Patent Grant
11565189
The present disclosure relates generally to overhead teeter totter equipment.
Various exercise or play devices are known and have been around for years. For example, many children have used teeter totters where one child goes up, while the other goes down, while sitting on a board or plank balanced on a fulcrum. However, there are improvements that may be beneficial to such devices.
The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described in the present disclosure may be practiced.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device that may include a vertical pole, and a horizontal pole suspended at a top end of the vertical pole. The device may also include a mechanical pivot point between the vertical pole and the horizontal pole, and a handgrip suspended at a distal end of the horizontal pole. The device may also include a first chain suspended from the horizontal pole between the handgrip and the mechanical pivot point. The device may additionally include a mechanical device to removably couple the first chain to the handgrip such that when the first chain is coupled to the handgrip, a heavier user is able to use the device compared to when the first chain is not coupled to the handgrip.
The object and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
Currently, there are some options for an overhead exercise or playground equipment which have functions similar to that of a teeter totter, sometimes called a seesaw. Some of these options attempt to provide good exercise, but they fail to meet the needs of the industry because the users are seated and can only use their leg muscles. Other options attempt to provide a safe user environment, but do not keep the equipment high enough to prevent some of the moving parts from striking the users or spectators. Still other options attempt to allow for physically different users, but do not take into consideration the differences in height and weight and provide an easy method/device to allow the users to adjust for physical differences. Still other options seek to provide shock absorption, but these options also fail to meet industry needs because they do not store mechanical energy, which provides shock absorption and full use of the stored energy to provide a more active exercise device.
It may be desirable to provide an exercise device which engages the whole body in exercise not just the legs or arms. Furthermore, it may be desirable using a mechanical energy storage device that one or two people can use it at the same time. Still, further, it may be desirable to have a device that allows to people with different physical characteristics to engage together in exercise, such as a parent and child. In one or more embodiments of the disclosed device, these needs may be advantageously filled and/or the aforementioned deficiencies may be addressed by providing an exercise device that permits the participant to pull downward and jump upward, with adjustments made for different heights and weights of the participants.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The device may also have one or more of the following: (a) a pivot point assembly containing a vertical frame (50) a horizontal frame (40) bracket assembly (60) and the pivot point (30); (b) mechanical energy storage device(s) (90) such as but not limited to, springs, elastic bands or bungee cords, among others; (c) fixed attachment brackets (85) or adjustable attachment brackets (80) for attaching mechanical energy storage device (90) or chains (100) to the exercise device; (d) multiple locations on the horizontal pole (20) closer to the center for attachment brackets (80) for additional chains (100); (e) attached “S” hook or hooks (130) on chains (100); (f) the vertical pole (10) may be attached at the bottom end to a ground sleeve (140) embedded in concrete (160) and/or secured with bolts (70).
The disclosed device may provide: (1) user handgrips, which allow a user to physically engage in a full body exercise; (2) a simple, easy device to compensate for differences in height and weight between two users; and (3) a device that stores energy continuously throughout a full range of movement to provide a rebound effect similar to that of a trampoline.
In some embodiments, the height of the movable horizontal bar may be selected prevents injuries. Additionally or alternatively, the use of a handgrip may allow for greater physical exercise compared to a teeter totter upon which the user sits down. Additionally or alternatively, simple to use “S” hooks or other mechanical linkages may provide a quick and easy way to correct for differences in users' heights and/or weights. Additionally or alternatively, mechanical energy storage devices may allow for a continuous rebound effect by one or both users over the full spectrum of movement, and may not be used just for shock absorption. Such mechanical energy storage devices may also be adjustable for different effects, including one-person use.
The present disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, the device may include a rigid vertical pole (10). The vertical pole (10) may be tall enough to suspend a rigid horizontal pole (20) high enough to prevent anyone on the ground from being struck by it, and on the lower end, the vertical pole (10) may be physically held in place by a sleeve (140), which may embedded in concrete (160) and secured by bolts (70), thus allowing to be easily installed, removed or repaired. In some embodiments, the height of the vertical pole may include five feet, six feet, seven feet, eight feet, ten feet, twelve feet, or any ranges therebetween, such as between five feet and twelve feet, between six feet and ten feet, or any other heights.
In some embodiments, the device may include a pivot point assembly including a sleeve (45) and frame (50) which may be slipped over and attached to the vertical pole (10) and secured using bolts (70). Horizontal sleeve (40) may be attached to frame (60) that may include a round hole and sleeve for a pivot point bolt (30). The horizontal sleeve (40) may slip over a rigid horizontal pole (20) and may be secured by bolts (70). In some embodiments, the attachment brackets (80) may be secured near the ends of the rigid horizontal pole (20), which suspend chains (100) down and attach to user handgrips (120).
