterally outwardly from the motor 30 through the tubular channel 45' of the sleeve 45 and having the opposing end thereof mounted on the bracket 48. As was previously indicated, the motor 30 is connected to the power source or batteries 29 by means of a pair of wires 26, which extend downwardly from the motor to the switch 27 and ultimately to the contact plates 25. Where the frame 35 includes hollow portions, the wires 26 may be disposed within hollow cavities of the frame members as partially shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Interposed between the frame 35 and the motor 30 along the shaft 31 is a slip clutch 32 which functions to disengage the shaft 31 and prevent further rotational movement thereof in the event that the cord 50 is prevented from rotating. This feature prevents damage to the motor in the event the cord 50 is in some manner entrapped or otherwise prevented from rotating, and even more importantly, the slip clutch 32 prevents injury to a participant in the game where, during the process of jumping over the cord, the cord 50 becomes entangled about the foot or ankle of the participant. In this event, the cord is prevented from further rotating and thereby activates the slip clutch 32 disengaging the shaft 31 and thereby preventing further rotational movement of the shaft and concomitantly further rotational movement of the cord 50.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of this invention wherein a series of amusement devices as described hereinabove are sequentially mounted to permit several participants to partake of the jumping game. In this embodiment there is shown a base 70 which carries a mounting post 71 thereon to which is mounted a first U-shaped frame portion generally indicated at 72. In addition, there is shown a motor mount 73 on which is mounted a motor 74 providing the means for rotating each of the cords. Also mounted to the base 70 is a housing 75 enclosing a belt 76 which is looped about a first channeled wheel 77 rotatably driven by the motor 74 by means of a shaft 78, and a second channeled wheel 79 which is spaced upwardly from the first wheel 77 and mounted to a main shaft 80. The main shaft 80 is rotatably supported at its one end on a mounting bar 81 and at its other end on a support bar 82. The support bar 82 is laterally spaced from the base 70, having a plurality of U-shaped frame portions 72 sequentially mounted therebetween. The mounting bar 81 and support bar 82 are each securely affixed to respectively opposed vertical members 83a and 83b of spaced

U-shaped frame portions

72 and 72" by means of bolts 97 provided therein. The vertical member 83b is in turn supported by a second base 84 which is spaced from the first base 70 and is adapted to rest in horizontal alignment therewith. Interposed between the mounting bar 81 and the housing 75 along the main shaft 80 is a slip clutch 99 which functions to disengage the main shaft 80 and prevent further rotational movement thereof in the event any of the cords 95 become entrapped or entangled about one of the participants in the game. The slip clutch 99 is similar in function, operation and construction with the slip clutch 32 described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. If desired, the embodiment illustrated in H6. 12 may be provided with a plurality of slip clutches such that the rotatable shaft for each U-shaped frame portion may be individually disengaged in the event the respective cord mounted on that frame portion becomes entrapped or entangled. This construction may be easily accomplished by incorporating the several slip clutches in the construction of the several upper channeled

wheels

91, 91', and 91".

Each U-shaped frame portion 72 includes a pair of

sleeves

85 and 86 which are mounted thereon in horizontal and axial alignment as described with respect to

sleeves

45 and 46 which are illustrated in FIG. 1, and 6 through 9. The first sleeve 85 includes a tubular channel (not shown) which accommodates a shaft 87 rotatably mounted therein at its one end and fixedly mounted at its other end to a bracket 88, which is similar in construction and function to the bracket 48 described with respect to FIG. 1. Interposed between the sleeve 85 and the bracket 88 and fixedly mounted to the shaft 87 is another channeled wheel 89 which carries a belt 90 looped about the wheel 89 and another channeled wheel 91 which is fixedly mounted to the main shaft 80. A housing 92 encloses the

wheels

89 and 91 and the belt 90 looped thereabout.

The second sleeve 86 is similarly provided with a tubular channel (not shown) which accommodates a pin 93 rotatably mounted within the channel at its one end and fixedly mounted to a second bracket 94. The construction and relationship of the sleeve 86, pin 93 and bracket 94 is similar in all respects to the construction and relationship described with respect to the sleeve 46, pin 47 and bracket 49 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. ln addition, the

brackets

88 and 94 have at least one cord 95 mounted thereon in the same manner as described with respect to the mounting of the cord 50 on

brackets

48 and 49 previously described. Optionally and where desired, the

brackets

88 and 94 may have a second cord 95a mounted thereon having a configuration diametrically opposed to the first cord 95 such that its rotational path is directly opposite to that of the first cord 95, also as described with respect to

cords

50 and 50 in FIG. 1.

When the motor 74 is activated, the shaft 78 mounted thereto is caused to rotate, rotating in turn the first channeled wheel 77. This rotational movement is imparted to the second channeled wheel 79 by means of the belt 76 which is securely looped about both

wheels

77 and 79, and ultimately to the main shaft 811. Rotational movement of the main shaft 80 imparts such movement to the channeled

wheels

91, 91' and 91" fixedly mounted thereto and ultimately to the lower channeled

wheels

89, 89' and 89" by means of the

belts

90, 90 and 90" securely looped thereabout. As the

lower wheels

89, 89' and 89" rotate, the

shafts

87, 87' and 87" mounted thereon also rotate and impart this rotational movement to the

respective brackets

88, 88' and 88" to which the

shafts

87, 87' and 87" are fixedly mounted. As the

brackets

88, 88' and 88" rotate, the

cords

95, 95' and 95" will rotate since the

cords

95, 95' and 95" are fixedly mounted on the respective brackets 88, 88' and 88''. In this manner, the

cords

95, 95' and 95" are rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of the main shaft 80.

