Bearing and support

• US 4,340,216 A
• Filed: 03/28/1980
• Issued: 07/20/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond J. Murphy
• Original Assignee: Raymond J. Murphy
• Inventors: Murphy, Raymond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US06/135,194
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 272/109, 272/111, 272/24, 16/88, 295/1, 295/44, 308/15, 308/16, 308/20, 308/6 R, 308/196, 104/135, 104/134, 104/1, 104/94, 104/95, 104/89, 104/62, 193/35 R, 193/35 MD, 193/37, 105/150, 105/154, 105/155, 254/236, 254/385, 212/134, 182/37
• US Class Current: 482/43
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/163 holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 Using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses drawing-out devices A61H1/0218
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 1/00 Horizontal bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2005/163 Free-fall jumping on elastic cords, e.g. Bungee jumping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/08 Jumping, vaulting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/12 Acrobats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 4/00 Balance beams
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/11 Trampolines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0064 Attachments on the trainee preventing falling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/00 Freely-suspended gymnastic apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 13/006 Guiding rollers, wheels or the like, formed by or on the outer element of a single bearing or bearing unit, e.g. two adjacent bearings, whose ratio of length to diameter is generally less than one
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/507 : with rolling elements journaled in one of the moving parts, e.g. stationary rollers to support a rotating part
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2316/30 : Articles for sports, games and amusement, e.g. roller skates, toys
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/005 : Guide rails or tracks for a linear bearing, i.e. adapted for movement of a carriage or bearing body there along
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/045 : having rolling elements journaled in one of the moving parts

Abstract

In a bearing and support for use either as a bearing, per se, or as a bearinged support for other items and incorporating the bearing of this invention; the bearing includes at least a pair of rotatable members that rotate or counter-rotate about a common axis, a shaft supporting the rotatable members for rotation about its common axis; roller, ball, sleeve, or other forms of bearings disposed between the rotatable members and the shaft to facilitate the rotation of the members therearound; a structural member incorporating a series of keepers upon its upper and lower edges and which retain races or tracks, and being disposed for having one of the rotatable members associated thereon to provide a bearing suspended support for holding other items, or the body of a person. The bearinged support may be of a circular or of a nonannular design, to carry both radial and thrust loads, thereby increasing its various uses, which include, among other concepts, the application of the support for use in conjunction with gymnastic equipment, such as to provide safety during usage of the horizontal bar, balance beam, the trampoline, or even during tumbling, and in addition, the support has usage for facilitating the plight of the invalid. Furthermore, the invention can be used as a bearing to support both radial and thrust loads, can be used in cams, machinery, dollies, manufacturing transfer machines, conveyors, and safety equipment, among other items. A crossarm for movement along a track provides the overhead structure for holding the bearinged support at a variable or fixed disposition therebelow, as during use of the support for one of the aforesaid purposes. The structural member and its races of the support are separable, being held together by means of an adjustable bridging member, thereby advancing the state of the art by allowing the opening up of the bearing races and wrapping the assembly around the shaft, body or load, and by use of the adjustable bridge draw the assembly and load into continuous contact through a tightening and locking the bridge.

Claims

1. A crossarm for use in conjunction with gymnastic equipment including a pair of supportive tracks, at least a pair of bearings, one of each bearing being operatively associated with one of said tracks, each bearing including a pair of counter rotatable members, said pair of members being rotatable about a common axis, a shaft having the pair of members rotatably mounted thereon and providing the common axis about which said members rotate, bearing means arranged intermediate the said rotatable members and the shaft to facilitate the turning of the said members therearound, a tubular member extending approximately the distance between each pair of bearings and being connected thereto, a sheave rotatably mounted proximate each end of the tubular member, a series of cables, and one of each cable operatively associated with the equipment and extending around the sheave for connection with the crossarm.

2. The invention of claim 1 and including at least one spring means arranged within the tubular member, said spring means having said series of cables operatively associated therewith and provided for adjustably varying the distance of the equipment from the crossarm during its usage.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein there are two spring means provided within the tubular means of the crossarm, each spring means being fixed at one end to the crossarm, one of each cable extending around a sheave further extending into and through the tubular member and one of said spring means for fastening proximate its other end thereof, whereby upon use of the said equipment the exertion of a force upon a cable varies the distance of the said equipment from the crossarm.

