TILTING ROTATIONAL RECREATIONAL DEVICE

Abstract: The recreational device consists of a base (22) placed upon a support surface (20). The base supports a lower skew cut column (24) cooperating with an upper skew cut column (26) to adjust the angle between the support surface and columns. A bearing plate (38) is mounted on the columns. A platform (30) is mounted on the bearing plate for rotation. The skew cut columns are locked in a selected angle preventing any displacement.

Description: 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. 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 balance 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 include 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. U.S. -A- 4,429,869 to Eckstein describes a skier's exercise device with a base member, a rotatable platform on a bearing means, and a means to angle the platform. DE-A-I-428843 to Schafer describes an exercise device with a base member, a rotable platform on a bearing means, and a means to angle the platform. 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. According to the invention there is provided a tilting rotational device as defined below in Claim 1 of the attached Claims. Preferred features are set out in the subsidiary Claims. 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. 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 the wedge-shaped elements of the base member so that the mount of the bearing is angles with respect to, but still in a weight supporting relationship with the floor engaging lower surface of the base member. With the bearing and the platform mounted theron 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 wether 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. The invention may be carried into practice in various ways and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention in use. Fig. 2 is a larger perspective view of one embodiment of this invention. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 with the base positioned in the horizontal platform mode. Fig .6 and 7 are views like Fig. 5 with the base elements rotated to various angular positions so that the platform is angled. Fig. 8 is yet another embodiment. Fig. 9 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 8 with the base elements rotated into the horizontal platform mode. Fig. 10 is another side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 with the base elements rotated into the maximum incline mode. Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention which view is similarly derived as in Fig. 4, with the addition of a second weight supporting bearing means. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the angle adjusting means of another embodiment of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective detail view of an alternate embodiment of the angle adjusting means of Figs. 12 and 2. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective detail view of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 15 is a cross sectional detail view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 14. 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 bearing 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 30.5 cm. (12 inches) in diameter and 7.6 cm. (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 drawing. 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. Another embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. 8-10, uses pairs of inclined wedges which cooperate rotatively to set the angle of inclination of platform 70. In fig. 8 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. 9 with the platform 70 in a substantially horizontal attitude to a maximum inclination of that shown in Fig.10. 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. 11. 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. 12 and 13 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. 12 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 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. 12, Fig. 13 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 hatching 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. 13 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. 12 there is additionally shown an axially locking means which is an alternative to the bolt 40 and wingnut 42 of Fig. 3. What is shown is a shematic 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 seperated, 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. 14 and 15 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 placeby the spring tension action of the internal spring and the axle means. 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.

