Patent Abstract:
A jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether operatively connected at a first end thereof to the high rebound platform, and a handle located on the tether. A method of jumping, including providing a jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether operatively connected at a first end thereof to the high rebound platform, and a handle on the tether, mounting the jumping device by placing a user&#39;s foot on the high rebound platform, grabbing the handle, pulling the handle away from the high rebound platform, and jumping so that the high rebound platform alternates between compressed and uncompressed states.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of allowed U.S. application Ser. No. 09/002,550 to Lapointe, filed Jan. 2, 1998, for which the issue fee has been paid, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,578 entitled JUMPING DEVICE HAVING A FLEXIBLE TETHER AND METHOD OF USING THE JUMPING DEVICE, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of The Invention 
     This invention is in the field of jumping devices for the purposes of amusement and exercise. More specifically, this invention relates to a jumping device of the type including interaction with a user&#39;s hands and feet and having a high rebound platform and a flexible tether that can be grasped by a user. By such a device, a user can bounce indefinitely on the high rebound platform while maintaining the platform against the user&#39;s feet by way of the flexible tether. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Jumping devices for amusement and exercise are well known. Perhaps the most common jumping device is the pogo stick. Conventional pogo sticks typically have a telescoping design that includes a tubular frame from which a spring-actuated plunger member extends downward and terminates in a tip that contacts the ground during use of the pogo stick. Transverse footrests are formed near the lower end of the frame to allow a user of the pogo stick to mount the pogo stick and compress a spring of the plunger by applying a downward force. A typical pogo stick is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,443, issued to H. H. Hohberger. 
     Conventional pogo sticks have several limitations. Conventional pogo sticks require several moving parts that increase manufacturing costs and reduce durability. Also, the use of a spring that is compressed by the telescoping action of the frame and the plunger member requires that the frame and the plunger member be rigid enough to transmit compressive force to the spring. The use of typical rigid materials (e.g., a rigid metal such as steel) increases the risk of injury to the user of the pogo stick if the user should fall and be struck with the pogo stick. In addition, the rigid materials cause conventional pogo sticks to generate significant noise during operation which makes conventional pogo sticks less amenable to quiet indoor use. 
     Moreover, conventional pogo sticks are typically designed with plunger member tips and footrests that have small surface areas relative to the surface area of the user&#39;s feet. This makes conventional pogo sticks unstable during mounting and operation of the pogo stick and requires that users have a fairly high degree of balancing skills in order to operate the pogo stick. Furthermore, the unstable nature of conventional pogo sticks limits the range of maneuvers that can be performed on conventional pogo sticks and makes conventional pogo sticks difficult to abandon during a fall. 
     Other less complicated devices have been developed having other spring means instead of such noisy mechanical springs. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,314, issued to Brown, a pogo stick is described utilizing an inflatable ball having a platform surface and mounted to a stick handle. Although such a device eliminates some disadvantages, it is still relatively unstable, requires a fairly high degree of balance to operate, and has limited maneuverability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved jumping device that has minimal moving and rigid parts and a wide, stable jumping platform that provides more balancing time before jumping and allows a user to safely and quietly perform a range of jumping maneuvers. Also, folding the flexible tether facilitates convenient storage of the jumping device. 
     In one aspect, the present invention relates to a jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether attached to the platform, and a handle located on the tether. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of jumping, including the step of providing a jumping device having a high rebound platform, a flexible tether attached at a first end to the platform, and a handle on the tether, the step of mounting the jumping device by placing a user&#39;s foot (or both feet) on the platform, grabbing the handle, then pulling the handle away from the platform, and jumping so that the platform alternates between compressed and uncompressed states. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jumping device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a platform and a lower portion of a tether of the jumping device shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the platform and a lower portion of the tether of the jumping device shown in FIG. 1 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the platform and a lower portion of the tether of the jumping device shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the platform removed so as to show a rod for fastening the tether to the platform. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handle and an upper portion of the tether of the jumping device shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative high rebound platform formed as a bladder structure. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a jumping device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-5 show a jumping device  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Device  10  includes a high rebound platform  12 , a tether  14  attached to the platform  12 , and a handle  16  provided at an end of the tether  14 . 