4. The invention of claim 1 and including a pair of races connecting to each track, and one of each counter rotatable member of a bearing disposed for riding upon one of each race.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein there are a pair of bearings riding upon the pair of races of each track.

6. A bearinged support for use for holding a gymnast and comprising a structural member provided for embracing said gymnast while functioning upon a balance beam, said structural member being resilient in content and having upper and lower edges, a series of keepers provided spacedly around the proximate upper and lower edges of said structural member, a pair of races, one of each race being held by the keepers associated with the upper and lower member edges, at least a pair of bearings operatively associated with the races of said support, each bearing comprising a pair of rotatable members, each pair of members being rotatable about a common axis and being capable of simultaneously turning in opposite directions, a shaft having the members rotatably mounted thereon and providing the common axis about which the said members turn, bearing means arranged intermediate the rotatable members and their shaft to facilitate the turning of said members therearound, said structural member being separable to allow its installation upon the gymnast, fastening means operatively associated with said member to secure its separate ends together as during usage, a cable operatively associated with each bearing and extending angularly away therefrom, a supported track suspended above and substantially aligned with the said balance beam, a crossarm roller mounted for movement along said track, the said cables being connected with the crossarm, whereby the gymnast attains maneuverability through a variety of motions while performing upon the balance beam with freedom from experiencing a fall.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said crossarm extends laterally to either side of the supported track.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said crossarm further extends angularly downwardly from the supported track.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said crossarm comprises a tubular member, a sheave rotatably mounted proximate each end of the tubular member, one of each said cables extending from the support arranged around a sheave and further extending within and partially through the said tubular member, the ends of said cables extending into the tubular member being fixed with respect to the said tubular member.

10. The invention of claim 9 and including a pair of spring means one of each spring means being disposed within each laterally extending portion of the crossarm tubular member, and the said cables extending within the said members being operatively connected with respect to the said spring means for providing variations under pressure in the length of said cables between the crossarm and its held support.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein one of said cables extends through the spring means that secures to its inner end, a pair of securing means, one of each securing means connecting at one end to the crossarm in the proximity of the supported track, and extending at its other end also through the said spring means for attachment at its outer disposed end, whereby pressure exerted upon the said cables contracts the said spring means for adjustably varying the lengths of the said cables between the crossarm and its held support.

12. The invention of claim 6 wherein said supported track includes a pair of web connected channels, and at least a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the crossarm, and at least one of each roller disposed for riding upon one of said track channels.

13. The invention of claim 6 and including a pair of columns provided at either end of the supported track, said track being adjustably held by said column, whereby the height of the supported track above the balance beam may be varied.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein frame means support each track column as arranged at approximately each end of the said track, and said columns being adjustably held by said frame means to provide for adjustment in the established heighth of the supported track above the balance beam.

15. The invention of claim 6 and including frame means supporting the said track, said frame means being foldable to facilitate its storage as when not in use.

16. The invention of claim 6 and including a release means interconnecting between a bearing and each cable and when actuated disconnecting each cable from its attachment with the support.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein said release means includes one of a solenoid and electromagnet.

18. A bearinged support for use for holding a gymnast for functioning upon the trampoline and supporting equipment and comprising a structural member provided for embracing the gymnast, said structural member being resilient in content and having upper and lower edges, a series of keepers provided spacedly around the proximate upper and lower edges of said structural member, a pair of races, one of each race being held by the keepers associated with the upper and lower member edges, at least a pair of bearings operatively associated with the races of said support, each bearing comprising a pair of rotatable members, each pair of members being rotatable about a common axis and capable of simultaneously turning in opposite directions, a shaft having the members rotatably mounted thereon and providing the common axis about which the said members turn, bearing means arranged intermediate the rotatable members and their shaft to facilitate the turning of said members therearound, said structural member being separable to allow its installation upon the gymnast, fastening means operatively associated with said member to secure its separate ends together as during usage, a cable operatively associated at one end with each bearing and extending angularly therefrom, a pair of uprights, one of each upright arranged laterally to either side of the trampoline, each cable at its other end arranged for vertically shifting with respect to its proximate upright, whereby the gymnast is allowed to maneuver through a variety of motions upon the trampoline with freedom from experiencing a fall from the same.

19. The invention of claim 18 and including a vertically arranged bar aligned with each upright and secured into parallel therewith, a roller assembly means arranged upon each bar and disposed for movement thereon, and each cable at its said other end connecting to one of said roller assembly.

