Tilting rotational recreational device

A tilting rotational recreational device which has a platform on which the user stands, which platform is freely rotatable upon a bearing. The angle of the platform with respect to the horizontal may be adjusted so that a user standing or sitting on the platform may induce rotational movement of the platform easily by shifting his or her center of mass. One or more additional bearings placed internally in the device optionally provide random and unpredictable rotational movements of the platform, depending on the nature of the user's shift of mass. The device may be locked into a particular angle adjustment, and all internal parts may be held securely together to facilitate safe and reliable use.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to the field of recreational devices and more 
particularly to motor skill oriented devices of the type using a 
rotationally mounted table upon which the user stands. More particularly 
this invention concerns a floor supported rotationally mounted platform 
the rotational axis of which may be angled from the perpendicular so that 
the platform assumes an attitude not parallel to the floor or other 
surface supporting the device. 
BACKGROUND ART 
It is well known in prior devices to mount a platform as a support surface 
upon a bearing means so that the platform can rotate in a horizontal 
plane. The devices are used as exercise devices or playthings by a user 
standing on the rotationally mounted platform by swinging his or her arms 
and other body parts so that a swivel motion occurs. These devices have 
been touted as providing exercise simulating downhill skiing and as a 
means to provide body conditioning helpful for the downhill skier. 
While simulating some of the movements encountered in downhill skiing, all 
but one of the devices do not provide any simulation of the downhill 
attitude assumed by skis in use. When one practices with most of the prior 
art devices and then indulges in alpine or downhill skiing activities, the 
practice on the prior art device induces muscular and balancing actions 
which cause the skis to point uphill rather than down the fall line as is 
desired. It is theorized that the configuration of the prior art device, 
being horizontal, conditions the user's muscles so that a natural response 
upon encountering an inclined surface is to cause the skis to be pointed 
around to the horizontal attitude. While the reason for this response is 
not fully understood it is noted that in all but one of the prior art 
devices, locating or shifting body weight to a location eccentric to the 
axis of rotation of the device does not induce a rotational moment about 
the axis. 
In the one prior art device in which a shifting of body weight to a 
location eccentric to the axis of the rotation of the device induces a 
rotational moment about the axis, the members of the device which 
effectuate the angling of the rotational axis from the perpendicular are 
not capable of being locked together during use of the device and thus the 
angular adjustment may slip and change, and the entire device can come 
apart during vigorous use. 
None of the prior art devices contain more than one bearing means to 
introduce an element of unpredictability to the rotation of the platform. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
The present invention differs from most of the prior art in that locating a 
weight eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotationally mounted 
platform of the invention causes a rotational moment to be applied to 
induce rotation of the platform and a user standing thereon. 
The recreational device of this invention comprises a base member having 
means therein to mount a weight supporting bearing means which may be 
angled with respect to the horizontal. The bearing means carries a 
rotatable platform thereon and is adapted for rotation with respect to the 
base and may be angled so that the axis of rotation is non-vertical. 
In a preferred embodiment of this invention this angle is variable so that 
a user may set the desired angle to suit his or her particular needs, be 
it for recreational gaming type use or serious exercise or in preparation 
for alpine or downhill skiing. Alternately, two or more users may set the 
angle needed and simultaneously use the device. In another mode of 
operation two or more users may each simultaneously use individual devices 
and compete or cooperate in games and exercises. 
The angle is set in the preferred embodiment by manipulating elements of 
the base means so that the mount of the bearing is angled with respect to, 
but still in a weight supporting relationship with, the floor engaging 
lower surface of the base means. With the bearing and the platform mounted 
thereon thus angled, the device permits the user to induce rotational 
movement by deliberately shifting body weight or center of mass to cause 
controlled rotation of both platform and user. Both the rate of rotation 
and whether or not the user performs complete rotations or swings or other 
indicia of performance are thus controllable by the user by merely 
shifting his center of mass away from the axis of rotation. Individuals or 
partner-type activities can be undertaken as either games or exercise 
activities by using one or more of the rotational devices. The single 
bearing device used singly simulates the motions encountered in downhill 
skiing more closely than having the device positioned with its rotational 
platform parallel to the support surface. 
The structure of this invention also departs from prior art in which an 
eccentrically located weight brings about rotation of the platform and the 
user standing on it, in that this invention is so constructed that the 
elements for changing the angle of the rotating platform may be easily 
manipulated to create new angles, but during use those elements may be 
locked into place and thereby any potentially dangerous vertical, lateral, 
or rotational displacement of the angle adjusting elements with respect to 
one other during use is prevented. 