Claims: 1. A tilting rotational recreational device having a rotatable platform member (30) which, in use, supports a person using the device; a base member comprising a base plate (22) which, in use, is placed upon a support surface (20), at least one weight supporting bearing means (28) being mounted therein on which the platform member (30) is rotatably supported so as to be capable of freely rotating relative to the base member, upon the bearing means (28); means for adjustably establishing an angular displacement between the plane of the base plate (22) and the plane of rotation of the platform member (30); and means (40, 42; 80) for fixing the angular displacement; characterised in that the means for adjustably establishing the angular displacement comprise a plurality of wedge shaped elements vertically interengaged to permit rotation of the elements relative to one another about an axis common to the elements, whereby the angular displacement may be adjustably set; and in that the bearing means (28) is mounted upon the wedge shaped elements; and in that the means for fixing the angular displacement comprises a fastener (40, 42; 80) by means of which the wedge-shaped elements may be releasably held against each other in a selected angular alignment such that the elements are prevented from lateral, vertical and rotational displacement relative to one another when so releasably held. 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the wedge shaped elements are rotatably interengaged upper and lower skew cut column members (24, 26) each of the members having upper and lower surfaces in nonparallel planes and in that the bearing means (28) is mounted upon the upper surface of the upper column member, whereby rotation of the upper column member (26) with respect to the lower column member (24) adjustably sets the angular displacement. 3. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the wedge shaped elements comprise inclined upper and lower paired wedge members, an annular support member (78) and a disc shaped member (80) the upper pair of wedge member (73, 74) being mounted on top of the disc shaped support member (80) and being rotatable as a unit with respect to the lower pair of wedge members (71, 72) the upper surfaces of which are mounted on the lower surface of the annular support member (78) that is, in turn, adapted to receive and support the disc shaped support member (80) rotatably interengaged within the annular support member, and in that the bearing means (76) is mounted on the upper surfaces of the upper pair of wedge members, whereby the angular displacement may be adjustably set by rotating the pairs of wedge members and their respective support members relative to one other. 4. A device as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that it includes grasping means smounted upon the upper column member to facilitate rotation of the upper column member with respect to the lower column member. 5. A device as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the fastener (40, 42; 80) interconnects the upper and lower column members along the axis of rotation of the column members, wherein the axially positioned fastener (40, 42) is engaged in a coaxial bore of diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the fastener, whereby the upper and lower column members (26, 24) may rotate freely relative to each other without the fastener interfering with the walls of the bore. 6. A device as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that the weight supporting bearing means (28) are mounted upon the plurality of wedge shaped elements (24, 26) and a lower weight supporting bearing means (281) is mounted below the plurality of wedge shaped elements (24, 26). 7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 characterised by a means (282) to releasably lock the lower weight bearing means (281) from any rotation therein. 8. A device as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the respective mating surfaces of the upper and lower column members (26, 24) have respectively axially depending and projecting multi-denticulated rings (262, 242) at the circumference of each of the mating surfaces, wherein the respective rings mesh and inter-engage with each other to releasably prevent relative rotation between the upper and lower column members when the fastener (40, 42; 80) is engaged to hold the column members to each other. 9. A device as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that a) the fastener comprises a two part spring loaded separate fastener (80) which can be separated by the manipulation of the fingers and thumb of one hand and which contains suitable flanges at both ends of the fastener such that, when the fastener is fastened together, the column member surfaces are held substantially in a mated interengaged relationship; and b) the user operated portion of the fastener means is located in a counter sunk portion of the bottom surface of the base member, such that the recreational user can release the clamp with one hand while holding the device in the other hand and thereby reposition the interengaging denticulated rings (242, 262) before reconnecting the fastener. 10. A device as claimed in Claim 5 characterised by friction enhancing means (25, 27) upon each of the mating surfaces of the upper and lower column members whereby, when clamped by the fastener, the column members are frictionally held together as a unit. 11. A device as claimed in Claim 10 characterised in that the friction enhancing means further comprises a layer of frictional surface material (27) which is adhesively bonded to the respective surfaces of the column members. 12. A device as claimed in Claim 10 characterised in that the friction enhancing means further comprises mechanically etched or cast-in cross hatching (25) upon the mating surfaces of the upper and lower column members, such that said cross hatching creates such irregularities on the mating surfaces that one surface thereby has a grip upon the other surface when suitably clamped by the fastener. 13. A device as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the fastener and an actuating mechanism therefor comprises: a foot pedal (120) actuated rod (110) which rotates in a bore (130) placed radially in the lower column member (24) and which terminates in a cam member (170); a two piece hollow closed cylindrical axle member (100) where each end of the closed cylindrical axle member contains substantial flanges radially projecting from their respective end surfaces and where each of the two pieces of the axle member (100) is slidably engaged one within the other so that the length of the axle member is variable depending upon the position of one of the pieces with respect to the other of the pieces; within the axle member, an off center upwardly protruding tab (140) fastener or integrally attached to the bottom inner surface of the axle member in which is a pivotal bore in which the rod (110) is free to rotate and turn the cam member; also within the axle member, a suitable tension means (160) such that the normal tendency of the flanges of the axle member is to draw together and thus clamp the column members together; and also within the axle member, an expander link (150) connected to an upper lobe of the cam (170) and to the upper end surface of the axle member; whereby the user, while standing on the pedal, may then rotate the upper column relative to the lower column member by the grasping means without having to invert the tilting rotational recreational device.

Inventors: HARTZ, BILLY J.
Applicants: HARTZ, BILLY J.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A63B23
IPC codes: A63B23, A63B69, A63B22