Abstract:
A moving uplift apparatus is provided which enables the user to utilize the device as a piece of playground or backyard play equipment commonly known as a see-saw. The apparatus includes a frame structure, a user support mechanism, and a user engagement mechanism. The user support mechanism pivotally mounts to the frame structure, while the user engagement mechanism pivotally mounts to the user support mechanism. The user engagement mechanism may have engagement members for engaging said frame structure. The apparatus is different from the more conventional see-saw apparatuses in that the upward and downward pivoting motion of the user is produced by rocking the user engagement mechanism forward and backward, not by pushing against the ground with the feet of the user. The apparatus may be configured so that rocking the user engagement mechanism backward and forward may produces different seat movement, including rotation about the base of the frame structure. The apparatus may also take the form of a single user see-saw and/or exercise machine, with an optional weight support member for weighing down one side.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/051,920, filed Jan. 22, 2002, which itself is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/617,334, filed Jul. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,083, which issued May 17, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a moving uplift apparatus which has an upright structure that allows the user to uplift themselves while in a seated position. The pivoting motion of the user allows the device to be used as a piece of playground or backyard equipment, commonly known as a see-saw, or as a piece of exercise equipment. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of this invention to provide a moving uplift apparatus which may be used by a user to uplift themselves while in a seated position. The main purpose of this application is to demonstrate an apparatus which may perform the stated function, and to demonstrate the many options and configurations this apparatus may take on. 
     Briefly stated, the apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention comprises a frame structure means, a user support means, and a user engagement means. The user support means pivotally mounts on the frame structure means, while the user engagement means pivotally mounts upon the user support means. Optional items will include a weight support, which may be used when the device is configured as a single user see-saw or as an exercise product. 
     The design of the apparatus is such that the user support means pivots upward and downward upon the frame structure means, and the user engagement means pivots backward and forward upon the user support means. The user sits in a seat member and pivots the user engagement means. The user engagement means is operatively connected to the frame structure means in such a manner that pivoting the user engagement means in one direction causes the seat member to pivot upward, while piovoting the user engagement means in the opposite direction causes the seat member to pivot downward. The device may have two seat members which allows two people to use the device at the same time. The user engagement means may be designed in such a manner that the two users experience the same type of motion simultaneously, but in a opposite direction. Other objects, features, and advantages for this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, references being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts of the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a top view of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 1B is a front view of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 1C is a side view of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 2A is a top view of the frame structure means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 2B is a front view of the frame structure means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 2C is a side view of the frame structure means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 3A is a top view of the user support means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 3B is a front view of the user support means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of the user support means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 4A is a top view of the user engagement means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 4B is a front view of the user engagement means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIG. 4C is a side view of the user engagement means of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B, and  5 C are front views of one embodiment of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B, and  6 C are front views of a second embodiment of the moving uplift apparatus. 
     FIGS. 6D and 6E are front views of the moving uplift apparatus, demonstrating a one type of engagement member which may be part of the user engagement means. 
     FIGS. 6F and 6G are front views of the moving uplift apparatus, demonstrating a second type of engagement member which may be part of the user engagement means. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the moving uplift apparatus with the user support means utilizing a double lever assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the moving uplift apparatus when configured for a single user and also for an exercise machine. 
     FIG. 9A is a front view of the apparatus with an optional rotating wheel assembly for making motion of the apparatus smoother. 
     FIG. 9B is a side view of the apparatus with an optional rotating wheel assembly for making motion of the apparatus smoother. 
     FIG. 10A is a front view of the apparatus demonstrating the frame structure means with the capability of rotating the user in a circular pattern. 
     FIG. 10B is a front view of the apparatus with an optional platform member which may be utilized by the rotating wheel assembly for rotating the user support means in a circular pattern. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since it is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and not limitation. 