     High rebound platform  12  is formed so that platform  12  can be made to alternate between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. Generally, when a body elastically compresses due to the application of compressive forces, potential energy is stored in the deformed body. The transition of the body from a compressed state to an uncompressed state results in the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy. A high rebound platform  12  in accordance with the present invention is a structure that can be made to elastically compress between a user&#39;s feet (which contact a foot support surface  18  located on the top of platform  12 ) and the ground or other rigid surface (which contacts an impact surface  20  located on the bottom of platform  12 ) by having at least a portion of the foot support surface  18  and at least a portion of impact surface  20  move closer to one another so that kinetic energy provided during the transition of the structure from a compressed state to an uncompressed state is sufficient to create a rebound force that assists the user in jumping. A high rebound platform  12  can be characterized by the basic ability to support a user to permit jumping without bottoming out and to provide some amount of energy to assist the user in jumping. It is envisioned that jumping device  10  can be designed to operate for a particular range of user weights. Therefore, high rebound platform  12  may be adapted to elastically compress and provide rebound force for the particular range of user weights for which the device  10  is designed. It is also envisioned that a product feature, shape of a component, color code, or other labeling scheme could be used to convey easily the range of user weights appropriate for a particular jumping device  10 . 
     High rebound platform  12  is preferably formed from any one of a number of conventional solid, closed cell, or open cell materials that are commonly used to absorb impact or provide rebound. More specifically, platform  12  can be formed from rubbers including but not limited to natural foam rubber, natural butyl rubber (NBR), natural rubber (NR), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and plastics including but not limited to polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). Generally, for a given high rebound material having a given contact surface area, the thicker (measured from foot support surface  18  to impact surface  20  of platform  12 ) platform  12  is, the greater the range of user weights over which the platform  12  will elastically compress and provide a rebound force. It is also understood that with different high rebound materials and different contact surface areas various weight ranges can accommodated. 
     FIGS. 1-4 show platform  12  formed from a plurality of layers  30 , wherein the layers are attached to one another using conventional adhesives. Other conventional lamination techniques can be used instead. Preferred high rebound materials includes but are not limited to Zoatfoam EV-50 EVA foam from Zoatfoam Inc. of Hacketstown, N. J.; foam model MC3800S with EVA from Sentinal Co.; foam model 5A with EVA from Voltek; and foam product commercially available under the tradename Metalocene from E. I. Dupont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del. As shown, each layer is preferably shaped so that when stacked, the layers  30  form a complete, shaped platform  12 . The layers  30  can be shaped by use of conventional die-cut techniques, for example. The layers  30  may be shaped for functional or aesthetic reasons, and each layer may be the same or different as the others. The top and bottom layers, in particular, may also be shaped in the thickness direction so as to provide any desired surface features. For example, the foot support surface  18  or the impact surface  20  may be rounded, or may be patterned to enhance gripping of the surface(s) with a user&#39;s foot (or feet) or the floor. Such a pattern may be for anti-slip properties, or to permit use on wet surfaces or other materials (e.g., grass lawns, concrete, etc.) that my otherwise affect the material (e.g., by abrasion or puncture). Moreover, each of the layers  30  may be made of the same or different material. For example, the bottom layer may be of a tougher material to enhance its durability for particular surfaces like concrete. For use in homes, a softer (non-scratch) material may be desirable. Along these same lines, coatings or other surface treatments are also contemplated. Surface treatments include the provision of sheet material to cover all or a portion of the impact surface  20 , for example. A non-slip material may be desirable for rendering the device more suitable for use on certain surface such as finished wood. 
     Alternatively, platform  12  can be formed as a single piece of rebound material. Like the laminated platform described above, a single block platform  12  can be shaped, coated or treated to have certain properties or for aesthetic reasons depending on an intended usage of the device  10 . Moreover, even with a single layer construction, more than one distinct material portions thereof can be made by conventional techniques used in the making of the material, e.g., using coextrusion techniques. It is believed that for conventional rubbers and plastics, high rebound platform  12 , whether formed from single or multiple layers, should have a thickness in the range of about 1 inch to about 12 inches and preferably has a thickness of about 4.5 inches for an average user. 
     Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, a high rebound platform  12 ′ may be constructed from materials without relying on a rebound characteristic of the material itself, as is the case with a foam layer or foam layers. A resilient material may be shaped to form a bladder  30 ′ (that may be similar to or different from the layered platform  12  of FIG. 1) and filled with a fluid  31 ′. Then, bladder  30 ′ can be compressed between a user&#39;s feet (which contact a foot support surface  18 ′ located on the top of platform  12 ′) and the ground or other rigid surface (which contacts an impact surface  20 ′ located on the bottom of platform  12 ′) so that the fluid  31 ′ (such as air) is compressed or bladder  30 ′ is caused to expand, or both, to store potential energy and so that kinetic energy provided during the transition of the structure from a compressed state to an uncompressed state is sufficient to create a rebound force that assists the user in jumping. 
