U.S. patent application number 11/439101 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for pogo ball.
Invention is credited to Harold Frankel, Michael Goldman, Jack Lovewell.
Application Number | 20070275832 11/439101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38750189 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070275832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldman; Michael ; et
al. |
November 29, 2007 |
POGO BALL
Abstract
An amusement device that includes an elastic ball, a rigid,
generally rectangular platform surrounding the ball so as to give
the ball a figure eight appearance, an elongated elastic handle
extending upwardly from the center of the ball, and a plurality of
straps releasably securing the handle to the platform. The handle
includes an upper section, a lower section, and a bar extending
generally horizontally outwardly from the upper section of the
handle. The bar may be grasped by a person while bouncing on the
ball. The handle and the ball are made from an elastic material
such as rubber.
Inventors: |
Goldman; Michael; (Mt.
Laurel, NJ) ; Lovewell; Jack; (Kunkletown, PA)
; Frankel; Harold; (Mt. Laurel, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NORMAN E. LEHRER, P.C.
1205 NORTH KINGS HIGHWAY
CHERRY HILL
NJ
08034
US
|
Family ID: |
38750189 |
Appl. No.: |
11/439101 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/77 ;
482/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 26/003 20130101; A63B 22/18 20130101; A63B 43/02 20130101;
A63B 2022/0033 20130101; A63B 25/08 20130101; A63B 21/0004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/077 ;
482/123 |
International
Class: |
A63B 25/08 20060101
A63B025/08; A63B 21/02 20060101 A63B021/02; A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. An amusement device comprising: an elastic ball having a top
half and a bottom half; a rigid platform surrounding said ball so
that said top half extends above said platform and said bottom half
extends below said platform, giving said ball a figure eight
appearance; a flexible, elongated elastic handle extending upwardly
from the center of said ball; and means for mounting said elastic
handle to said platform, said mounting means including a plurality
of straps having upper portions and lower portions, said upper
portions being connected to said handle and said lower portions
being secured to said platform.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of straps are equally spaced around said ball and
essentially encircle the top half of said ball.
5. The amusement device as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one
of said straps includes a means for releasably connecting the upper
portion thereof to the lower portion thereof.
6. The amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform
is generally rectangular.
7. The amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle
includes an upper section, a lower section, and a pair of bars
extending generally horizontally outwardly from said upper section
of said handle, said bars being adapted to be grasped by a person
while bouncing on said ball.
8. The amusement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle
is made from an elastic material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed toward an amusement device
that allows a person to bounce using a ball and more particularly,
toward a device that allows a person to bounce freely in a
controlled manner without undue restraint.
[0002] Children of all ages enjoy the weightless feel of bouncing.
For example, pogo sticks, trampolines, and moon bouncers, all amuse
children of various ages because the child is able to bounce in the
air, seemingly without restraint. A traditional pogo stick,
however, is somewhat rigid and does not provide a very elastic
movement. Moon bouncers are a favorite among younger children
however they are rather large so that individuals tend not to own
them. They are more often rented or found at fairs, amusement
parks, or the like. While trampolines are often owned by
individuals, they are rather large and are not easily portable.
[0003] Various types of smaller, very elastic amusement devices are
known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,229 to Van Der Cleyen et
al. discloses a jump ball that includes a disk-shaped foot support
that extends around an inflatable ball so as to give the ball a
substantially figure eight shape. A person stands on the foot
support and pushes his or her ankles against the ball to retain it
in place and then jumps up and down like a pogo stick. But unlike a
pogo stick, this invention does not have a handle so that a person
must balance on the ball unaided. This makes it somewhat difficult
to use and can create a potentially dangerous situation.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,809 to Blankenzee also discloses a jump
ball that includes an inflatable, flexible ball with a rigid plate
that surrounds the ball. A person stands on the plate in order to
jump up and down. Again, however, this action may be dangerous
because of the limited control as the person has nothing to hold on
to as he or she is jumping. The apparatus is also difficult to use
for many people.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,179,409 to Marino discloses an elastic
amusement device that includes a ball with a frame partially
surrounding the ball with a rigid handle extending upwardly from
the frame. A person stands on the frame, holds the handle, and
bounces. However, the ball is essentially encased by the frame
thereby limiting the expansion and movement of the ball so that the
ball cannot move as freely when a person is bouncing thereon. The
rigid handle also makes the devices somewhat uncomfortable to use
as it does not absorb the shock from the bouncing ball but, rather,
transfers it to the arms and upper body of the person using the
same. The rigid handle itself can also potentially cause injury to
the person using the device if he or she should fall on the
same.
