Jump rope device

The jump rope device is constructed with a pair of stations disposed in mirror-image facing relation and a pair of ropes which are connected between rotating arms of each station. Each station employs a stepper motor to rotate the radially disposed arms as well as a transmission for rotating the arms in an out-of-phase relation to create a double dutch effect. The end of each rope is secured to a cord which is wound about a rotatable drum within each radial arm so that the length of exposed rope may be adjusted to a user. Should a user step on a rope, the resulting tension in the rope and cord effects an unwinding of the cord from the drum thereby allowing the rope to break away from the arm of the station.

This invention relates to a jump rope device. More particularly, this 
invention relates to a jump rope device employing a pair of jump ropes to 
create a double dutch effect. 
Heretofore, various types of devices have been provided for turning jump 
ropes. In some instances, the devices have been constructed to swing a 
pair of jump ropes in an out-of-phase manner to create a double dutch 
effect. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,195, such a device employs a 
driving station having driving means and a pair of radial arms to which 
the ends of a pair of ropes are secured for swinging in opposite 
directions as well as a driven station having a pair of rotatable arms to 
receive the opposite ends of the ropes. As described, the driving station 
and the driven station are connected only by the ropes. 
Still other machines have been known for swinging a pair of ropes wherein 
synchronized drive means have been provided for turning the ropes in an 
out-of-phase relation. However, such devices have been relatively 
cumbersome and have been difficult to adjust should the ropes become 
unsynchronized. 
In cases where a driving station drives a driven station through the ropes, 
there can be a time lag between the two stations so that the 
synchronization of the two stations is impaired. In addition, drag forces 
can be introduced into the driven station so that the ropes may become 
unsynchronized during use. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a relatively 
simple jump rope device for turning a pair of ropes in an out-of-phase 
relation in a simple synchronized manner. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a jump rope device for 
creating a double dutch effect with little risk of the ropes becoming 
unsynchronized. 
It is another object of the invention to be able to stop a jump rope device 
should a rope become stepped on by a user or otherwise engaged. 
Briefly, the invention provides a jump rope device which comprises a pair 
of stations disposed in mirror-image facing relation to each other and a 
pair of ropes. 
In accordance with the invention, each station has a pair of parallel 
rotatable shafts, a transmission connecting the shafts together to rotate 
in opposite directions, a stepper motor operatively connected to one of 
the shafts to rotate the shaft and a pair of arms, each of which is 
connected to and extends radially from a respective shaft to rotate 
therewith. The stepper motor of each station is synchronized to the 
stepper motor of the opposite station so that the oppositely-facing 
radially directed arms rotate in synchronism with each other at all times. 
Each rope is secured at the opposite ends to opposed arms of the two 
stations in order to rotate with the arms whereby rotation of the ropes in 
an out-of-phase relation creates a double dutch effect for a jumper. 
The transmission of each station includes a pair of pulley wheels, each of 
which is mounted on a respective shaft, and a belt disposed over and 
across the pulley wheels in criss-crossing relation. In addition, the 
stepper motor utilizes a belt and pulley arrangement for driving one of 
the shafts so that this shaft acts as a master while the other shaft 
functions as a slave. 
Each arm of each station has a tubular portion receiving an end of a 
respective rope in axially slidable relation. In addition, a rotatable 
drum is disposed transversely of at least one of the arms and a cord is 
secured to and between one end of a respective rope and the drum. A crank 
arm located to the outside of the arm is also connected to the drum so 
that the end of the rope can be adjustably movable within the arm in 
response to winding of the cord on the drum. In this way, the length of 
each rope may be adjusted to the height of an individual jumper. 
A release means is also provided for releasably locking the crank arm in a 
fixed non-rotatable position and for releasing the crank arm to allow the 
drum to rotate in response to a predetermined tension in the cord 
corresponding to a pulling force on one end of the rope secured to the 
cord. Thus, during normal operation, the release means serves to lock the 
crank arm and drum and thereby the end of the rope in the tubular portion 
of a rotating arm. In the event that a jumper steps on a rope, the rope, 
in turn, pulls on the cord. Once the tension in the pulled cord exceeds a 
predetermined limit, the crank arm is released and the drum allowed to 
rotate so that the cord allows the rope to extend away from the arm. In an 
extreme case, the cord may unwind from the drum so that the rope becomes 
completely disengaged from the drum thereby breaking the connection 
between the rope and each respective station. 
The release means may include a magnet which is mounted on an arm while the 
crank arm is magnetically attracted to the magnet. Thus, in a 
non-rotatable position of the drum, the crank arm is aligned with the 
magnet and remains in place. Should the cord become tensioned, the crank 
arm moves away from the magnet into the released condition. 