In addition, the structure of this invention departs from all known prior 
art in that one embodiment of the invention comprises one or more 
additional bearing means. This additional bearing means when unlocked and 
allowed free rotation makes possible a totally different kind of movement 
in a rotating recreational device, which movement is unpredictably 
variable and therefore recreationally very challenging.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like 
parts, there is seen in FIGS. 1-7 a first and preferred embodiment of this 
invention, which may be constructed of wooden, plastic, metal or other 
materials, shown resting on a support surface 20. Base plate 22 engages 
and is supported by surface 20 and has mounted upon its upper surface 23, 
a lower skew cut column member 24. Column member 24 engages and supports a 
superjacent upper skew cut column member 26 positioned for rotation upon 
the upper surface of lower skew cut column member 24. The two column 
members 24 and 26 are held together in an axially aligned relationship by 
bolt 40 secured by wingnut 42. Bolt 40 runs through coaxial bores in 
column members 24 and 26 which are sufficiently greater in diameter than 
the bolt, as shown in FIG. 4, that whenever wingnut 42 is loosened, column 
members 24 and 26 can be easily rotated with respect to each other so that 
the skew cut configuration enables the desired change in the inclination 
of the weight support surface of the device. 
To permit the upper rotatable platform 30 to turn, a bearing mechanism 28 
is attached to the upper surface of the upper skew cut column member 26 by 
fasteners 48. The fasteners 48 extend downwardly through lower bearing 
plate 34 which is thus firmly attached to the column member 26. Ball 
bearings 38 run in raceway 36 in a well known turntable or swivel type 
bearing structure. The upper bearing plate is supported upon the ball 
bearings 38 and carries platform 30 firmly attached thereto by fasteners 
46. Base plate 22 has an axial aperture 44 to house and permit access to 
wingnut 42. 
In the preferred embodiment a plurality of plywood cylindrical elements 
were first glued together in stacked fashion to form a cylinder 
approximately 12 inches in diameter and three inches thick. This cylinder 
was then cut along a plane which was not perpendicular to the axis of the 
cylinder. The resulting skew cut cylindrical sections were then reversed 
in their positions so that a smooth, uncut surface of each engaged the 
other. When assembled the cylindrical column sections 24 and 26 assume the 
slightly canted appearance as shown in the side views of the drawings. Of 
course, other materials may be used to construct the device, especially 
injection molded plastics. 
In use the apparatus of this invention is first positioned on a support 
surface such as a floor or slab and the angular relationship between the 
base plate 22 and the platform 30 set. In the preferred embodiment shown 
in FIGS. 1-7 the angular relationship is established by loosening the 
wingnut 42 and rotating upper skew cut column 26 with respect to lower 
skew cut column 24. When the desired inclination of platform 30 is 
achieved, wingnut 42 is tightened to hold the parts of the device firmly 
together and thus prevent any potentially dangerous or recreationally 
disruptive lateral, vertical, or rotational displacement of the column 
members relative to each other. The user then mounts the platform and by 
moving parts of her body so as to change her center of mass, causes the 
platform and the user to rotate, either partially or continuously. By 
timed movements, the user can accelerate or decelerate angular motion as 
desired. 
In FIGS. 8-12 and 16 there are shown several different embodiments of the 
invention, each having a different means for altering the angular 
relationship between the base plate 22 and the rotatable platform 30. In 
FIG. 8 a hinged structure is used in which a prop 50 is placed into one of 
several possible positions at various distances from hinge 52. The angle 
assumed by the rotatable platform 30 depends upon how close the prop is 
placed to the hinge. 
FIG. 9 shows a simple hinged structure for the means to set the angle of 
the platform 30. In this embodiment hinge 62 permits the platform to be 
tilted with respect to the base 22 with the hinged link 64 providing the 
support for the upper hinged portion 66 of the base, either at the lower 
position with link 64 positioned horizontally or in the steeply angled 
position with link 64 upright. In both the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and 
in FIG. 9 the separate elements of the respective angle adjusting means 
are located in place during use by the weight of the user upon the 
rotational means, such that it is not possible to alter or change the 
angle of the rotating platform while the user is standing upon it. 
FIG. 16 shows an alternate embodiment to the invention shown in FIG. 9. 
Both hinges 62 and 65 are spring loaded with a bias toward the closed 
position of the hinge. Upper hinged portion 66 of the base contains a 
depression into which the top part of hinged link 64 fits snugly such that 
even with relatively light weight users standing upon the rotating 
platform, the spring bias of the spring loaded hinges 65 and 62 and the 
snug fit of link 64 into hinge portion 66 additionally assures that there 
can be no displacement of the angle adjusting elements during use of the 
device. A fail safe elastic means 90 is also shown for the purpose of 
holding upper hinge portion 66 under tension against the resistance of 
hinge link 64 to base 22. FIG. 16 shows one additional hinged link 64' 
with spring loaded hinge 65' which is placed at a point intermediate hinge 
link 64 and hinge 62 in order to provide a variable means of adjusting the 
angle of the rotating platform in this embodiment of the invention. 
Another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10-12, uses pairs of inclined wedges 
which cooperate rotatively to set the angle of inclination of platform 70. 