[0006] A need exists, therefore, for a bouncing amusement toy or
device that is comfortable to use and which allows the person to
freely bounce in a controlled and safe manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is designed to overcome the
deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of
the present invention to provide an amusement device that allows a
person to bounce using a ball.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
amusement device that is easier to use but also provides the
excitement of bouncing on a ball.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an amusement device that allows the user to bounce in a controlled
manner and which increases the user's confidence and
performance.
[0010] In accordance with the illustrative embodiments
demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention,
there is provided an amusement device that includes an elastic
ball, a rigid, generally rectangular platform surrounding the ball
so as to give the ball a figure eight appearance, an elongated
elastic handle extending upwardly from the ball, and means for
releasably mounting the handle onto the ball. The mounting means
includes a plurality of straps with at least one of the straps
having a releasable buckle secured thereto. The straps are secured
to the platform adjacent the ball. The handle includes an upper
section, a lower section, and a pair of bars extending generally
horizontally outwardly from the upper section of the handle. The
bars are adapted to be grasped by a person while bouncing on the
ball. The handle and the ball are made from an elastic rubber-like
material.
[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of
a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the accompanying drawings one form that is presently
preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a person using the amusement device of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the amusement device
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the amusement device of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the amusement device of the
present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view shown partially in
cross-sectional of the amusement device of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to
designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 2 an amusement
device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention and designated generally as 10.
[0019] The amusement device 10 of the present invention generally
includes an elastic ball 12, a rigid, generally rectangular
platform 14 surrounding the ball 12 so as to give the ball 12 a
substantially figure eight appearance, an elongated, elastic handle
16 extending upwardly from the ball 12, and means for releasably
mounting the handle 16 on the ball 12. The ball 12 is made from an
elastic material such as rubber or a synthetic rubber or similar
material. The platform 14, on the other hand, is preferably made of
a rigid plastic material that is strong enough to support a person
standing thereon and includes a central opening passing
therethrough. The ball 12 is located in the central opening of the
platform 14 with the top half 12a of the ball 12 extending above
the platform 14 and the bottom half 12b of the ball 12 extending
below the platform 14. (See FIG. 5.)
[0020] The mounting means for the handle 16 includes a plurality of
straps 18, 20, 22, and 24. Each strap 18, 20, 22, and 24 has a
releasable buckle 26, 28, 30, and 32, respectively, secured
thereto. The straps 18, 20, 22, and 24 are secured to the underside
of the platform 14 and pass upwardly therethrough adjacent the
central opening around the ball 12. (See FIGS. 3 and 4.) Each strap
18, 20, 22, and 24 also has a first upper member 34, 36, 38, and 40
and a second lower member 42, 44, 46, and 48, respectively. The
upper members 34, 36, 38, and 40 of the straps 18, 20, 22, and 24
are equally spaced around and are secured to and extend downwardly
from a rigid cap 50. The cap 50 fits onto the top of the ball 12
and is attached to the lower section 52 of the handle 16 in such a
way the handle is concentric with the ball 12 and extends upwardly
from the center of the amusement device 10. The lower members 42,
44, 46, and 48 of the straps 18, 20, 22, and 24 extend upwardly
from the lower surface of the platform 14 as explained above and
are in line with the upper members. Each first member 34, 36, 38,
and 40 and its respective second member 42, 44, 46, and 48 are
joined by a respective releasable buckle 28, 28, 30, and 32. The
straps 18, 20, 22, and 24 essentially encircle the upper top half
12a of the ball 12.
[0021] The handle 16 includes a lower section 52, an upper section
54, and a pair of bars 56 and 58 extending generally horizontally
outwardly from the upper section 54 of the handle 16. (See FIG. 5.)
The length of the handle 16 throughout the lower section 52 and the
upper section 54 is normally flaccid and is made from an elastic
material such as natural or synthetic rubber. The bars 56 and 58
are generally rigid and may have hand grips 60 and 62,
respectively, which are adapted to be grasped by a person while
bouncing on the ball 12. (See FIG. 1.)
[0022] In order to use the amusement device 10, a person 64 stands
on the platform 14 with one foot on either side of the ball 12,
grasps the bars 56 and 58 and pulls upwardly slightly to put some
tension on the handle 16. (See FIG. 1.) The person 64 may now
bounce while trying to balance on the platform 14. The elasticity
of the handle 16 provides an increased bouncing effect, helps the
person to balance and absorbs shock that otherwise might be
transferred from the platform 14 to the person's upper body. The
elasticity of the handle also provides constant tension thereby
allowing the person's feet to stay securely on the platform while
performing jumping maneuvers.
[0023] As pointed out above, the platform 14 is preferably made
from a rigid plastic material. However, order to provide traction
or more stable footing for the person 64 he platform 14 may also
have grid-like patterns 66 and 68 and or a rubber upper surface.
(See FIG. 3.)
[0024] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended
claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *