Rope jumping device

A rope jumping device, including a rope having opposite ends, a platform and an elongated handle. The arm is rotatably mounted on the handle near one end thereof. An anchor is pivotally connected to the platform. One end of the rope is connected to the arm and the other end is connected to the anchor. The rope is of sufficient length such that a user, when standing on the platform, will be able to hold the handle above his or her head. Manipulation of the handle by rotation when the handle is elevated above the head of the user causes rotation of the arm, the rope and the anchor, with the rope describing a generally hyperbolic path above the pivotal connection of the anchor to the base. The arm is mounted on the handle for limited longitudinal movement relative to one end of the handle in addition to rotational mounting on the handle.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is directed to a self-contained rope jumping device having a 
rope which can be twirled around a generally vertical axis and operated by 
one person. 
The object of this invention is a self-contained jump rope device which can 
be twirled by one person while both the twirler and another person jump 
the revolving rope. 
Another object of this invention is a self-contained vertical twirling jump 
rope device which is usable without being attached to a fixed structure. 
Another object of this invention is a vertical jumping device which can be 
used by children as a playing toy or by adults as an exercising device. 
Other objects of the invention may be found in the following specification, 
claims and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
This invention is concerned with a jump rope device 11 which can be used by 
children for play or by adults for exercise or by either for both 
purposes. The device consists of a plastic rope 13 which can vary in 
length from 4 to 6 or 7 feet depending on whether or not the jump rope 
device is to be used specifically by children or adults. Of course, it 
should also be appreciated that a single length rope in the range of 5 to 
51/2 feet may be used by either children or adults. Polypropylene is a 
suitable material for use as the rope 13. 
The rope 13 is tethered at one end to a rotatable arm 15 and, at its 
opposite end, to a platform 17. The attachment of the rope to the platform 
is accomplished through an anchor 19 which is pivotally attached to the 
platform for rotation above a vertical axis as viewed in FIG. 1. 
The anchor 19 is bent with a flattened portion in contact with the platform 
17 and a bent-up portion which clears the platform when the anchor is 
rotated. The rotatable arm 15 is supported for rotation at one end of an 
elongated cylindrical handle 23. The attachment of the arm to the handle 
is achieved through the provision of a circular opening 25 at one end of 
the handle which fits over a necked portion 27 of the handle which is of 
reduced diameter. The reduced diameter necked portion 27 extends a short 
longitudinal distance along the handle from one end thereof. At the outer 
end of the necked portion is a cap 29 which has a diameter greater than 
that of the circular opening 25 so that the arm 15 will be retained on the 
handle. The cap 29 can be attached to the necked portion 27 in any 
conventional manner. A shoulder 31 is formed on the handle at the inner 
end of the necked portion. The shoulder 31 has a diameter greater than 
that of the cylindrical opening 25 in the arm 15. This method of mounting 
the arm 15 on the handle 23 not only allows the arm 15 to rotate relative 
to the handle 23, but also permits an up and down tilting action of the 
arm relative to the handle limited only by the engagement of the arm 15 
with the shoulder 31 or the cap 29 of the handle 23. 
The anchor 19 is pivotally mounted on the platform 17 through means of an 
opening 33 formed in the flattened portion of the anchor which rests on 
the platform. The opening 33 receives a knob 35 having a peripheral flange 
37 which extends over the anchor. The knob 35 is held in position by a 
screw 39 which fits through an opening 41 in the platform and extends a 
threaded passage 43 in the knob. A plastic washer 45 is positioned between 
the knob and the platform. The arm 15, platform 17, anchor 19, handle 23, 
knob 35 and washer 45 may be formed of high impact styrene or 
polyethylene. Of course, other suitable materials may also be used. 
In use, player positions the handle 23 high above his or her head and 
rotates the arm 15 by swinging the handle 23. Swinging of the handle 
causes rotation of the rope 13 in a hyperbolic shaped generated sphere 
about a vertical axis extending through the knob 35. During use, a player 
may stand on the platform 17 to hold it in position on a supporting 
surface. A player can jump rope with one foot on each end of the platform 
17 or with both at one end thereof. Two players can jump the rope 13 as 
one player spins it through manipulation of the handle 23. The rather 
flexible mounting of the arm 15 on the necked portion 27 of the handle 23 
permits a flopping up and down motion of the rope 13 as the player jumps 
up and down.