20. The invention of claim 19 and wherein each roller assembly means provided upon each said bar including a pair of rollers, each roller disposed to either side of the said vertical bar and being fixed into position thereat for shifting vertically upon the said bar.

21. The invention of claim 19 wherein said uprights and parallel vertically aligned bars are telescopically mounted within the said equipment for accommodating a reduction in their size as when not in use.

22. The invention of claim 19 and including frame means supporting the said arranged bars, said frame means being foldable to facilitate equipment storage as when not in use.

23. The invention of claim 22 wherein said frame means being roller mounted.

24. The invention of claim 22 wherein the uprights of each frame means clamps to the trampoline.

25. The invention of claim 19 wherein the locating of said bars is adjustable with respect to each upright to provide for their repositioning to adjust to the varying height of the user.

26. The invention of claim 18 and including a release means interconnecting between a bearing and each cable and when actuated disconnecting each cable from its attachment with the support.

27. The invention of claim 26 wherein said release means includes one of a solenoid and electromagnet.

28. A bearinged support being designed for use by the invalid to facilitate movement and comprising a structural member provided for embracing the invalid, said structural member being resilient in content, and having upper and lower edges, a series of keepers provided spacedly around the proximate upper and lower edges of said structural member, a pair of races, one of each race being held by the keepers associated with the upper and lower member edges, at least a pair of bearings operatively associated with the races of said support, each bearing comprising a pair of rotatable members, each pair of members being rotatable about a common axis and capable of simultaneously turning in opposite directions, a shaft having the members rotatably mounted thereon and providing the common axis about which the said members turn, bearing means arranged intermediate the rotatable members and their shaft to facilitate the turning of said members therearound, said structural member being separable to allow its installation upon the invalid, fastening means operatively associated with said member to secure its separate ends together as during usage, a track suspended above the area of movement, a pair of crossarms, said crossarms being spaced apart a fixed distance a beam securing to said crossarms and provided for spacing of the same apart the said fixed distance, said beam and crossarms being roller mounted upon the track for movement therealong, a series of cables, one end of each cable being operatively associated with the support bearings and extending angularly upwardly therefrom for connection with one of said crossarms and beam, whereby the said support is suspended approximately centrally of the said beam and crossarms combination for providing stability in the support of the retained invalid.

29. The invention of claim 28 and wherein said cables include rigid means within the reach of the invalid to furnish further stability for the user during application of said support.

30. The invention of claim 28 and including means provided for alternatively raising and lowering the support relative to the said track, said means including a moveable member connecting upon the said beam and capable of shifting along its length, said cables being connected with said member, whereby the shifting of said movable member in one direction along said beam provides for a raising of said cables and their associated support, and the shifting of said moveable member in the other direction providing for a lowering of said cables and their held support.

31. The invention of claim 30 and including said moveable member having a threaded connection with the beam, a turning of said beam furnishing the said directional shift for the said moveable member with respect to said beam.

32. The invention of claim 31 and including hand control means connecting to the said crossarms and beam combination and providing for controlling the shift of the moveable member with respect to its threadedly connecting beam.

33. A crossarm for use in conjunction with gymnastic equipment including a bearinged support suspended from a held track, said crossarm being roller mounted for movement along said track, a series of cables, one of each cable operatively associated with the equipment and capable of extension angularly away therefrom for connection with the crossarm, said crossarm extending laterally to either side of the track, said crossarm comprising a tubular member, a sheave rotatably mounted proximate each end of the tubular member, one of each cable extending from the support arranged around a sheave and extending further into and partially through the said tubular member, one of each spring means being disposed within each laterally extending portion of the tubular member of the crossarm, one of each cable extends through the spring means and secures to its inner disposed end, a pair of securing means, one of each securing means connecting at one end to the crossarm in the proximity of the held track, and extending at its other end also through the said spring means for attachment at its outer disposed end, whereby pressure exerted upon the said cables contracts the said spring means for adjustably varying the length of the said cables with respect to the distance between the crossarm and its suspended support.

34. The invention of claim 33 wherein said supported track includes a pair of web connected channels, at least a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the crossarm, one of each roller being disposed for riding upon one of said track channels.

35. The invention of claim 33 wherein said crossarm is cantilever suspended from a wall, frame means suspending the crossarm from the wall, said frame means capable of folding for disposition of the crossarm proximate the wall as when not in use.

36. The invention of claim 35 wherein said crossarm is pivotally connected to the track.