U.S. patent application number 09/991393 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for pogo sticks.
Invention is credited to Fetterleigh, Dale Michael, Gottlieb-Myers, Karen.
Application Number | 20040214691 09/991393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33300451 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040214691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gottlieb-Myers, Karen ; et
al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Pogo sticks
Abstract
A pogo stick includes (a) a handle, (b) a bellows extending from
the handle, (c) a helical spring disposed within, and coupled to,
the bellows to become constrained when the bellows is constrained,
(d) an actuator disposed within the helical turns of the spring,
(e) a platform disposed on the actuator for supporting a user
standing on the platform and (f) a at the bottom of the actuator.
When the bellows and the spring are constrained, the release of the
constraint causes the pogo stick to hop on a support surface.
Training members made from a resilient material and disposed at
opposite ends of the platform are coupled to the platform at
intermediate positions along their length. The training members are
disposed in the direction that the user is facing when he stands on
the platform. The training members extend outwardly and downwardly
from the platform to a support surface to provide a support on the
support surface at four (4) spaced positions. The outward direction
of the training members at their opposite ends is enhanced by a
flattening of the training members when the pogo stick is actuated
to provide a hopping movement of the pogo stick. The training
members provide a balance to the pogo stick in the manner of
trainer wheels on a bicycle. In this way, a young child can learn
to operate a pogo stick properly and safely. The training members
can then be removed from the pogo stick.
Inventors: |
Gottlieb-Myers, Karen; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Fetterleigh, Dale Michael; (San
Bernardino, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
HOWARD HUGHES CENTER
6060 CENTER DRIVE
TENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
33300451 |
Appl. No.: |
09/991393 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 25/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/015 |
International
Class: |
A63K 003/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination for use in a pogo stick, a collapsible bellows, a
spring disposed in the bellows and coupled to the bellows for
constraint in accordance with the collapse of the bellows, a handle
disposed at the top of the bellows for grasping by the hands of
pogo stick user, an actuator disposed at its upper end within the
spring in the bellows and extending at its lower end below the
bellows and below the spring, and a platform coupled to the spring
at the bottom of the spring for movement with the spring between
the constrained and the unconstrained relationships.
2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, training members
attached to the platform and extending from the platform to a
support surface to provide stability to the pogo stick on the
support surface when the user operates the pogo stick.
3. In a combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the training
members constitute a pair each attached to the platform on opposite
side from the attachment of the other to the platform.
4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the
training members is attached to the platform at an intermediate
position on the training member and wherein the opposite ends of
each training member extend to the surface at spaced positions on
the support surface.
5. In a combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein the spaced
disposition of the opposite ends of each of the training members on
the support surface is in substantially the direction in which the
user is facing and wherein each of the training members is made
from a resilient material.
6. In combination for use in a pogo stick, a platform for receiving
the feet of a user in a standing relationship, an actuator
extending above and below the platform, a bellows normally
unconstrained and manually movable by the user into a constrained
relationship, a handle extending from the top of the bellows, and a
spring enclosed within the bellows and operatively coupled to the
bellows at a position above the platform to become constrained in
accordance with the constraint of the bellows.
7. In a combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the actuator,
the enclosed bellows and the spring are disposed in an aligned
relationship.
8. In a combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the bellows is
formed from a plurality of scalloped portions each displaced in a
vertical direction from the others and wherein the spring is
helical and wherein the scalloped portions of the bellows and the
spring are coaxial and wherein the bellows and the spring are
coupled to each other to provide a constraint of the spring when
the bellows is constrained.
9. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, including training
members are attached to the platform for providing stability to the
pogo stick when the pogo stick is actuated from one position on a
support surface to another position on the support surface.
10. In a combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the bellows is
formed from a plurality of scalloped portions each displaced in a
vertical direction from the others and wherein the spring is
helical and wherein the scalloped portions and the spring are
coaxial and wherein the bellows and the spring are coupled to each
other to provide a constraint of the spring when the bellows is
constrained and wherein training members are attached to the
platform for providing stability to the pogo stick when the pogo
stick is actuated from one position on a support surface to another
position on the support surface.
11. A pogo stick, including a platform for supporting the feet of a
user with the user in a standing position on the platform, an
actuator extending through the platform from a position below the
platform to a position above the platform, constrainable means
operatively coupled to the actuator for providing for a movement of
the platform and the actuator when the constrainable means are
constrained and the constraint is released, handle bars attached to
the constrainable means at the upper end of the constrainable
means, and training members extending from the platform for
enhancing the stability of the pogo stick on a support surface when
the pogo stick is actuated.
12. A pogo stick as set forth in claim 11 wherein the training
members are removable from the platform when the user has become
skilled in operating the pogo stick.
13. A pogo stick as set forth in claim 11 wherein the training
members are made from a resilient material and are attached to the
platform at an intermediate position along the length of the
training members to become flattened on the support surface when
the pogo stick is actuated.