     Again referring to FIGS. 1-5, foot support surface  18  and impact surface  20  of platform  12  are advantageously shaped to allow a user of the device  10  more easily to maintain balance while operating the device  10 . It is believed that platform  12  should have a depth (measured from a front face  22  to a back face  24  of platform  12 ) of at least about 2 inches and preferably has a depth in the range of about 4 inches to about 8 inches for an average user. It is also believed that platform  12  should have a width (measured from a first lateral side  26  to a second lateral side  28 ) of at least about 6 inches and preferably has a width of about 12 inches for an average user. In FIGS. 1-4, foot support surface  18  and impact surface  20  have the same shape, though, as above, foot support surface  18  and impact surface  20  could have shapes that differ from one another. 
     FIGS. 1-5 show a tether  14  formed preferably as a loop of flexible (i.e., non-rigid) cord having two straigtenable portions  32  and  34  that are attached to the platform  12 . As shown in FIG. 4, ends  36  and  38  of portions  32  and  34 , respectively, can be connected to a rigid rod  40  (preferably formed from bamboo because it is rigid and lightweight) that is located within the layers  30  of platform  12 . The ends  36  and  38  may be formed as loops that surround and connect to rod  40 . An opening  42  can be formed in one or more of the layers of platform  12  so as to allow portions  32  and  34  of tether  14  to pass through foot support surface  18  of platform  12  and attach to rod  40 . Other ways of connecting the tether portions  32  and  34  to the platform  12  are also contemplated. For example, the portions  32  and  34  can be passed through opening(s) of platform  12  all the way though and be tied to together at the impact surface  20  in which recesses can be formed to accommodate the tied portions  32  and  34  so as to provide a substantially flat, stable impact surface  20 . Likewise, the rod  40  may be provided at any location within the thickness of the platform  12  (e.g., between any two layers  30 ) and may be of any effective shape (e.g., a plate-like element to which ends  36  and  38  are attached). Also, recesses may be formed in the layers  30  so as to accommodate the rod  40  and provide substantially flat foot support and impact surfaces  18  and  20 . 
     Tether  14  is preferably significantly extendible and formed from an elastic material such as a textile-covered elastic cord or an extruded elastic tubing without a cover. Suitable tubing includes natural latex rubber tubing, commonly known as surgical tubing, because it is highly extendible. Alternatively, tether  14  can be formed from conventional non-elastic ropes, although an elastic tether  14  is preferred because an elastic tether  14  accommodates a wider range of user heights (by stretching to fit each user) and more securely holds the platform  12  against the user&#39;s feet during use due to the additional tension created by stretching the elastic tether  14 . An extendible tether  14  may alternatively comprise one or portions of non-extendible materials combined with an extendible portion which may comprise stretchable cord as above or an extension spring. 
     Handle  16  is formed on the tether  14  so as to provide the user of device  10  with a convenient place to grab and pull tether  14  away from platform  12 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, handle  16  is a T-shaped assembly attached to a loop end  44  of tether  14 . Handle  16 , perhaps shown best in FIG. 5, has a transverse rod  46  around which tether  14  is looped generally in a center portion  48  of rod  46  so as to define two gripping portions  50  and  52  of rod  46  on either side of center portion  48 . A foam sheath  54  surrounds a portion of tether  14  near the loop end  44 . Sheath  54  has opposing lateral openings  56  and  58  to allow rod  46  to pass through sheath  54 . Sheath  54  also has opposing longitudinal openings  60  and  62  that allow the ends  36  and  38  of the tether  14  to be threaded around rod  46  during assembly so that the loop end  44  of tether  14  can be looped around rod  46 . Gripping portions  50  and  52  are preferably covered with shaped foam tubing so as to form foam grips  64  and  66 , respectively, which provide the user of device  10  with padded gripping surfaces and prevent the loop end  44  of tether  14  and sheath  54  from sliding along the rod  46  during use of the device  10 . Preferably, lateral ends  68  and  70  of rod  46  have cross sectional areas that are greater than the cross sectional area of the interior portions of the rod  46  so as to prevent grips  64  and  66  from sliding off the rod  46 . As shown in FIG. 5, lateral ends  68  and  70  are formed integrally with rod  46 , although lateral ends  68  and  70  can be formed as separate pieces (e.g., as rimmed end caps) that are attached to rod  46 . Alternatively, the tether portions  32  and  34  may be directly tied on to the rod  46 , or otherwise connected by way of a mechanical faster or adhesive, or the like. 
     In operation, a user mounts the device  10  by placing the user&#39;s feet on the foot support surface  18  of platform  12  on either side of opening  42 , grabs the handle  16  with both of the user&#39;s hands, pulls the handle  16  away from platform  12  so as to tension tether  14 , and jumps upward. As the user&#39;s legs extend during jumping, tether  14  keeps the device  10  under the user&#39;s feet, which preferably is further facilitated by the use of an elastic tether  14  which is stretched to provide additional tension. Upon impact, the user&#39;s knees bend to help absorb impact and prepare for another extension. Also, upon impact a generally downward, compressive force is applied to foot support surface  18  of platform  12  causing platform  12  to be compressed between the user&#39;s feet and the ground (or other rigid surface) as foot support surface  18  moves closer to impact surface  20  so that potential energy is stored in platform  12 . The user extends the user&#39;s legs so as to propel the user and the device  10  upward which causes platform  12  to transition from a compressed state to an uncompressed state so as to release the stored potential energy as kinetic energy that creates a rebound force to assist the user in jumping. This motion can be done repeatedly for an indefinite length of time, as each subsequent jump utilizes the same compression of platform  12  to provide a rebound-assisted jump. The user can execute a wide range of maneuvers on device  10 , for example, by maneuvering the user&#39;s body as is done to perform maneuvers on conventional skateboards, snow boards, or downhill skis. 
     FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a jumping device  100  according to the present invention having a handle  116  formed integrally with a tether  114 . Device  100  has a high rebound platform  112  that is preferably similar to platform  12  and is fabricated from similar materials in a similar manner. Tether  114  is similar to tether  14 , is fabricated from similar materials in a similar manner, and is attached to platform  112  in the same way that tether  14  is attached to platform  12  except that tether  114  has only one end  136  that is tied to a rod  140  (similar to rod  40 ) located within the plurality of layers  130  of platform  112 . A handle  116  is formed as a loop  172  by tying or otherwise attaching an end  174  of tether  114  to an intermediate portion  176  of tether  114 . Preferably, end  174  is slidably attached to portion  176  so that the user of device  100  can alter the size of loop  172  by sliding end  174  along portion  176 . This can be done by a sliding knot (as shown) or by way of a conventional sliding/clamping device to which an end of tether  114  can be tied. Device  100  can be used in the same manner as device  10 . 
     As with any of the above specifically disclosed or suggested embodiments, the tether  14  (or  114 ) may comprise a single cord or may include any number of cords, so long as there is a connection to a high rebound platform  12  (or  112 ), and some means is provided to facilitate grasping by a user. A jumping device that interacts with a user&#39;s feet and hands is thus provided. Other handle constructions are also contemplated and may be secured in any matter to the tether  14  (or  114 ). 
     As yet another specifically contemplated embodiment, plural high rebound platforms can be used in combination with independent tethers. That is, two separate platforms may be provided, each having its own tether or tethers. Then, each tether may be combined together to form a handle or be connected to a separately provided handle. Each platform would preferably be connected to a tether or tethers in a way to permit independent leg movement. This may be facilitated by other fastening structures attached between the tether and the tether&#39;s platform, or by running plural tethers (or a loop from one tether) through the platform to extend on both sides of a user&#39;s foot to keep the platform oriented properly during use. 
     As still yet another specifically contemplated embodiment of a jumping device according to the present invention, a high rebound platform can comprise a foot support surface that is suspended from a rigid, trampoline-like frame. The foot support surface can be suspended from the frame by coil springs, stretchable cords, or other conventional tension springs devices. In this case, an impact surface created by is a portion of the frame that comes into contact with the ground or other rigid surface during use of the device. A flexible tether is attached to the high rebound platform, preferably in a position to be in between a user&#39;s feet, and a handle is formed on the tether to facilitate gripping by a user so as to provide the interaction between at least a hand and a foot of the user. The high rebound platform of this embodiment achieves a compressed state when the platform is compressed by the user&#39;s feet such that the foot support surface and/or the springs that attach the foot support surface to the frame, if any, are stretched and store potential energy in the deformed foot support surface and/or springs. When the high rebound platform transitions to the uncompressed state, the foot support surface and/or springs, if any, convert the potential energy to kinetic energy to provide a rebound force to assist the user in jumping. This embodiment is less advantageous for many uses, however, in that it requires more rigid parts and the platform is substantially compressible from only one surface (i.e., from the foot support surface). 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0