DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Pogo Bike

[0023] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the pogo bike device. The preferred embodiment has a bouncing assembly that comprises a vertically oriented length of structural tubing 1 that receives a length of structural tubing 2 having a slightly smaller diameter. The structural tubing 2 may be attached to structural tubing 1 by an internal spring and retaining pin assembly. Alternatively, a gas-charged compression cylinder may connect the two, or a compressible gas bladder may be employed. Each of these bouncing assembly configurations has as its central purpose the ability to store energy as the pogo bike compresses the assembly and the ability to release the energy as the assembly is decompressed so as to facilitate launching the device a short distance in the air. Other bouncing assembly configurations are contemplated and may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0024] Attached to the bouncing assembly is a set of handlebars 4 having a (left-to-right) horizontal center that is positioned forward of the (front-to-back) vertical axis of the bouncing assembly (see FIG. 3). The horizontal offset between the handlebar center and the vertical axis is preferably greater than about one inch and less than about twenty-five inches. More preferably, the offset is about ten inches.

[0025] The handlebars 4 are preferably mounted on the bouncing assembly by an angularly braced structure 5, and they preferably include a pair of handgrips 6 (see FIG. 5). The angularly braced structure is preferably constructed from standard tubular sections and includes a conventional bicycle handlebar mounting system. The handgrips are preferably of a standard type used for bicycles or other vehicles when a sure but comfortable grip is desired.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, the bouncing assembly also has an attached set of footrests 7. The (left-to-right) horizontal center of the footrests is positioned backward from the (front-to-back) vertical axis of the bouncing assembly (see FIG. 3). The horizontal offset between the footrest center and the vertical axis is preferably greater than about one inch and less than about fifteen inches. More preferably, the offset is about eight inches. A vertical offset is provided between the handlebar center and the foot rest center of preferably at least fifteen inches and preferably less than about forty inches. More preferably, the vertical offset of about twenty-seven inches.

[0027] The footrests 7 are preferably mounted on the bouncing assembly by an angularly braced structure 8. The footrests preferably have a top surface with a rectangular or oval cross-section (see FIG. 4). The top of the footrests is preferably surfaced with a rubber or high-friction material, but other surfaces are also contemplated. These includes a cleated surface. The footrests preferably include foot control plates 9. Each foot control plate is preferably a curved surface mounted near the instep side of a footrest and designed to contact the side and top of the foot. These plates may enable the rider to more naturally grip the device between the feet for more control while jumping.

[0028] The structural tubing 1, 2, the handlebars 4, the footrests 7, the angular supports 5, 8, and the foot control plates 9, may each be constructed of metal, plastic, and/or suitable composite materials. Suitable metals may be aluminum, steel, titanium, etc. Suitable composite materials may include carbon graphite, fiberglass, etc. The structure of the device is preferably designed to be as light as practical while maintaining a high degree of ruggedness. The pogo bike device may be entirely assembled from individual components, or large portions of the device may be cast as a unitary piece.

[0029] In the preferred usage, a rider places his hands on the handgrips, holds the pogo bike in front of himself, and leaps onto the bike so that his feet land on the footrests. This causes compression of the bouncing assembly, which then responds by bouncing the rider back into the air. The rider preferably maintains his grip on the bike using feet and hands, and attempts to add to the height of the bounce by flexing and straightening his legs in synchronization with the compression and release of the bouncing assembly. A rider is shown mounted on the pogo bike in FIG. 2.

[0030] FIG. 13 shows an alternate bouncing mechanism in which the spring is located external to the inner telescoping tube. FIG. 14 shows yet another alternate bouncing mechanism utilizing a compressed gas filled bladder as an energy storage mechanism.

[0031] Ground-engagement Pad

[0032] In the normal operation of a hopping toy such as a Pogo Stick™, safe operation is limited to hard-surfaced areas. This is because the toy will sink into soft surfaces due to the small cross-section of the traditional ground-engaging pad. However, operation on hard surfaces tends to aggravate the consequences of inevitable falls and tumbles. Further, the most popularly used hard surfaces are likely not suitable for safe operation, i.e. parking areas, residential streets, crowded sidewalks.

[0033] FIG. 8, shows a ground-engagement pad 10 having a larger cross-sectional area 11 that distributes the weight of toy and rider to reduce sinking in soft surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the pad is molded from hard rubber, Polyurethane or some other resilient material. The pad preferably allows a small amount of deformation but robustly returns to it original shape after the deforming force is removed. The top end of the pad (see FIG. 10) preferably includes an opening 12 of suitable inside diameter to accept a length of standard-diameter structural tubing 2 common to most Pogo Stick™ toys and related devices. The diameter of the opening 11 is preferably designed to provide a friction fit, although other securing means (FIG. 12) may alternatively be used. For example, the opening may include an internal thread that engages matching threads on the structural tubing, or a securing bolt may be passed through a common hole in both the pad and the structural tubing. The bottom surface of the ground-engagement pad (see FIG. 2) preferably has a diameter of not less than about four inches. This provides approximately twenty-five square inches of cross-sectional area. The diameter is also preferably less than about eight inches.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the ground engagement pad is preferably arrayed with protrusions 13 to aid in traction on soft surfaces. The protrusions, if provided, may be between ¼ inch and 1¼ inches tall, and may be between ¼ inch and one inch in diameter. The protrusions are preferably smooth and separated by sufficient distance to allow self-clearing of divots and dirt during normal use.

[0035] Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.