The jump rope device may be provided with a suitable signal means for 
indicating a position of at least one of the arms at a predetermined 
position of rotation. Depending upon the position of the signal means, the 
jumper may use the signal to enter between the rotating ropes to effect a 
double dutch jump or may use the signal means as a signal to begin 
approaching the device. In one embodiment, the signal means includes a 
metal strip which is mounted on one of the shafts, a circuit having a 
normally open switch in the path of rotation of the metal strip and an 
indicator light, such as an LED, whereby the light is energized in 
response to the metal strip closing the switch at the position 
corresponding to the predetermined position of rotation. 
Each station of the jump rope device is mounted on a plurality of support 
wheels which rollably support the stations in order to permit movement of 
one station relative to another. Thus, depending upon the height of a 
jumper, the stations may be brought closer together or moved farther 
apart. Also, when not in use, the stations may be brought together and 
moved to a position of storage.

Referring to FIG. 1, the jump rope device 10 employs a pair of stations 11, 
12 disposed in mirror-image facing relation to each other as well as a 
pair of ropes 13 which are connected between the stations 11, 12. Since 
each station 11, 12 is constructed in an identical fashion so that a 
description of one station is sufficient for both. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the right-hand station 12 has a box-shaped 
housing 14 which is mounted on a skeletal frame 15, for example composed 
of tubular members. As indicated, suitable clips or clamps 16 are provided 
to secure the housing 14 to the skeletal frame 15. In addition, the frame 
15 is provided with casters or wheels 17 at four points so as to permit 
the station 12 to be rolled from place to place. 
The housing 14 includes a pair of parallel rotatable shafts 18 each of 
which is mounted in a pair of brackets 19 secured to a floor of the 
housing 14. In this respect, each bracket 19 includes a suitable bearing 
to permit easy rotation of the respective shafts 18. A transmission 20 is 
also provided to connect the shafts 18 together to rotate in opposite 
directions. This transmission 20 includes a pulley wheel 21 secured to 
each shaft 18 and a belt 22 which is disposed over and across the pulley 
wheels 21 in criss-crossing relation. As indicated in FIG. 2, the two runs 
of the belt 22 come into contact at a crossing point and, to this end, are 
made of a suitable non-abrasive material to avoid excessive wear. 
Alternatively, the transmission may be a geared transmission using gears 
(not shown) to transfer the drive forces. 
A stepper motor 23, such as a superior electric MO62-LE09, is mounted on a 
suitable bracket 24 within the housing 14 and is operatively connected via 
a transmission 25 to one of the shafts 18 to rotate the shaft 18, for 
example in a clockwise manner. As indicated, the transmission 25 includes 
a pulley wheel 26 mounted on a drive shaft 27 of the motor 23, a pulley 
wheel 28 mounted on the shaft 18 and a belt 29 disposed over and between 
the pulley wheels 27, 28. 
Upon actuation of the motor 23, one shaft 18 is driven in a clockwise 
manner while the second shaft 18 is driven via the transmission 20 in a 
counter-clockwise manner. Alternatively, the rotation of the shafts may be 
effected in opposite directions depending upon the direction of the drive 
shaft 27 of the motor 23. 
As illustrated, each shaft 18 passes through a suitable opening 30 in the 
housing 14 and carries a radially directed arm 31 at the free end. Each 
arm 31 is connected to and extends radially from a respective shaft 18 to 
rotate therewith. As indicated in FIG. 1, each respective rope 13 is 
secured at the opposite ends to opposed arms 31 of the stations 11, 12 to 
rotate therewith whereby rotation of the ropes 13 in an out-of-phase 
relation creates a double dutch effect for a jumper. 
Referring to FIG. 4, each arm 31 has a tubular portion 32 receiving an end 
of a rope 13 in axially slidable relation. As indicated, the end of the 
rope 13 may be provided with a cap 33, a molded cover, a handle or any 
other suitable means fixed to the rope 13. A drum 34 is disposed 
transversely of the arm 31 while a cord 35 is secured to and between the 
end of the rope 13 and the drum 34 whereby the end of the rope 13 can be 
adjustably moved within the arm 31 in response to winding of the cord 35 
on the drum 34. As shown, the drum 34 is connected to a crank arm 36 
located to the outside of the arm 31 for manually winding of the drum 34. 
A release means 37 is also provided for releasably locking the drum 34 in a 
fixed non-rotatable position and for releasing the drum 34 to rotate in 
response to a predetermined tension in the cord 35 corresponding to a 
pulling force on the end of the rope 13. In this embodiment, the release 
means 37 is in the form of a magnet while the crank arm 36 is made of a 
material to be magnetically attracted to the magnet 37. The magnetic force 
generated by the magnet 37 is sufficient to hold the crank arm 36 from 
turning up to a limit of predetermined tension in the cord 35. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the jump rope device 10 is also provided with a 
signal means for indicating a position of one of the arms 31 at a 
predetermined position of rotation. This signal means includes a metal 
strip 38 which is mounted on one of the shafts 18 to rotate therewith, a 
circuit having a normally open switch 39 in the path of rotation of the 
metal strip 3 8 and an indicator light 40 (see FIG. 3) mounted on a cover 
41 which is hingedly secured to the top of the housing 14 (not shown) by a 
pair of hinges 42. The arrangement is such that the light 40 is energized 
in response to the metal strip 38 closing the switch 39 at a position 
corresponding to the predetermined position of rotation of the arm 31 
secured to the shaft 18. 