     As best can be seen by references to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A-1C, the moving uplift apparartus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  5 , and includes a frame structure means  10 , a user support means  20 , and a user engagement means  30 . The user support means  20  pivotally mounts upon frame structure means  10 , while the user engagement means  30  pivotally mounts upon user support means  20 . 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the frame structure means  10  comprises a base member  11 , at least one support member  12 , at least one curved member  13 , and frame openings  15 . The support member  12  is an upwardly extending structure, rigidly supported at its lower end by base member  11 . Main curved member  13  may rotatably mount to support member  11  through one of the frame openings  15  via a bolt, pin, or the like. It could also be rigidly mounted, but the rotatably mounting is preferred. 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 3A-3C, the user support means  20  comprises at least one main lever member  21 , seat members  22 , support openings  27 , and engagement openings  28 . Main lever member  21  is a generally horizontal structure having a seat member  22  rigidly mounted at opposite ends. The main lever member  21  pivotally mounts to the support member  12  of frame structure means  10  through support openings  27  of main lever member  21 , and frame opening  15  of support member  12 . As seen, in the one embodiment, the bolt or pin used to mount main curved member  13  to support member  12  is also used to pivotally mount main lever member  21  to support member  12 . In a second embodiment, which will be described later, there will be seperate bolts or pins for mounting main curved member  13  and main lever member  21 . 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 4A-4C, user engagement means  30  comprises at least two rocker members  31  pivotally mounted to main lever member  21  through engagement openings  28 . Each rocker member  31  is a generally upwardly extending structure and may have an upper engagement member  32  mounted at or near the top, and a lower engagement member  33  mounted at or near the bottom. Either the upper engagement member  32  or the lower engagement member  33  may be considered optional, since only one is needed for user engagement. The rocker members  31  mounted on oppsoite ends of main lever member  21 . The upper ends of each rocker member  31  are pivotally connected together using upper connection members  34 , while the lower ends of rocker members  31  are pivotally connected together using lower connection members  35 . Again, either upper connection member  34  or lower connection member  35  may be considered optional, since only one is needed for operation. The connection member, along with main lever member  21 , keep the rocker members  31  parallel to one another while the apparatus is in operation. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C demonstrate one embodiment of the apparatus while in operation. As may be seen in these figures, moving the upper engagement member  32  in the forward direction and/or the lower engagement member  33  in the backward direction will cause the corresponding seat member  22 , and thus the user, to pivot in the upward direction. Conversely, moving the upper engagement member  32  in the backward direction and/or the lower engagement member  33  in the forward direction will cause the corresponding seat member  22 , and thus the user, to pivot downward. Motion in the upper engagement member  32  will normally be produced by the upper body of the user, i.e. the arms and hands, while the motion in the lower engagement member  33  will normally be produced buy the lower body of the user, i.e. the legs and feet. The apparatus may also be designed to utilize other parts of the body for engagement. 
     The pivoting motion is produced when the upper connection member  34  engages main curved member  13 . As upper engagement member  34  is moved in one direction, the force exerted upward by curved member  13  on upper connection member  34  will cause the end of main lever member  21 , towards which the connection member moves, to pivot downward. In this configuration, lower connection member  35  is not necessarily required, but does assist somewhat in producing the motion, and also keeping rocker members  31  generally parallel to one another. The opposite may also be considered true. Lower connection member  35  may be used to cause the pivoting movement of main lever member  21 , while upper connection member  34  may be considered optional. In this embodiment, rocker members  31  will remain generally perpendicular to main lever member  21 . Even though some of the figures may demonstrate multiple connection members and multiple curved members, only one connection member and only one curved member is actually required for the apparatus to operate. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C demonstrate a second embodiment of the turning uplift apparatus. In this instance, curved member  13  has been moved to a lower position, so that lower connection member  35  engages the upper part of curved member  13 . This, in effect, causes an opposite motion from that previously shown and described. Moving the upper engagement  32  in the backward direction and/or the lower engagement member  33  in the forward direction, causes the corresponding seat member  21  to pivot upward. Conversely, moving the the upper engagement member  32  in the forward direction and/or lower engagement member  33  in the backward direction causes the corresponding seat member  21 , and thus the user, to move downward. 
     The pivoting motion is produced when the lower connection member  35  engages main curved member  13 . As lower connection member  35  is moved in one direction, the force exerted upward by main curved member  13  on lower connection member  35  will cause the end of main lever member  21 , towards which the connection member moves, to pivot downward. This motion is thus opposite from the other embodiment. In this instance, upper connection member  32  is optional. A secondary curved member  14  may be added to engage upper connection member  32 , with upper connection member  32  engaging the bottom part of secondary curved member  14 . 
