GB2325864A

GB2325864A - Bouncing toy

Info

Publication number: GB2325864A
Application number: GB9716638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Stephen Farmers; Kim Riddington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-05
Filing date: 1997-08-07
Publication date: 1998-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-07
Also published as: GB2325864B; GB9716638D0; GB9711580D0

Abstract

A Bouncing Toy comprises an inflatable cushion 12 on which are mounted two slip-in foot holders 14. Attached to the sides of the cushion at 16, and running through each foot holder 14, is a webbing or strap 18 which passes under a tie strap 19 and terminates in a handle or hand grip 20. The user may manoeuvre by slipping his feet into the holders 14, grabbing the handles 20 and jumping up and down.

Description

PLAY APPARATUS This invention relates to play apparatus for use by children or adults. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to play apparatus which assists coordination skills such as balance, and also provides exercise for a user.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a play apparatus comprising an inflatable cushion portion and respective foot-retaining mean, associated with said cushion portion for releasably locating a foot of a user, whereby a user can move himself and the apparatus around by jumping up and down.

Preferably each foot-retaining means comprises a strip element or cover means defining a pocket for receiving the front portion of a user's foot.

In one arrangement, the apparatus may also include one or more manually grippable straps attached to the cushion portion and providing hand engagable portions which may be gripped by the user for greater stability in use. The straps may be of adjustable length. Preferably, the or each strap forms part of or co-operates with the foot-retaining means whereby the foot-retaining function is enhanced by lifting the manually grippable portions. Thus, each grippable strap may be anchored at one end to the cushion portion, pass other (or define) said foot-retaining means, thereafter to pass under a retaining element to extend to the other end to carry a handle. In this arrangement, pulling the handle will apply a compressive lóad to the foot-retaining means.

The cushion portion may comprise an inflatable member and an outer cover element. The cushion portion is preferably ring-shaped, circular, triangular, or of other polygonal form. In this case, the centre of the ring may tautly support a web element whereby the web may function as a trampoline element.

Whilst the invention has been described above it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and, by way of example only, an embodiment thereof will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view from the front of a play apparatus of this invention; Figure 2 is front section view of a play apparatus of this invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a play apparatus of this invention when in use.

The play apparatus 10 comprises an inflatable cushion 12 of a rubber or rubber-like material forming a triangular ring. On the cushion 12 are mounted two slip-in foot holders 14. Attached to the sides of the cushion at 16 and running through each foot holder 14 (or formed integrally therewith) is a webbing or strap 18 passes under a tie strap 19 and which terminates in a handle or hand grip 20. A buckle 22 allows the length of the strap or webbihg 18 to be adjusted to suit the height of a particular user. In use, a child or adult places one foot in each of the two foot holders 14. By pulling on the two handles or grips 20, the fit around the foot tightens to hold the user firmly to the apparatus. The user jumps and the apparatus stays with the feet and provides a bounce. With practice, the user will be able to bounce in any direction and to control the nature of the bounce by pulling on each of the handles or grips 20 as required. The foot holders 14 fit any foot size and pulling on the straps tightens the hold on the foot, whilst letting go of the strap 18 automatically releases the foot grip.

Although the device is shown as being of triangular ring shape, it may be of any other suitable shape and size, for example a toroidal or other shape.

As the apparatus is inflatable it may be stored in a deflated compact condition for storage or distribution.

In a modification a flexible web element may be tautly supported across the centre of the ring to provide a trampoline effect.

The inflatable cushion 12 may carry an outer cover, e.g. to protect the cushion against damage or punctures, or to carry visual graphics or designs.

Claims

1. A play apparatus comprising an inflatable cushion portion and respective foot-retaining means fixedly associated with said cushion portion for releasably receiving a foot of a user, whereby a user can move himself and the apparatus by jumping up and down.

2. A play apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each foot-retaining means comprises a strip element or cover means defining a pocket for receiving the front portion of a user's foot.

3. A play apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said foot-retaining means are disposed generally on top of said inflatable cushion in use.

4. A play apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including one or more manually grippable strap means attached to said cushion portion for being gripped by a user for greater stability in use.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said strap means are of adjustable length.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said strap means is associated with said foot retaining means in a manner whereby tension applied to said strap means tends to apply a gripping action to at least one of said footretaining means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said strap means comprises two straps, each secured at one end region to said cushion portion and passing over or defining said foot-retaining means.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said cushion portion comprises an inflatable member and an outer cover element.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cushion portion is generally ring-shaped.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, including a web element which in use is supported tautly by said ring-shaped cushion portion, thereby to provide a trampoline portion.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.