Jumping device

Abstract

A jumping device, such as a pogo stick, comprises a handle 3, a base platform 2, a pump 13 located within the base platform and an outlet 9 located on the handle. The jumping device further comprises

Description

The present invention relates to the field of toys and more specifically to toy jumping devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a jumping device, a kit of parts, and a method for producing a jumping device. Background to the Invention Toy jumping devices for amusement and exercise are well known and have been in use for a long time. More specifically, one of the more common toy jumping devices is a pogo stick. A traditional pogo stick generally comprises of a telescoping design that includes a tubular frame, from which a spring-actuated member extends downward and terminates in a tip. The lower end of the frame comprises footrests for a user to mount the pogo stick, where the jumping motion of a user compresses the internal spring by applying a downward force. The decompression of the spring propels the pogo stick up and the process is repeated to maintain a periodic bounce. An example of such a pogo stick is disclosed in US Patent Application Number US 2,712,443 A. An alternative type of pogo stick is disclosed in US Patent Application Number US 6,126,578 A. The pogo stick consists of a base platform, a flexible tether attached to the platform and a handle provided at the upper end of the tether. The base platform comprises a foot support surface, and the platform can alternate between compressed and decompressed states as a result of the jumping motion of a user. The wider base of the pogo stick makes it more stable and easier for a user to balance, while the flexible tether facilitates convenient storage of the pogo stick. The above described pogo sticks typically have only a single function for a user, i.e., the act of jumping on the pogo stick. Furthermore, conventional pogo sticks generally promote individual play, as they do not encourage interactive gameplay between two or more users. Over time this can result in the user losing interest in using such jumping devices. Summary of the Invention It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an alternative jumping device to those known in the art. It is a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a jumping device, a kit of parts, and a method for producing a jumping device that obviates or at least mitigates one or more of the aforesaid disadvantages of jumping devices known in the art. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a jumping device comprising: a compressible base platform; a pump located in the compressible base platform; a handle connected to the compressible base platform and comprising an outlet; and a first hose extending from the pump, wherein the first hose provides fluid communication between the pump and the outlet. The above features result in a jumping device which acquires additional functions during play when compared with similar jumping devices known in the art. In particular, when a user jumps on the compressive base platform the pump provides a fluid to the outlet, where the fluid can then be expelled through the outlet. As such, a user of the jumping device can aim the expelled outlet fluid in a desired direction by turning the handle while jumping on the compressive base platform. Additionally, the above features also result in a jumping device which allows for interactive gameplay, where two or more users of such a jumping device may target each other by suitably aiming the outlet during play. Preferably the first hose extends from the compressible base platform to the handle. Preferably the compressible base platform comprises a foam material. The compressible base platform may be any suitably flexible material which allows the base platform to elastically compress between a user’s foot and a rigid surface. Preferably the compressible base platform further comprises a non-return valve, wherein the non-return valve prevents the fluid from returning to the pump. Preferably the pump contains a pump valve, wherein the pump valve allows the pump to reinflate when the compressible base platform is uncompressed. Preferably the compressible base platform and the handle are connected by one or more tubes. Preferably the one or more tubes are made from silicon. Preferably the handle may comprise a container. Optionally, the compressible base platform may comprise a container. The container may contain a fluid, where the container further comprises an inlet for introduction of the fluid into the container. Preferably the fluid is a liquid, wherein the liquid is preferably water. Alternatively, the fluid may be a gas. Preferably the fluid only partially fills the container. The first end of the first hose may be connected to the pump, while the second end of the first hose may be connected to the outlet. In preferred embodiments, the second end of the first hose is located within the container and extends above the fluid within the container. Preferably the jumping device comprises a second hose connected to the outlet. Preferably the first end of the second hose is located within the container and is submerged in the fluid. The first and or second hose may further comprise one or more pressure release valves arranged to release the fluid from the hose when the pressure exceeds a particular threshold. Preferably the handle may further comprise a trigger assembly, wherein