US3044773A - Seesaw rocker - Google Patents

Description

FIG.

July 17, 1962 T. H. cox 3,44,773

SEESAW ROCKER Filed Sept. 18; 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r\ m l w V um u, \f w 5 "1 Q v'//,. E3 N I \9 N l? y) E 52? w (Q QA L Nq l u] N 5 w IN w l w w 1 w f e 0 R Q N /y m D s R ./f m N N T TUBA/EVS.

July 17, 1962 T. H. cox 3,044,773

FIG. 3.

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Patented July 17,- 1962 dice 3,044,773 SEESAW ROCKER Thorald H. Cox, Odgen, Utah (Hooper, Utah) Filed Sept. 1S, 1959, Ser. No. 840,872 3 Claims. (Cl. 272-56) The present invention is related to rocker type seesaws and is more particularly concerned with an lamusement and exercising rocker for a plurality of participants.

The'principal object of the invention is to provide a readily moveable rocker to be operated by users positioned at opposite ends thereof with provision for the safety of `such users and means for slowing the end rocking motion of the rocker for preventing the possible upsetting of the riders.

A further and equally important object of the invention is to provide a seesaw rocker that can be used on relatively soft surfaces such as the ground orv grass as well as harder surfaces, can be intentionally inverted for use as an exercising and yamusement device for being climbed over by a number of persons, can be entered safely from underneath as Well as the sides and ends when upright in a rocking position and will not tip over sideways even with a considerable number of persons climbing on one side thereof. j

A still further important object is to provide ya rocker for a large number of persons at each v.end `as well as the center of the rocker and a rocker of considerable structural strength for supporting a group of users at one time as well as having a long life under rough handling.

Further, objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the present device.

FiG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rocker.

FIG.` 3 is a longitudinal sectioned view of the rocker.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail section of the runner and toe guard rail forming a part of the present device taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

And FIG. 5 is a side View of the device in its inverted position for use by climbers thereon.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like and corresponding parts are given similar reference characters, numeral 1 indicates an arcuate rocker, while numeral 2 indicates a second and similar arcuate rocker extending substantially parallel to, but spaced apart from rocker 1. A rod 3 has the opposite ends of rocker 1 connected thereto 'by welding or the like, While a similar rod 4 has the opposite ends of rocker 2 connected to end portions thereof. Rods 3 and 4 also are substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart a distance equal to that of the spacing `between said rockers.

A series of spokes 5 extend between and are connected to said rockers 1 and rod 3. These spokes are of an appropriate length for extending from rod 3 to the rocker and are also connected to these members fby Welding or other conventional means. Similar spokes 6 extend between and `connect rocker 2 with rod 4 and are joined to these members also by welding or the like.

An arcuate foot guard rail 7 having a curve similar to rocker 1 but of a smaller radius is connected at one side, also by welding to spokes 5, adjacent but slightly spaced above rocker 1. A similar foot guard rail 8 is connected at one edge to spokes 6 adjacent but spaced above rocker 2. Rail 8 is also of la slightly smaller diameter curve than rocker 2. Both rails 7 and 3 are formed from elongated rectangular metal plates having a roughened upper surface providing both p-rotection against the rockers 1 and 2 running over a foot adjacent said rockers and also a step and cat walk for persons mounting the present device.

An arcuate runner 9 yis connected at one end to rocker 1 and'to rod 3 at its opposite end, being spaced from the end portion of lrocker 1. A similar runner 10 is connected to the opposite endof rocker 1 and rod 3 While further similar runners 11 and 12 are connected tothe opposite ends of rocker 2 and rod 4.

Spokes 13 extend between the corresponding rockersl and 2 and the runners 9, 10, 11 and 12 spacing the runners from the rockers and supporting the same in that position.

A seat 14 is attached to the corresponding end portion of rods 3 and 4 by rivets 15, for example, while a similar seat 16 is attached to the corresponding opposite ends of said rods 3 and 4 by rivets 17. Thus, these seats extend crosswise of rods 3 andv 4 at the opposite end portions thereof. y

An upright 13 is connected at `one en'd torod 4,- -while a similar upright 19 is connected to rod 3. A hand hold 20 connects the upper ends of uprights 18 and 19, while a cross bar 21 connects said uprights at their middle portion and brace 22 reinforces said uprights. Said uprights and hand hold are positioned in front of 4seat 14 for being grasped by persons seated on said seat. o

A second hand hold 23 is positioned in iront of seat 16 for a similar purpose and is supported by uprights 24 and 25 mounted on rods 4 and 3, respectively. Said uprights 24 and 25 are also connected to their medial portion by a cross bar 26 and further supported 4by braces 27. A hand hold 28 is supported by uprights 29 and 30 upon a medial portion of rods 4 and 3, While a further hand hold 31, likewise is supported on an opposite medial portion of said rods by uprights 32 and 33.

A bar 34 is connected to spokes 6, while Ia similar bar 35 is connected to spokes 4. A foot rest 36 for persons seated on seat 14 extend between said bars 34 and 35, while a rail 37 extends between said bars and is connected thereto directly beneath hand rail 28.

A bar 38 is also connected to spokes 6 at the opposite end of rod 4 while a bar 39 is connected to spokes 5 at the opposite end of rod 3. A foot rail 40 is xedly mounted on 'bars 38 and 39 `beneath hand rail 23 for persons seatedon seat 16. Rail 41 is lixedly mounted 0n bars 38 and 39 beneath hand rail 31.