In some embodiments, the device may include “S” hook(s) (130), one side of which may be permanently attached to the suspended chain (100), and the other side may allow a user to take slack out of the suspended chain (100) to compensate for different height users. For example, by attaching the “S” hook of the chain closest to the handgrip (120), the chain (100) from which the handgrip (120) is suspended may be shortened such that a taller user is able to use the handgrip (120) to use the device. Additionally or alternatively, the “S” hook (130) of the chain (100) from which the handgrip (120) is suspended may be coupled to the horizontal pole (20) such that the handgrip (120) is suspended higher than when the chain (100) is able to hang free.
In some embodiments, additional suspended chains (100) may be attached to the horizontal pole (20) closer to the center to allow the “S” hook (130) on the first suspended chain (100) that has the handgrip (120) to attach to the chains closer to the center, thereby compensating for the weight of a heavier user. For example, by shifting where the weight is applied to the horizontal pole (20), the dynamic of balancing about the pivot point changes. For example, a heavier weight closer to the pivot point will be balanced by a lighter weight further away from the pivot point.
In some embodiments, mechanical energy storage device(s) (90) may be attached to both the vertical and horizontal poles using the adjustable brackets (80). In these and other embodiments, one or more of these energy storage devices (90) may be installed, including several (such as three, four, five, six, seven, or more). In some embodiments, the mechanical energy storage device(s) (90) may be attached in singular, in parallel, in series, or in any combinations thereof to facilitate a user's rebound experience much like that of a trampoline effect and may be configured to allow for a one-person usage. For example, a sufficient number, combination, or strength of energy storage devices (90) may be located on a side opposite of a handgrip (120) such that as the single user utilizes the device, the rebound forces pulls the user upwards. In some embodiments, the rebound force for the single user may be an assistive pull such that the user still uses some of their own effort to move back upward, while other times the rebound force may be stronger (e.g., strong enough to pull the single user off the ground).
Continuing the description of
One or more mechanical energy storage devices (90) may be connected to an adjustable bracket (80). One end of such mechanical energy storage devices (90) may be attached to the vertical pole (10) and the other end to the horizontal pole (20). Also shown are weight compensating chains (170) suspended from rigid horizontal pipe (20) near the outside ends. “S” hooks (130) may be used to adjust lengths of suspended chains (100) for different heights of users. “S” hooks (130) may also be used to connect to the weight compensating chain (170) for different weight of users.
In operation, a user on each side may grasp the handgrips (120). A first user may lift their feet up or otherwise pull the horizontal pole (20) downwards towards the user. As the horizontal pole (20) is pulled downwards on one side of the pivot point, the other side goes upwards, pulling a second user upwards as they hold onto the second handgrip (120). Based on the weight of the second user pulled upwards, gravity, and/or any mechanical energy storage devices (90), after being pulled upwards, the second user is pulled downwards. This causes a corresponding upwards pull on the first user holding on to the first handgrip (120). Use of the devices progresses back and forth, alternating pulling the first user downwards and upwards and the second user upwards and downwards.
In some embodiments, a combination of the energy storage devices (90) and the chains 170 may be utilized to offset a heavier user of the device. For example, a parent using the device with their child may couple one or more of the chains 170 to the handgrip 120 on the parent's side via the “S” hook 130 and also attach additional energy storage devices (90) on the child's side.
In some embodiments, rather than having the horizontal pole (10) being centered in the horizontal sleeve (40), if one side is expected to be frequently used by a heavier user, the horizontal pole (10) may be offset from center such that one distal end is longer than the other relative to the pivot point and the horizontal sleeve (40).
In some embodiments, the “S” hook of the chain (100) may be attached to the adjustable bracket (80) to shorten the length of the chain (100) for a taller user. In some embodiments, both (or more) of the chains (170) may be coupled to the handgrip via the “S” hook of the chain (100) to offset the weight of the user. For example, the first “S” hook (130) may be coupled to the chain (100) at the “S” hook (130) of the chain (100), and the second “S” hook (130) of the chain (170) may be coupled to the first “S” hook (130) of the first chain 170 and/or the “S” hook (130) of the chain (100).
In some embodiments, the “S” hook (130) of the chain (100) may be partially along the length of the chain (100) such that there is still a span of the chain (100) between the “S” hook (130) and the handgrip (120). In some embodiments, the “S” hook (130) may be located approximately halfway along the length of the chain (100). In some embodiments, the “S” hook (130) may be at approximately the same length as the “S” hook (130) of the chain(s) (170). In these and other embodiments, the chain(s) (170) may be shorter than the chain (100).
While typically described herein as being a “chain,” it will be appreciated that a cable, a rope, or any other similar or comparable length of material or of joined components (like chain links) may be used and is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.
Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.
In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/234,554, filed on Aug. 18, 2021; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1207399 | Hardy | Dec 1916 | A |
| 1402368 | Mongillo | Jan 1922 | A |
| 2603272 | Rowand | Jul 1952 | A |
| 3664665 | Scott | May 1972 | A |
| 5951406 | Steane | Sep 1999 | A |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63234554 | Aug 2021 | US |