Although the rotatable means which has been described with respect to the embodiment illustrated in H0. 12 of the drawings consists of a pair of channeled wheels with a belt looped thereabout, wherein one of the wheels is secured to a rotatable shaft which imparts rotational movement to the first wheel and hence to the second wheel through the belt and to a cord via the bracket, any other suitable means may be employed in order to rotate the cord throughout a circular path. For example, each U-shaped frame portion may include a separate motor for driving the associated cord independently of the remaining cords which may be mounted sequentially in the device. The particular means employedto impart rotational movement to the cord is not deemed to be a critical element with respect to this invention.

The second U-shaped frame portion 72' is connected to the first U-shaped frame portion 72 by means of a connecting bar 96 which is provided on each end of successive frame portions for connecting adjacent U-shaped frame portions together. The construction and functioning of each adjacent U-shaped frame portion is similar to that described with respect to the first U-shaped frame portion 72 described above. Any number of frame portions may be consecutively joined together each having a cord mounted between the arms of the U-shaped portion, each cord having rotatable means as described that is a pair of channeled wheels having a belt looped thereabout whereby each cord is rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of the main shaft 80.

The cord described herein may be formed of any suitable material such as synthetic organic plastic resin a metallic substance, hemp, cardboard and the like. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cord is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin which is flexible but nevertheless maintains itself in a U-shaped configuration. Such a cord may be formed by any appropriate injection molding operation or extrusion procedure during which operation the U-shaped configuration is imparted to the cord. However, a loose hemp material such as rope, may be utilized which will assume a U- shaped configuration upon commencement of the rotation thereof. Similarly, hollow lightweight aluminum bars may be used to form the cord, although such materials are not particularly preferred because of the danger such cords would present to children participating in the jumping amusement game.

As indicated previously the power source for driving the motor may conveniently be supplied in the form of batteries wired to the motor and having a switch interposed in the circuit for turning the motor on and off. A simple circuit may be provided, providing one speed for the motor and this is the most economical method of operation for the device. However, it is to be understood that the speed of the motor may be varied by providing a more complex circuit. FIG. 13 of the drawings is a schematic diagram illustrating a gang switch, generally indicated at 100 which is provided with a series of four movable contacts indicated at A and eight fixed contacts, four of which are indicated at B and the remaining four indicated at C. When the movable contacts A are moved into contact with the fixed contacts C, the batteries are connected in parallel with respect to the motor and therefore, voltage is effectively obtained from only one battery resulting in a low speed for the motor and a slow rotational speed for the cord. When the movable contacts A are moved into position in contact with fixed contacts B, the batteries are now connected partly in series and partly in parallel whereby the voltage applied to the motor is twice that supplied by each battery to provide a greater total voltage resulting in the motor running at a faster speed and hence causing a faster rotational speed for the cords. It is clear that the device may be provided with more than two speeds by providing a circuitry which will render the necessary variations of voltage to operate the motor at different speeds. The speed at which the motor is operated directly controls the speed at which the associated shaft rotates and hence, the rotational speed of the cord is likewise directly affected since the cord is rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of the shaft.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device comprising a base, a frame supported by said base and having a portion thereof of an inverted U-shaped configuration laterally offset from said base and having the ends thereof in horizontal alignment, a cord, means rotatable about a horizontal axis for supporting at least a portion of said cord at horizontally spaced locations in a generally U-shaped configuration and means for rotating said rotatable means, said means rotatable about a horizontal axis comprising a pair of shafts mounted, respectively, adjacent the ends of said U-shaped frame portion.

2. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped portion is formed of two parts detachably joined together adjacent the midpoint of said U-shaped portion.

3. The amusement device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said U-shaped portion is supported by said base only at one end thereof.

4. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cord is formed of a flexible material which sustains itself in a generally U-shaped configuration.

5. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said rotatable means includes a motor.

6. The amusement device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said rotatable means comprises a bracket having a portion of said cord mounted thereon and further provided with a rotatable shaft driven by said motor.

7. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, which includes a support member spaced from said base, a plurality of said U-shaped frame portions mounted sequentially between said base and said support member, each of said U-shaped frame portions having one of said cords rotatably mounted between the arms thereof, and means for rotating each of said cords 8. The amusement device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said device includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said base and said support member, and wherein said means for rotating each of said cords includes means mounted on each of said frame portions interconnecting said rotatable means thereon with said shaft whereby each of said cords is rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of said shaft.

Claims

7. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, which includes a support member spaced from said base, a plurality of said U-shaped frame portions mounted sequentially between said base and said support member, each of said U-shaped frame portions having one of said cords rotatably mounted between the arms thereof, and means for rotating each of said cords.

8. The amusement device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said device includes a shaft rotatably mounted on said base and said support member, and wherein said means for rotating each of said cords includes means mounted on each of said frame portions interconnecting said rotatable means thereon with said shaft whereby each of said cords is rotatably responsive to the rotational movement of said shaft.