14. A pogo stick as set forth in clam 11 wherein the training
members have opposite ends disposed on a support surface to enhance
the stability of the pogo stick on the support surface and wherein
the training members are disposed in a direction substantially
perpendicular to a line between the feet of the user on the
platform and wherein the training members constitute a pair
separated from each other in a direction corresponding to the
distance between the feet of the user on the platform.
15. A pogo stick as set forth in claim 14 wherein the opposite ends
of each training member become separated from each other by an
increased distance when the pogo stick moves from a position above
the support surface to the support surface.
16. In combination, a pogo stick actuatable by a user to produce
hopping movements of the user and the pogo stick along a support
surface, the pogo stick including a platform for supporting the
user in a standing position on the platform, and training members
coupled to the platform to enhance the stability of the pogo stick
on the support surface when the pogo stick is actuated.
17. In a combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein the training
members are made from a resilient material.
18. In a combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein the training
members have opposite ends disposed on the support surface and
wherein the training members are attached at an intermediate
position to the platform.
19. In a combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein a pair of
training members are provided each coupled to the platform at an
opposite side of the platform from the other and wherein the
training members are removable from the platform.
20. In a combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein the training
members have opposite ends disposed on the support surface and
wherein the training members are attached at an intermediate
position to the platform and wherein a pair of training members are
provided each coupled to the platform at an opposite side of the
platform from the other and wherein the training members are
removable from the platform.
21. In combination, a pogo stick actuatable by a user to produce
hopping movements of the user and the pogo stick along a support
surface, the pogo stick including a constrainable bellows and a
constrainable spring coupled to the bellows to become constrained
in accordance with the constraint of the bellows, the pogo stick
also including a platform for supporting the feet of a user, and
training members attached to the platform to provide stability to
the pogo stick when, upon actuation of the pogo stick from a
support surface, the pogo stick returns to the support surface.
22. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, the training members
constituting a pair, both extending in the direction in which the
user is facing with the user's feet on the platform and one
disposed on one side of the platform and the other disposed on the
other side of the platform.
23. In a combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein the training
members are resilient and have a looped configuration and are
attached to the platform at intermediate positions in the looped
configuration and are disposed on a support surface at their
opposite ends.
24. In a combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein each of the
members is disposed at its opposite ends to flex outwardly when the
pogo stick is actuated to provide a hopping movement.
25. In a combination as set forth in claim 22 wherein the training
members are resilient and have a looped configuration and are
attached to the platform at intermediate positions in the looped
configuration and are disposed on a support surface at their
opposite ends and wherein each of the members is disposed at its
opposite ends to flex outwardly when the pogo stick is actuated to
provide a hopping movement.
26. In a combination as set forth in claim 25 wherein each of the
members extends outwardly at its opposite ends in the distance
between the platform and the support surface and wherein the
outward direction of each member at its opposite ends is enhanced
by a flattening of the support member when the pogo stick is
actuated to provide a hopping movement of the pogo stick.
27. In combination, a pogo stick actuatable by a user to produce
hopping movements of the user and the pogo stick along a support
surface, the pogo stick also including a handle for manual gripping
by the user, the pogo stick also including a platform for receiving
the feet of the user, the pogo stick also including a spring
disposed between the handle and the platform for constraint in a
direction corresponding to the direction between the handle and the
platform, and training members attached to the platform to provide
stability to the pogo stick when, upon actuation of the pogo stick
from a support surface, the pogo stick returns to the support
surface.
28. In a combination as set forth in claim 27, the training members
constituting resilient rods attached to the bottom of the platform
at an intermediate position along the length of the rods and
extending to the support surface at their opposite ends.
29. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein the training
members are resiliently attached to the platform and are disposed
in the direction in which the user is facing when the user is
disposed on the platform.
30. In a combination as set forth in claim 27 wherein the training
members are constructed and disposed relative to the platform to
become constrained when the pogo stick, upon actuation, returns to
the support surface.
31. In a combination as set forth in claim 29 wherein the training
members are constructed and disposed relative to the platform to
become constrained when the pogo stick, upon actuation, returns to
the support surface.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to pogo sticks and, more
particularly, to pogo sticks for young children. Even more
particularly, the invention relates to pogo sticks with training
members which are applied to the pogo sticks when young children
are learning how to operate the pogo sticks and which are removed
from the pogo sticks after the young children have learned how to
operate the pogo sticks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pogo sticks have been in existence for decades and provide a
distinct pleasure to children, particularly to children of advanced
age, when operated properly. To operate a pogo stick, a child steps
on a foot rest on a housing on the pogo stick, grasps a handle on
the housing and hops through successive iterations until the child
loses his or her balance or has reached a particular count of hops.
It is a challenge, and provides a series of challenges, to a child
to be able to hop on the pogo stick through a number of successive
iterations without having to jump from the pogo stick because of a
loss of balance.