In FIG. 10 an end elevational view is shown in which the maximum 
inclination of platform 70 is achieved by having the pairs of inclined 
wedges 71 and 72 positioned parallel to wedges 73 and 74. Wedges 71 and 72 
each rest on the floor and carry support ring 78, inclined with respect to 
the floor on their upper surface. Disc 80 fits inside ring 78 and rides on 
wedges 71 and 72, while carrying wedges 73 and 74 firmly attached to its 
upper surface. Wedges 73 and 74 may thus be rotated as a unit with respect 
to wedges 71 and 72. Wedges 73 and 74 have a turntable bearing attached to 
carry the rotatable platform 70. Thus by rotating the upper wedges 73 and 
74 with respect to the lower wedges 71 and 72 the platform angle can be 
varied from that shown in FIG. 11 with the platform 70 in a substantially 
horizontal attitude to a maximum inclination of that shown in FIG. 12. In 
use it has been found that the maximum inclination for satisfactory 
operation of the device under normal operating conditions is approximately 
20 degrees from the horizontal. However, for certain applications, such as 
for simulation and training in steep downhill or alpine skiing, a maximum 
inclination of about 30 degrees from the horizontal can be used. 
An alternate embodiment of this invention utilizes a plurality of bearing 
means, at least one above and at least one below the means for adjusting 
the angle of the axis of the device. A detail of this embodiment showing a 
second bearing means 281 is contained in FIG. 13. In this more complex 
configuration an element of uncertainty is introduced in operation since 
the user will not know which bearing means will operate under any given 
motion so that the device is more difficult to operate and will require 
the development of skills in operation beyond that necessary to operate 
the device of FIGS. 2-7. A locking means 282 is shown to hold stationary 
this second bearing means so that this embodiment may be operated at the 
user's option in the same manner as the preferred embodiment described 
above. 
FIGS. 14 and 15 contain details of the angle adjusting columns 24 and 26 
not shown in previous figures. These details relate to an improved method 
of holding column members 24 and 26 together as a unit during use of the 
device. FIG. 14 shows the mating surfaces of members 24 and 26 each with 
dependent rings of teeth 242 and 262 respectively, such that when the 
members 24 and 26 come together the respective rings of teeth mesh 
perfectly and prevent any rotational displacement of the two members with 
respect to one another when locked in place by the clamping means. As 
alternatives to the toothed ring means shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 shows two 
additional means of insuring that the column members 24 and 26 do not move 
rotationally with respect to each other during use of the device. One 
means comprises cross hatching 25 in both mating surfaces of members 24 
and 26 by some suitable mechanical means, or if the parts are injection 
molded, by plastic cross hatchings molded into the mating surfaces of 
members 24 and 26. A second means comprises a friction layer means 27 
attached to each of the mating surfaces of members 24 and 26 shown 
generally in FIG. 15 as depending from and coextensive with its respective 
column member. In either the case of the cross hatching or the friction 
layer means, the two column members may be axially clamped together with a 
relatively light pressure and still assure that there is no rotational 
movement therebetween. 
In FIG. 14 there is additionally shown an axial locking means which is an 
alternative to the bolt 40 and wingnut 42 of FIG. 3. What is shown is a 
schematic representation of a releasable two part axial link 80 of well 
known type. When the two parts are released by manipulating a pull ring or 
a push knob with the thumb and fingers of a single hand, the two part 
axial link 80 may be separated, at least to the extent that the various 
friction or tooth ring means may be disengaged and the column members may 
thus be turned to effect the adjustment of the angle of the rotating 
platform before snapping together the two parts of axial link 80 to relock 
the column members together again. FIG. 17a and 17b show yet another 
alternative to the bolt and wingnut or the two part releasable axial clamp 
80. In all of the embodiments described above the device must be turned on 
its edge or upside down in order to effect adjustment of the angle 
adjusting means. In this embodiment a hollow two part axial means 100 
which is flanged on both ends and internally spring loaded holds the 
column members 24 and 26 immovably together when the axle 100 is 
compressed. A foot pedal 120 and a rod 110 serve to actuate a cam 170 and 
an expander link 150 to elongate the axle means 100 and thereby release 
the pressure of the flanges against the respective column members so that 
the user, while standing upon the foot pedal, may with the aid of the two 
handles on the upper column member lift it slightly and turn it to the 
desired angular position. Then by simply stepping off of the foot pedal, 
the user allows the column members to once again become fixed in relation 
to one another and locked in place by the spring tension action of the 
internal spring and the axle means. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
The invention described herein finds use as a recreational device wherein 
the motor skills of the user are tested and honed in the operation 
thereof. The apparatus may be used as a game type device or as a serious 
exercise and physical training device for athletes as well as for 
individuals with physical disabilities. The unique combination of the 
rotational movement coupled with and complemented by the angled or 
inclined orientation of the upper platform results in physical movements 
for the user not heretofore encountered. This is especially so in the 
embodiment with the multiple bearing means. 
In all embodiments of this invention, the elements of the angle adjusting 
means are held firmly in place during use, thus no disruptive or 
potentially dangerous lateral, vertical, or rotational displacement of the 
respective angle adjusting elements relative to one another can occur. The 
invention thereby provides heightened safety and enjoyment of the 
recreational use of the device. 
In compliance with statute, the invention has been described in language 
more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, 
however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, 
since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting 
the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of 
its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the 
appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine 
of equivalents.