US2803461A - Exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 20, 195 s. L. COPLIN EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20. 1954 INVENTOR.

B) wrun arsenal res? r:al No. 451,251

The present invention relates to an exercising toy for both children and adults and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a toy for the purpose of exercise as well as amusement.

The present novel invention is an exercising apparatus in the nature of a balancing device wherein the structure is such as to atiord a pivot point providing a rolling movement in all directions. Thus it provides a source of amusement as a person endeavors to stand on the novel toy without losing balance. if an individual becomes proficient it is possible to travel across the ground or floor on the apparatus, causing it to bounce along under the feet. The use of the apparatus also afiords a considerable amount of exercise to assist in keeping the body muscles in condition.

it is an important object of this invention to provide a novel exercising apparatus for the purpose of aiiording amusement to adults as well as children.

It is another object of this invention to provide a toy having exercise qualities as well as amusement purposes.

it is still another object of this invention to provide an exercising apparatus which is simple and economical in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention with certain portions shown in dotted lines for clarity.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rocker members of the invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one of the rocker members of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second rocker member of the invention.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the balancing board of the invention with the location of rocker members shown in dotted lines for clarity and depicting the location of shock absorbing members.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character it? refers generally to an exercising toy comprising a substantially square balancing board 12 and a pair of arcuately or substantially semi-circular shaped rocker members 14 and 16. The rocker member 16 (Fig. 4) is provided with a slot or recess 1% extending vertically upward from the center of the arcuate portion 26 to a point approximately in the middle of the rocker member 16. The slotted recess 18 is of substantially the same width as the thickness of the rocker member $14. The rocker member is likewise provided with a slotted recess 22, similar to the recess 18, and extends downwardly from the center of the horizontal portion 24 to a point approximately in the middle of the rocker member E4. The Width of the recess 22 is substantially the same as the thickness of the rocker member 16.

The two rocker members 1 and 16 may be assembled in a perpendicular relationship as clearly shown in Fi 3 in that the recess 1;; permits the rocker member in to fit over the rocker 14, and in a similar manner the recess 22 allows the rocker member 14 to seat with the rocker member 16. A plurality of spacers 26, preferably made of rubber or the like, but not limited thereto, are provided as shock absorbers between the balance board 12 and the assembled rocker members 1. -3 and 16. The spacers 26 are preferably disposed in the proximity of the outer ends or" the substantially flat portions 24 and 28 of the rocker members 14 and 16 (Fig. 6).

In operation of the novel exercising toy, a person may stand with both feet on balance board 12. It will be apparent that the rocker assembly will permit the toy to pivot about the center in all directions. A certain amount of skill must be attained to enable a person to retain his balance on the toy 11}, thereby affording amusement as well as exercise to the user. As one becomes proficient in balancing the toy it), it may even be possible to jump on the balance board 12 in such a manner as to allow the resilient spacers 26 to cooperate with the rocker assembly thereby causing the toy unit to move or jump across the ground. Many variations of exercising and amusement may be had, such as a person placing each foot on a separate toy unit ill and then trying to properly balance himself or herself thereon. Many other means of amusement and exercise on the toy unit 19 may be utilized.

As is shown, the toy unit ill) and the rocker assembly 14 and 16 and balance board 12 are all constructed of wood or similar material. However, it is apparent that it may be made of other material such as metal, plastic or the like, as is feasible and economical.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel toy design for a variety of entertaining uses as well as providing considerable exercise for the user. The toy is also of a simple and economical construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. In an exercising device comprising a pair of semicircular shaped rocker members having centrally disposed grooves for interlocking the rockers in a perpendicular disposition, a plurality of resilient spacers provided on each of the rockers near the opposed ends thereof, a standing board supported by the spacers and adhesively secured thereto, said resilient spacers providing for a resilient action between the rockers and the standing board.

2. in an exercising toy comprising a pair of intersecting rockers having semi-circular lower surfaces and substantially fiat upper surfaces, a plurality of resilient rubber spacer members secured near each end of the flat surfaces of the rockers, a balancing board of substantially flat and square configuration supported by the shock absorber members, said standing board and semi-circular rocker members cooperating with the resilient spacers to provide a combined resilient and rocking movement of the exercising toy.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS

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