[0003] Pogo sticks are generally used by children in the age group
of approximately seven (7) to twelve (12) years. It would be
desirable to provide pogo sticks for children in the age group
younger than seven (7) years. However, these children are not able
to provide the balance that older children can provide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A pogo stick includes (a) a handle, (b) a bellows extending
from the handle, (c) a helical spring disposed within, and coupled
to, the bellows to become constrained when the bellows is
constrained, (d) an actuator disposed within the helical turns of
the spring, (e) a platform disposed on the actuator for supporting
a user standing on the platform and (f) a cap at the bottom of the
actuator. When the bellows and the spring are constrained, the
release of the constraint causes the pogo tick to hop on a support
surface. Training members made from a resilient material and
disposed at opposite ends of the platform are coupled to the
platform at intermediate positions along their length. The training
members are disposed in the direction that the user is facing when
he stands on the platform. The training members extend outwardly
and downwardly from the platform to a support surface to provide a
support on the support surface at four (4) spaced positions. The
outward direction of the training members at their opposite ends is
enhanced by a flattening of the training members when the pogo
stick is actuated to provide a hopping movement of the pogo stick.
The training members provide a balance to the pogo stick in the
manner of trainer wheels on a bicycle. In this way, a young child
can learn to operate a pogo stick properly and safely. The training
members can then be removed from the pogo stick.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] In the drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pogo stick, as seen from a
position in front of the pogo stick, including a bellows, a spring
and removable training members for teaching young children how to
maintain their balance when learning how to operate the pogo stick,
the pogo stick being shown in an unconstrained relationship;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pogo stick in the
unconstrained relationship of the pogo member;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partially in section,
showing the internal construction of the pogo stick when the pogo
stick is in an unconstrained relationship;
[0009] FIG. 4a is a fragmentary front elevational view of the pogo
stick with the bellows, the spring and the training members in an
unconstrained relationship on a support surface; and
[0010] FIG. 4b is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to
that shown in FIG. 4a and shows the pogo stick in a constrained
relationship with the bellows, the spring and the training members
on the support surface, a portion of the pogo stick being broken
away to show other elements in additional detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] FIGS. 1-4 show a pogo stick, generally indicated at 10,
constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention. The pogo
stick 10 includes a bellows 12 defined by a series of scalloped
portions 14. The bellows 12 is constrainable upon the exertion of a
force in the vertical direction on the bellows. A handle generally
indicated at 16 and having a pair of oppositely extending handle
bars 18 is disposed at the upper end of the bellows 12. An
ornamental area 19 may be provided between the handle 16 and the
bellows 12 to receiver decoration for enhancing the aesthetic
effect of the pogo stick 10 to a child. A pedestal or foot rest 20
is disposed at the lower end of the bellows 12.
[0012] A scaffold 22 is disposed within the bellows. The scaffold
22 is coupled to the bellows 12 by rigidifiers 24 at alternate ones
of the scallops 14. The scaffold 22 extends to the lower surface of
the platform 20 as indicated at 26. A spring 28, preferably
helical, is confined between sleeves 30 and 32 which are disposed
respectively at the upper and lower ends of the scaffold. An
actuator 34 extends through the helical turns of the spring 28 to a
position below the platform 20. A cap 36 preferably made from a
suitable material such as rubber is disposed on the actuator 34 at
the bottom of the actuator.
[0013] Training members generally indicated at 38 and made from a
resilient material such as steel are suitably attached to the
bottom of the platform 20. The training members 38 may be in the
form of resilient rods. The attachment of the training members 38
to the platform is provided 40 by flanges in FIG. 3, and by screws
41 in FIG. 4b, at an intermediate position along the length of the
training members. The attachment is such as to provide for the
removal of the training members 38 from the platform when the child
using the pogo stick has learned how to operate the pogo stick 10
properly.
[0014] The training members 38 are disposed to extend in the same
direction as the direction in which the child is facing when the
child is standing on the platform 20. The training members 38 are
provided with a roll-up configuration 42 at their opposite ends so
that the child cannot be injured by sharp projections on the
training members and so that the disposition of the training
members 42 on a support surface 44 is stabilized. The roll-up
configurations 42 also prevent the training members 38 from
scratching the support surface 44.
[0015] When a child desires to operate the pogo stick 10, the child
disposes the child's feet on the platform 20 and manually grasps
the handle bars 18 at the opposite ends of the handles 16. The
child then operates the pogo stick 10 to provide progressive hops
along the support surface 44. Every time that the actuator 34
impinges on the support surface 44, the spring 28 becomes
constrained to provide energy for the next hop on the ground. The
constraint of the spring 28 becomes relieved when the actuator 34
leaves the support surface 44 in the next hop.
[0016] The training members 38 constitute rods made from a
resilient material. The training members 38 normally have a
disposition on the support surface 44 as shown in FIG. 4a. When the
training members 38 impinge on the support surface 44 at the end of
a hop as shown in FIG. 4b, the opposite ends of each training
member 38 become further separated from each other as shown in FIG.
4b. This enhances the stability of the pogo stick 10 on the support
surface 44 and facilitates the training of the child to operate the
pogo stick properly. When the child has learned how to operate the
pogo stick 10 properly, the training members 38 can be easily
removed from the platform by removing the screws 42 in FIG. 4b.
[0017] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated
with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved
are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments which will be
apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is,
therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *