Light up bouncing and entertainment apparatuses

• US 20070042875A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flybar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: J.M. Originals, Inc.
• Inventors: Samore, Douglas, Jargowsky, Myrna, Arginsky, Irwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,448,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/77
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/05 Linearly-compressed elements A63B21/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 25/08 Hopping-sticks, e.g. pogo sticks ; Hopping apparatus with a single resilient support devices for balloon jumping A63B5/166
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pogo stick structure, more particularly, a pogo stick comprising a housing unit, foot support plate, piston, spring mechanism, and handlebars. The external portion of the housing unit includes a plurality of LED lights that light in accordance with the piston impinging the ground. LED lights displayed on the housing may be of different colors and may be arranged in a multitude of ways. Furthermore, the displayed LED lights may light in different patterns and at different times as a result of an electronic processing unit. A foam layer may cover the housing and protect the lights from accidental damage. The foam layer and lights may also be used with other entertainment devices such as stick horses.

Claims

1. A pogo stick apparatus, comprising:

a housing unit including a spring mechanism and having first and second ends;

a foot support member attached to the first end of the housing unit;

a piston coupled to the spring mechanism, the piston being operable to extend and retract relative to the first end of the housing unit;

a foam covering at least partly enclosing an exterior surface of the housing unit; and

a plurality of lights at least partly protected by the foam covering, the plurality of lights being operable to turn on and off during use of the pogo stick apparatus.

2. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handlebar attached to the second end of the housing unit, wherein the foam covering at least partly covers the handlebar.

3. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lights are motion activated.

4. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foam covering comprises a plurality of layers.

5. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 4, wherein a first one of the layers at least partly encloses the exterior surface of the housing unit, and a second one of the layers at least partly covers the first layer.

6. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 5, further comprising wiring electrically connecting the plurality of lights to a power supply, the wiring being at least partly disposed between the first and second layers of the foam covering.

7. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second layer of the foam covering has a scalloped pattern revealing portions of the first layer of the foam covering.

8. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the lights is protected by the first layer of foam covering and is revealed by the scalloped pattern.

9. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 1, further comprising control means coupled to the plurality of lights for managing operation of the plurality of lights.

10. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a speaker for producing sounds during use of the pogo stick apparatus, the speaker being coupled to the control means.

11. The pogo stick apparatus of claim 9, wherein the speaker is at least partly protected by the foam covering.

12. An entertainment apparatus, comprising:

a housing having an elongated shaft with first and second ends;

a foam layer at least partly covering an exterior surface of the housing; and

a plurality of lights at least partly protected by the foam layer, the plurality of lights being operable to turn on and off during use of the entertainment apparatus.

13. The entertainment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the entertainment apparatus is a stick horse having a horse head representation disposed at the first end of the shaft.

14. The entertainment apparatus of claim 13, wherein the foam layer comprises a plurality of foam layers.

15. The entertainment apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first one of the foam layers at least partly encloses the exterior surface of the housing, and a second one of the foam layers at least partly covers the first layer.

16. The entertainment apparatus of claim 15, further comprising wiring electrically connecting the lights to a power supply, the wiring being at least partly disposed between the first and second layers.

17. A pogo apparatus, comprising:

a housing including spring means, a first end, and a second end remote from the first end;

means for supporting a user'"'"'s feet, the support means being coupled to the first end of the housing;

a piston coupled to the spring means, the piston being operable to extend and retract relative to the first end of the housing;

a covering at least partly covering the housing between the first and second ends thereof; and

lighting means disposed along the housing between the first and second ends thereof, the lighting means being at least partly protected by the covering and being operable to turn on and off during use of the pogo stick apparatus.

18. The pogo apparatus of claim 17, wherein the covering comprises a plurality of foam layers.

19. The pogo apparatus of claim 18, wherein a first one of the foam layers covers at least part of the housing and a second one of the foam layers reveals portions of the first foam layer.

20. The pogo apparatus of claim 17, further comprising control means coupled to the lighting means for managing operation of the lighting means.