     As with the previous embodiment, the opposite may hold true. Secondary curved member  14  may become the main curved member, with upper connection member  34  causing the pivoting movement of main lever member  21 , with the lower connection member  35  and curved member  13  being considered as the optional items. Again, even though some of the figures may demonstrate multiple connection members and curved members, only one connection member and one curved member is actually required for the apparatus to operate. 
     FIGS. 6D-6G demonstrate engagement members  37  and  38 , which may be part of or added to the connection member  35 . These engagement members are mainly used for assisting connection member  35  in its movement along main curve member  13 . Also shown is an additional curved member  16 , which is used to keep connection member  35  in close proximity to main curved member  13 . In most instances, it will keep either the connection member  35  or the engagement members  37  and  38  in contact with main curved member  32 . FIGS. 6D and 6E demonstrate one type of engagement members  37 , which are triangular-shaped objects rigidly attached to connection member  35  such that are on opposite sides of main curved member  13 . When the side of each respective engagement member  37  is pushed against main curved member  13 , it will produce upward movement in that part of connection member  35 . FIGS. 6F and 6G demonstrate a second type of engagement members  38 , which are also curved members, mounted on opposite sides of main curved member  13 . These curved members may be rigidly or rotatably mounted to connection member  35 . Similarly, when one of engagement members  38  is pushed against main curved member  13 , it will produce upward movement in that part of connection member  35 . The engagment members  37  and  38  may be mounted in various ways to either or both connection members  34  and  35 , and engage respective curved members  13  and  14  when both are utilized, to produce the previously described movements in the apparatus. The configuration described above is intended as demonstration, since many variations are possible. 
     As may be seen in FIG. 7, a secondary lever member  26  may be used in conjunction with main lever member  21  of user support means  20 . This secondary lever member  26  is also pivotally mounted to support member  12  of frame structure means  10 . The seat member  22  may be pivotally mounted to both main lever member  21  and secondary lever member  26 , so that the seat maintain a generally horizontal position during operation of the apparatus. This well-known double lever feature may be incorporated into either embodiment of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 8 demonstrates the apparatus while being used as a single user see-saw device, and/or as an exercise machine. As seen, there is only one seat member  22 , one upper engagement member  32 , and one lower engagement  33 . However, a second rocker member  31  is needed. An optional item is a weight support member  23 , which may be used to support weight members  24 . Weights may be used not only when the apparatus is configured as an exercise machine, but also when it is configured as a single user see-saw, to make operation easier. Again, these features may be incorporated into either embodiment of the apparatus. 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a rotatable member  40  may be mounted at its proximate center on the support member  12  of frame structure means  10 . A first rotatable pin  41  may be mounted at some point along rotatable member  40 , while a second rotatable pin  42  may be mounted on lever member  21  of user support means  20 . A linkage member  43  may then be pivotally mounted on one end to rotatable pin  41 , and pivotally mounted on its other end to rotatable pin  42 . The linkage member  43  thus connects lever member  21  and rotatable member  40  through universal-type joint connections. These type of connections will compensate for the different relative positions of the lever member  21  and rotatable member  40 . Preferrably, rotatable member  40  is a flywheel, with it being utilized to make motion of the apparatus smoother. 
     FIG. 10 demonstrates a modification to the base member  11  and support member  12  of the frame structure means  10 . In this instance, support member  12  may be constructed so that its bottom rotates within base member  11 , thus allowing support member  12  to rotate around base member  11 . With rotatable member  40  being a flywheel, the momentum of the flywheel will cause support member  12  to rotate around base  11  as lever member  21  moves upward and downward. 
     As may be seen further in FIG. 11, a platform member  44  may also be part of the base, with rotatable member  40  being in rolling contact with platform member  44 . Thus as rotatable member  40  rotates while in contact with platform member  44 , the support member  12  will again rotate about base member  11 , but at a much faster rate. In this instance, rotatable member  40  does not have to necessarily need to be a flywheel, but again, a flywheel will make motion of the apparatus smoother. 
     Many variations of the moving uplift apparatus exist, along with the configurations described above. While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects stated above, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.