Roller board device

April 8, 1958

F. G. LUDWIG

ROLLER BOARD DEVICE

2,829,891

Filed June 8, 1955

Sheets—Sheet 1

<img file="US2829891A_D0001.tif" />

F. G. LUDWIG

ROLLER BOARD DEVICE

April 8, 1958

Filed June 8, 1955

2,829,891

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2829891A_D0002.tif" />

<img file="US2829891A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2829891A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="US2829891A_D0005.tif" />

2,829,891

Patented Apr. 8, 1958

United States Patent Office

2,829,891

KOLLER BOARD DEVICE

Frederic George Ludwig, Woodbridge, Conn.

Application June 8,1955, Serial No. 513,966

Claim. (Cl. 272—1)

The present invention relates to a gymnastic device or toy of the type used to develop balancing skill and more particularly to the so-called “Bongo Board.”

The “Bongo Board” consists chiefly of a board about three feet long placed on a cylindrical rolling member about six to eight inches in diameter and a bit longer than the width of the board. The purpose of the device is to test one’s skill in balancing by attempting to balance the board on the cylindrical rolling member. For the novice, this device is very dangerous in that it may quickly run out from under the unskilled user causing a serious fall.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate the dangers described by providing the novice with means for controlling the above-described devices.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a controlling means for a “Bongo Board” which comprises a rope wound around the cylindrical rolling member of the device, extending beyond the ends of the board, and held in the hands of the user to control the turn or roll of the cylinder.

Other and more detailed objects will be apparent from the following description and drawing wherein the same numerals designate the same structure in the various views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodied in the present invention showing the manner in which it is used.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1 showing in perspective the details of the elements of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken through line 3—3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4—4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 4 showing an alternative means of winding the rope around the cylindrical rolling member.

Figure 6 is a partial plan view of a board of the present device showing the details of the end pulley.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the present invention broken away to show the details of the pulley construction.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the board portion of the device is designated at 1. This may be made of any suitable material, preferably of wood, and of any convenient length and width. A convenient length for tile board would be about three feet. Board 1 is provided at its lateral edges with notches 2 to provide means for securing a guide means for rope 3 therein. The rope guide means of the specific embodiment illustrated is pulley 4. Pulley 4 is rotatively supported in notch 2 of board 1 by shaft 5. The undersurface of board 1 is provided with a rail 6 which rides in the circumferential groove 8 provided in the cylindrical rolling member 7.

The cylindrical rolling member of the present invention is designated at 7 and is preferably six to eight 5 inches in diameter and a little longer than the width of board 1. It is preferably made of wood and is provided with a groove 8 extending around the circumference of the cylinder which accommodates rail 6 of board 1. The cylindrical rolling member may alternatively take 10 the form of two wheels, preferably made of wood, firmly attached to each other by a rather large wooden axle or core.

The rope 3 may be a simple rope as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or may be provided with a handle 9 (see Figure 15 7) at each end. Rope 3 may also be an elastic rope which adds smoothness and grace to the balancing operation. Handles of various forms may be used at the ends of the rope.

In use rope 3 is wound around cylindrical rolling mem20 ber 7 in groove 8 either as illustrated in Figure 4 or in Figure 5. Groove 8 in cylindrical rolling member 7 is of sufficient depth to accommodate the windings of rope 3 without interference of the movement of rail 6 therein. The rope is then passed over the pulleys and 25 kept in place by the operator. The operator controls the rotation of the cylindrical rolling member by applying tension to the ropes in his hands which in turn tighten on the groove in the cylindrical rolling member. These ropes also aid the operator in balancing on the device.

In using the device, the beginner may loop the rope twice around the groove in the cylindrical rolling member. This provides a snubbing action thus assuring perfect control. Later, as skill is acquired, a single loop is used which allows the cylindrical rolling member to roll 35 more freely when tension on the rope is relaxed. When the user becomes thoroughly proficient, the rope may be removed.

A few specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, it is under40 stood that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.