A SPRING STRUCTURE INTENDED SPECIFICALLY FOR PLAY OR EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract: A spring structure, which is intended specifically for play or conditioning exercise apparatus, comprises on the one hand a helical spring (1) made from flat steel or similar material, the spring having about 1.5-2 turns, and on the other hand a brace (2) fastened to the inner end (1a) of the spring, the brace U-shaped in the middle in such a way that its arms extend to both sides of the helical spring (1), leaving the spring free, and is in other respects shaped in such a way that the structure can be fastened by the brace to a base such as the floor or the ceiling. To the free end (1b) of the spring it is possible alternatively to fasten different apparatus, for example, a rocking horse (4), a seesaw, an exercise bar, etc.

Description: A spring structure intended specifically for play or exercise apparatus The present invention relates to a spring structure intend specifically for play or exercise apparatus. It is well known, even usual, to use various springs in pl apparatus, for example in order to produce rocking movemen Also in exercise apparatus, springs of different resilienc are used for conditioning exercises. However, it can be noted as a general feature that different spring structure have been created for each different apparatus, in which c owing to the small production series, the structures are usually rather expensive. The object- of the present invention is therefore to provid a spring structure which, on the one hand, is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and, on the other hand, can be used for numerous applications, both for play apparatus and for exercise apparatus and park benches. In order to provide such a versatile spring structure the invention is characterized in that which is presented in the accompanyi independent claim. Certain preferred embodiments are defin in the unindependent claims. The invention is described below in greater detail in the form of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which each diagram depicts a perspective view one application of the spring structure. Referring now to the diagrams, the essential part of the spring structure consists of a helical spring 1 made from flat steel; it may have a somewhat oval overall shape, as shown in the figures. The thickness and the width.of the s are, of course, according to the intended use. The spring may comprise, for example, about 1.5 turns or 2 turns made in such a way that the ends of the spring are along approximately parallel planes. At the inner end la of the spring 1 there is attached a brace 2 which is U-shaped in the middle and which may also be of similar flat steel. The brace 2 is somewhat wider th the width of the spring 1, so that its arms extend freely to both sides of the spring 1. Likewise, the U-shaped part of the brace 2 is deeper than the radial dimension of the spring, so that the brace can support the spring freely. The ends of the brace are bent outwards, prererably along same plane, in which case the brace can be easily and sturdily secured to a base, for example by means of bolts. The figures show different practical applications of the spring structure. Figure 1 shows a sketch of a rocking hor 4, the lower part of which is fastened to the outer end lb of the spring 1. Sturdiness is increased by the lower par of the horse having a shape corresponding to that of the end lb of the spring. -The ends of the brace 2 are fastene to two runners 3, which can be further fastened to the flo if necessary. Figure 2 depicts an exercise bar 5, which is fastened to the free end of the spring 1. The brace 2 is preferably fastened to the ceiling by means of bolts. It is clear th this structure can also be fastened to the floor, for example, for pulling exercises. Figure 3 shows a seesaw 6, which is fastened to the end l of the spring 1. The brace 2 is fastened to a base, for example the floor or the ground. It is clear that numerous further applications are possibl within the scope of the invention. In fact, providing such possibilities is specifically one object of the invention, as was mentioned above.

Claims: Claims 1. A spring structure intended specifically " for play and exercise apparatus, comprising a spring (1) made of flat steel or similar material, one (lb) of its ends having bee designed for fastening to it a springed apparatus (4; 5; on top of which the user places himself or which the user grips, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the spring is a helical spring (1) to the outer end of which the springe apparatus (4, 5, 6) is fastened, and that the spring structure additionally includes a brace 2 which is U-shape in its middle and is also made of flat steel or similar material, the stem of the brace being fastened to the inne end (la) of the helical spring (1) and its both arms being the lateral direction outside the edges of the spring, the arms being so long that they extend beyond the outermost turn of the helical spring (1) , and the ends of the arms having been bent along the same plane in order to be fastened to a base such as runners (3) , the floor, or the ceiling. 2. A spring structure according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the flat spring (1) comprises about 1.5 turns and that its two ends (la, lb) are substantially parallel. 3. A spring structure according to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the ends of the flat spring (1) are substantially horizontal and the fastening base is horizontal, in which case the ends of the arms of the brace are preferably bent outwards into a horizontal position. 4. A spring structure according to any of the above clai c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the apparatus fasten to it is a toy animal (4) to be sat on, a seesaw (6) or a bar to be gripped by hand.

Inventors: IKAEHEIMO ANTERO, IKAEHEIMO, ANTERO
Applicants: POHJOISKALOTTI AB OY, OY POHJOISKALOTTI AB
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A63G11
IPC codes: A63B1, A63G11, A63G13