Referring to FIG. 1, as described above, the two stations 11, 12 are 
exactly alike except that one station would contain all the circuitry for 
operating the device 10 and the indicator light 40 (not shown) that would 
signal a jumper when to jump. The arms 31 of each station are disposed to 
rotate 180.degree. out-of-phase with respect to each other to simulate a 
perfect human motion. The ropes 13 which rotate with the opposed arms 31 
create a double dutch effect. For example, one rope 13 forms a sine wave 
while the other rope 13 forms a negative sine wave during operation. 
Referring to FIG.6, in order to synchronize operation of the two stepper 
motors 23, use is made of a Superior Slo-Syn.RTM. BiPolar Model SD200 Step 
Motor Drive Module 43 to drive each motor 23 with each Drive Module 43 
being supplied with power from a battery44. Each Module 43 has pins, as is 
known, with one pin each being conncted by a common wire 45 to each other 
to effect synchronization. A wire 46 connecting one Module 43 to the 
remote station 14 can be held out of interferring with the jump ropes 13 
by being taped or otherwise secured along the ground away from the user. 
The jump rope device is programmed, for example so that when a radial arm 
31 reaches approximately 45.degree. to the horizontal, the metal strip 38 
mounted on the associated shaft 18 contacts the normally open switch 39 
which will then close the circuit to light the indicator light 40 (for 
example a light emitting diode). The light 40 will be energized and 
illuminate each time the radial arm 31 reaches the 45.degree. position so 
that a person may enter the rope from the location marked X in FIG. 1. Of 
note, this position may be marked by suitable indicia (not shown) on the 
face of the housing 14. For jumpers that feel comfortable entering the 
ropes from the opposite side, for example from the position marked Y, 
entry may be made after the indicator light 14 has been illuminated for a 
short time period. This will require the jumper to develop some delayed 
action time for entering the ropes at either end. 
Once a jumping exercise has been initiated, should a jumper step on a rope, 
the release means incorporated in each radial arm 31 of the device effects 
a breakaway effect. During regular operation, the ropes 13 will remain 
secured within the ends of the arms 31 while, at the same time, being 
allowed to swivel around within the radial arms 31. Once the force of a 
jumper's foot adds the minimum required tension to a cord 35, that is to 
say, a force stronger than the force of the magnet 37 (see FIG. 4), the 
drum 34 will permit the cord 35 to unwind thereby releasing the cord 35, 
thus allowing the rope 13 to fall to the ground. The user will then have 
to rewind the cord 35 on the drum 34 using the crank arm 36 until a 
designated mark (not shown) on the rope 13 comes into alignment with the 
free end of the radial arm 31. This characteristic may also be used to 
adjust the length of the rope 13 for persons of different heights. 
The jump rope device may be controlled in a remote manner. In this respect, 
a suitable remote control may be provided which is constructed to start 
up, shut down and adjust the speed of the jump rope device. 
The jump rope device may be readily used by a jumper. In this respect, a 
jumper may enter the ropes from the side that the jumper feels the most 
comfortable for entering purposes. Once within the ropes, the jumper would 
alternate the lifting of each leg in a running-like motion in order to 
allow each rope to pass under his/her feet. The jumper may also hold onto 
a hand remote control during jumping in order to adjust the speed as 
desired. When ready to end a jumping session, the jumper need only press 
the appropriate key on the remote control to stop the device from turning 
the ropes 13 or manually interrupt the rotation of the ropes. 
The jump rope device may also be activated by using a push button start up, 
particularly for jumpers who have manual deficiencies and do not wish to 
use a remote control feature. In some cases, a second person may be 
required as a controller in order to control the speed of the device. 
Further, a foot pad controller may be incorporated so that a manually 
challenged individual may have sole control of the device. 
The housing 14 of jump rope device 10 may be separately mounted on the 
frame 15 for example so that the frame 15 can be fixed in place such as in 
a playground and the housing 14 removed when not in use and placed in 
storage for future use. Any suitable arrangement or means may be used to 
secure the housing 14 to the frame 15 in a releasably lockable manner. 
The invention thus provides a jump rope device which is of relatively 
simple construction and which can be readily used. The jump rope device 
may be used as a warm-up device for professional teams, a cardio-vascular 
workout machine for fitness users, and for use in recreational centers, 
parks, jump rope camps and the like. The device may also be equipped for 
both DC and AC capabilities so as to be used outdoors and/or indoors.