A Ibar 42 is connected to the lower ends of spokes 5, while a bar 43 is connected to the lower ends of spokesV 6, with both bars supporting a step 44. Similar jbar 45 is connected to the lower ends of spokes 5, while a bar 46 is connected to the lower ends of spokes 6 supporting a step 47 between said bars. `A further bar 48 is connected to a central portion of spokes 5, while a similar bar is connected to a central portion of spoke 6 and a combination seat and platform 50 is connected to and extends between said bars; Risers 51 and 52 connects steps 44 and 47 to platform 50. Hand rail 28, guard rail 37 and the free edge of step 44 extends substantially in the same plane, while hand rail 31, guard rail 41-and the free edge of step 47 are likewise substantially in the same plane. tends between 'and connects rod 4 with rocker 1, while a similar member 54 also extends diagonally from rod 4 to rocker 1, imparting rigidity to the present device. Brace 55 extends from rocker 1 to `foot rail 36, While brace 56 extends from said foot rail 36 to rocker 2. Likewise, lbrace 57 connects rocker 1 with foot rail 40, While brace 58 connects rocker 2 with foot rail 40.

A foot guard plate 60 is connected to spokes 6 and spokes 13 adjacent runner 12, while foot guard plate 61 is connected to spokes 5 and spokes 13y of runner 10. A foot guard plate 62 is connected to spoke 6 and spokes 13 of runner 11, while `foot guard plate 63 is connected to spokes 6 `and spokes 13 of runner 9. These foot guard plates are spaced slightly above .the adjacent runner for A` diagonally supporting member 53 ex-V 3 protecting the feet of riders seated on seats 14 and 16 adjacent these runners.

To use the present seesaw rocker, the same is positioned with runners 1 and 2 upon an appropriate supporting surface and riders can then climb onto seats 14 and 16 by way of foot guards 7 and 8, or by climbing underneath. The riders then by placing their feet upon rails 36 and 40 and grasping hand rails 20 and 23, can impart a rocking motion with the seats 14 and 16 alternating in an up and down motion in the manner of a seesaw. However, as the runners 1 and 2 approach the supporting surface at the seat end 14 thereof, runners 9 and 11 will engage supporting surface providing a slightly rising motion to seat 16 and gradually slow down the rocker motion of the device preventing riders from being jolted from the seats. Similarly, when seat 16 moves downwardly, the runners 10 and 12 will engage the supporting surface imparting a gradual lifting motion to seat 14, which likewise slows down the rocking motion and prevents a sudden jolting stop to the seesaw action.

Additional rides can stand or sit on platform 50 or steps 44 and 47 being retained by bars 37 and 41 and hand rails 28 and 31. These riders also assist in imparting the rocking motion to the present device and likewise are amused thereby.

The present seesaw rocker cannot be tipped over when even a number of persons stand, for example, on foot guard 7 and pull on the rod 3. However, the entire device can be intentionally inverted by being properly lifted and turned over until the rocker assumes the position of FIGURE 5. At such time hand rails 20 and 23 which are equal `distance from rods 3 and 4 due to supports 18, 19, 24 land 25 being of the same length and extending perpendicular from said rods will support the entire device so that same can be climbed by individuals -as an amusement and also for exercise, and the steps 44 and 47 as well as seats 14 and 16 can be used as seats for the climbers. To again employ the device as a seesaw rocker, it should be reinverted to the position of FIG- URES 1 to 3 inclusive.

Rockers 1 and 2, as best shown in FIGURE 4, are provided by relatively wide step plates having spokes 5 and 6 riveted thereto so that present rocker can be employed upon a soft supporting surface. Foot guard 7 for example, is connected to spokes 6 at one edge by welding 64 while the upper face of said foot guards have protuberances 65 to prevent the slipping of persons wall;- ing thereon.

The present invention is capable of considerable modiiication and such changes thereto as come Within the scope of the appended claims is deemed to be a part thereof.

'I claim:

1. A seesaw rocker comprising a pair of arcuate ground rockers, means spacing said rockers apart and maintaining said rockers parallel to one another, a pair of straight rods each extending longitudinally of one of said rockers with the ends of the rocker connected thereto, the end portions of each of said rods extending beyond their respective rocker, rider supporting members mounted on the extended end portions of said rods, handholds adjacent said members connecting said rods spacing the same apart in substantially parallel relationship, and curved runners each connected at one end to an end portion of one of said rockers and extending longitudinally thereof, but spaced therefrom and at its other end to an extended end of the rod connected to its respective rocker.

2. A seesaw rocker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handholds are U-shaped cross bars fixedly mounted on and extending laterally of and from said rods on a side thereof opposite said rockers providing handholds for riders and supports for the rocker when inverted with said cross bars positioned on a supporting surface.

3. A seesaw rocker as claimed in claim 1, wherein a platform having steps at each side thereof is supported between medial portions of said rods and rockers providing a standing support for riders when said rockers are on a supporting surface and seats when the rocker is inverted.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 516,368 Davis Mar. 13, 1894 915,793 Parameter Mar. 23, 1909 1,431,214 Burgess Oct. 10, 1922 1,589,443 Taylor s June 22, 1926 1,599,014 Hunter Sept. 7, 1926 2,768,828 Pack Oct. 30, 1956 2,907,570 Horowitz Oct. 6, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 131,103 Australia Ian. 24, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Playthings, November 1958, volume 56, No. 11, page 73 cited.

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