Jumper

Sept. 5, 1939. _H. wenker 2,172,000

JUMPER

Filed March 1, 1939

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INVENTOR.

Patented Sept S, 1939

2,172,000

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,172,000

JUMPER

Henry Wenker, Elizabeth, N. J.

Application March 1, 1939, Serial No. 259,086

Claims. (Cl. 272—70)

My invention relates to improvements in jumping devices which are intended to enable a child to jump upwards and forwards for considerable distances, thereby providing a healthful and 5 amusing exercise for the child.

Essentially, my invention consists of a system of two elastic S-shaped springs arranged in the form of a horizontal letter V, and means to attach one of these spring arrangements to each leg of 10 the child.

The objects of the improvements are, first, to reduce the number of operating parts, and thereby the cost, of my jumper as much as possible without impairing its efficiency; and second, to 15 increase by a novel arrangement of springs the efficiency of the device in about the same proportion as a forward; or running, movement is added to the upward, or jumping movement usually associated with devices of this kind.

One form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a jumper in applied position, the coacting leg being diagrammatically indicated by broken lines, and the device in the enok suing phase of contraction of the springs being indicated by broken dotted lines; Figure 2 is a detailed view in perspective of the device.

In practice, each jumper comprises an elongated brace or member I, preferably of metal.

The upper part of this member I is widened so as to encircle, in part, the leg of the child, and is provided with leather straps 2 adapted to be disposed around the leg to hold the upper portion of the member I thereto. The lower part of the member I is shaped in form of a heel piece so as to encircle, in part, the heel of the foot of the child, and secured to this heel piece are straps 3 to engage over the instep of the foot. To the lower end of this heel piece is secured 40 by screws 4 ,a pedal or foot rest 5 in the form of a plate, preferably of wood', having the general outline of the foot. The forward or toe portion of the pedal 5 is provided with straps 6 for engagement over the forward or toe portion 45 of the foot. .

Beneath the pedal 5 is an open V-shaped spring, including an upper S-shaped leaf 7 secured with its forward end to the forward or toe end of the pedal 5 by screws 8, and a lower S-shaped leaf 50 9 secured with Its rear end to the rear end of the upper leaf 7 by rivets 10. The forward portion of the lower leaf 9, in applied position, serves as a base resting on the ground and is preferably formed With a flexible rubber coating If 55 which functions to prevent skidding on the ground when the device is in actual use.

The forward end of the upper leaf 7 is connected to the forward end of the lower leaf 9 by strap 12 of a flexible material with its lower end riveted to the forward end of leaf 9, and its upper end screwed to the pedal 5 . and interposed between the upper leaf I and a metal strap 13. This strap 12 opposes the expensive 5 movement of the V-shaped spring and at a given desired position prevents further expansion of the spring.

It will be understood that during actual operation of the device the point of contact of spring 10 9 with the ground will shift toward the forward end of spring 9 at approximately the same rate as a forward or running movement is added to the upward or jumping movement of the child, thereby increasing the operating length of the . 15 spring and its efficiency. This will add materially to the enjoyment of the device as it enables the child to cover distances at a relatively high rate of speed with comparatively small effort.

I am aware that prior to my invention jump- 20 ing devices have been described comprising a foot rest, a brace and a spring arrangement under the foot rest. I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly.