Training Frame For Use In Learning How To Ride A Unicycle Or Walk On The Hands

Abstract

A unicycle training device in the form of a mobile frame open at the front to the supporting floor between vertical side rails that extend materially above the head of the learner when mounted on the seat of a unicycle between outwardly curved horizontal side rails which are adapted to be grasped by the hands of the learner, who must have freedom for balancing gyrations when so mounted prior to propelling the unicycle through the open front of said frame free of said rails and for other training in balancing free of said frame. The device comprises a pair of U-shaped members mounted on casters and secured together by parallel brackets. The lower bracket is an arc of a circle and spaced about hip high from the floor.

Description

This invention relates to a training frame and more particularly to a frame for use in learning the art of balancing.

It is an object of this invention to produce a frame for use in learning the art of balancing on a unicycle.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a frame for use in learning the art of balancing while walking on the hands.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a frame as aforesaid which can be used to learn how to walk on the hands and to ride a unicycle.

These and other objects of the invention will become manifest upon reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the use of the frame of this invention in learning how to ride a unicycle; and

FIG. 2 is a view showing the use of the frame in learning how to walk on the hands.

In accordance with the invention an elongated frame is mounted on casters for travelling over the floor and is provided with supporting bars to support the student during the learning process and which will allow frequent trials. Thus, one side of the frame is open to permit the student to leave the frame for unsupported trials when he believes that he is sufficiently advanced in the training process.

With reference to the drawings there is illustrated a training frame comprising a pair of U-shaped members 2, 4 consisting of a pair of legs 6, 8 and an integral bight portion 10. The members are secured together in planes normal to the floor 12 by a pair of brackets. The upper bracket comprises straight bars 14, 16, 18 secured to legs 6 and 8 by fittings 20. The lower bracket comprises arcuate bars 22, 24, 26 secured to the legs by fittings 28. The bars are curved along a radius such as to allow a learner L riding a unicycle U to freely swing his hips in order to allow him to carry out the gyrations necessary during the learning process. When the learner feels that he no longer requires the use of the frame he can pedal his way through the opening formed by the legs 6 and the open ends of the brackets.

The frame is supported by casters 30 secured to tee legs 6 and 8 to allow the frame to be propelled by tee learner. However, free movement of the frame will provide no support when it is not needed since the frame can be merely pushed away. The casters are therefore braked sufficiently to prevent the escape of the frame when pushed by the learner.

A pair of bars 32, 34 are secured to the legs 6 by fittings 36. The bars extend toward each other a distance such as to allow the forearm of a learner to contact the bars for propelling the frame during the learning process. The curvature of arcuate bars 22, 24, and 26 is such as to allow the learner to freely swing his hips in order to permit him to carry out the necessary gyrations. The bight portions 10 are located above the floor a distance such as to be engaged by the free ends of the legs to provide the desired support. A member 38 is secured to the legs 6 and 8 to provide support in a plane normal to bight portions 10. When the learner feels that he no longer requires the use of the frame he can walk through the opening formed by the legs 6 and the open side of the frame.

I prefer to make the frame including the fittings of aluminum or aluminum alloy and weld the parts together as illustrated but the frame could be made of a heavier material to provide added inertia if desired.

Claims

I claim:

1. A training frame for use by a student in learning the art of balancing comprising a pair of U-shaped members, means supporting said frame for movement over a floor, at least one pair of parallel U-shaped brackets secured to the U-shaped members for holding said members in parallel planes normal to the floor, said brackets being mounted with the openings of the U facing in the same direction, the lower one of the brackets being formed as a segment of the circumference of a circle and positioned substantially midway the length of the arms of the U of the members whereby to allow uninhibited movement of the hips of the student.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the frame for movement over a floor comprises casters secured to the ends of the legs of the U-shaped members and further including bars secured adjacent the casters on the legs defining a part of the opening and extending toward each other, the distance between the bars being such as to allow a learner to walk on his hands between the bars.