when the trigger assembly is activated the fluid is expelled from the outlet. Preferably the trigger assembly may comprise a trigger and optionally the trigger assembly may further comprise a trigger valve. Preferably the trigger assembly is located on the handle of the jumping device. The trigger advantageously allows the user to choose when they want to activate the outlet of the jumping device, i.e., it allows for the user to choose the time at which the fluid is expelled from the outlet of the jumping device. Preferably the outlet is pointed in the direction the user faces whilst using the jumping device, so that the fluid is expelled away from the user. The handle may further comprise two or more outlets. The two or more outlets may face in different directions, and or may be located at different heights on the handle. This advantageously allows for fluid to be expelled from a plurality of different outlets on the same jumping device. The fluid may be expelled from the two or more outlets simultaneously. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a compressible base platform, a pump, a handle, an outlet, and a first hose, where the kit of parts can be assembled into a jumping device according to the first aspect of the invention. Optionally, the kit of parts further comprises a second hose. The kit of parts may further comprise an inlet. Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a jumping device comprising; providing a compressible base platform; providing a pump located in the compressible base platform; providing a handle connected to the compressible base platform and comprising an outlet; providing a first hose extending from the pump, and arranging the first hose to provide fluid communication between the pump and the outlet. Optionally providing the first hose comprises extending the first hose from the compressible base platform to the handle. Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first and second aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa. Brief Description of the Drawings There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 presents a jumping device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 presents a cross sectional view of the jumping device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 presents a cross sectional view of a jumping device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 presents a cross sectional view of a jumping device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 presents a jumping device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 presents a cross sectional view of a jumping device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of embodiments of the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An explanation of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Referring firstly to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a jumping device, as generally depicted by the reference numeral 1, is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The jumping device 1 comprises a compressible base platform 2 and a handle 3, which are connected by a first tube 4 and a second tube 5. The jumping device 1 further comprises a first hose 6 which extends from the internal volume of the base platform 2 of the jumping device 1 into the internal volume of the handle 3. As will be appreciated by a reader skilled in the art, the compressible base platform 2 and the handle 3 of the jumping device 1 may be connected solely by the first hose 6, instead of the first 4 and second tubes 5. The compressible base platform 2 of the jumping device may be made from a foam material. Alternatively, the compressible base platform 2 can be made from any suitably flexible material which allows the compressible base platform 2 to elastically compress between a user’s foot and a rigid surface. In particular, the base surface 7 of the compressible base platform 2 provides foot support for the user. The first 4 and second tubes 5 that connect the compressible base platform 2 and the handle 3 may be made from a suitably flexible material. For the jumping device 1 depicted in Figure 1, the first 4 and second tubes 5 are made from silicon. As the first 4 and second tubes 5 are not rigid, they provide a means for convenient storage when the jumping device 1 is not in use i.e. they allow the jumping device 1 to be folded away. The handle 3 of the jumping device 1 further comprises an inlet 8 and an outlet 9 to the internal volume. The outlet 9 is located at the top centre of the handle 3, and hence may be between the position of a user’s hands when using the jumping device 1. The outlet 9 shown in Figure 1 and 2 is circular in shape, however it will be appreciated by the skilled person that an alternative design or shape may be chosen for the outlet 9. Preferably the outlet 9 is pointed in the direction the user faces whilst using the jumping device 1, so that the outlet fluid is expelled away from the user. The inlet 8 is provided on the edge of one side of the handle 3, but may alternatively be positioned at any suitable location on the handle 3. Similar to the outlet, any suitably alternative design or shape may also be chosen for the inlet 8. As shown in Figure 2, the handle 3 of the jumping device 1 further comprises a container 10. The container 10 of the handle 3 is partially filled with a fluid 11, where the fluid 11 depicted in Figure 2 is water. However, as will be appreciated by a reader skilled in the art the fluid may be a liquid other than water, and alternatively the fluid may be a gas. A user can provide the fluid 11 to the container 10, by removing the cap of the inlet 8. In Figure 2, the container 10 is only partially filled with a fluid 11. As a result, the second end of the first hose 6 extends above the fluid 11 within the internal volume of the handle 3. A first end of a second hose 12 is then submerged within the fluid 11 of the container 10 and a second end thereof is connected to the outlet 9. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that more than two hoses may be present within the jumping device. From Figure 2 it can be seen that the compressible base platform 2 of the jumping device 1 further comprises a pump 13 and a non-return valve 14. The pump 14 is in fluid communication with a first end of the first hose 6, and the non-return valve 14 is arranged after the pump 14 to ensure that the fluid supplied by pump 13 to the first hose 6 does not return to the pump 14. The pump 14 shown in Figure 2 is an air bulb pump. As a result, the fluid supplied by the pump 14 to the first hose 6 is air. However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an alternative type of pump 14 may be used. When using the jumping device 1, a user's foot (or feet) are placed on the base surface 7, while the user holds the handle 3. The user then pulls the handle 3 away from the compressible base platform 2 and begins a jumping motion so that the compressible base platform 2 alternates between uncompressed and compressed states. The energy provided during the transition of the compressible base platform 2 from an uncompressed state to a compressed state creates a force which assists the user during continued jumping. The jumping action of a user on the jumping device 1 acts to also operate the pump 14, providing airflow to the first end of the first hose 6. In particular, as the user jumps on the base surface 7, the base platform 2 compresses, squeezing the pump 14 to provide air flow to the first hose 6. The pump 14 further contains a pump valve 15 which allows the pump 14 to reinflate following compression. Therefore, as the user continues to jump, the pump 14 will continually compress and reinflate to provide repeated air flow to the first hose 6. In this way the second end of the first hose 6 provides air from the pump 14 into the unoccupied space of the container 10, thus creating pressure within the internal volume of the container 10. Therefore, when the jumping device 1 is in use, air from the pump 14 pressurises the container 10, resulting in a force that pushes the fluid 11 through the second hose 12 and hence out of the jumping device 1 via the outlet 9. A user on the jumping device 1 can turn the handle 3, whilst performing a jumping action, to spray the fluid 11 pushed through the outlet 9 in any preferred direction. As previously discussed, the first 4 and second tubes 5 may be made from a flexible material. As a result, this makes it easier for the user to turn the handle 3 and aim the outlet 9 in a desired direction. Figure 3 presents a cross sectional view of jumping device 16 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The jumping device 16 is similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, however the handle 3 of the jumping device 16 is shown to further comprise a trigger assembly 17. The trigger assembly 17 comprises a trigger 18 connected to a trigger valve 19. The trigger valve 19 is located on the second hose 12 and prevents fluid within the second hose 12 from being released through the outlet 9, until the trigger 18 is activated. When the trigger 18 is activated by the user, the trigger valve 19 opens, allowing any fluid within the second hose 12 to be released through the outlet 9. The benefit of a providing a trigger 18 on the handle 3 is that it permits a user to not only choose the direction in which the fluid is released from the outlet 9, but also the exact time at which the fluid is released. The trigger 18 is positioned on the handle 3 so that it is easily accessible by a user on the jumping device 16. As will be appreciated by a reader skilled in the art, the trigger 18 may be arranged in an alternative location on the handle 3 than that illustrated in Figure 3. The trigger 18 in Figure 3 is shown to be a lever. However, it will also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the trigger 18 could have any alternative design, such as a button. Figure 4 presents a jumping device 20 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The jumping device 20 comprises multiple outputs 9a, 9b, 9c on the handle 3 of the jumping device 20. The skilled person would understand that less or more outlets could be provided as desired and can be arranged at any suitable location on the jumping device 20, including the body of the container 10. The fluid may be expelled from multiple outlets 9a, 9b, 9c simultaneously. Furthermore, the fluid may be expelled in any direction, and the multiple outlets 9a, 9b, 9c may face in either the same or different directions. Figure 5 presents a cross sectional view of jumping device 21 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. While the jumping device 21 is similar to that described in Figures 1 and 2, the container 10 of the jumping device 21 is located in the compressible base platform 2, instead of the handle 3. Furthermore, the inlet 8 is also arranged on the compressible base platform 2 so fluid 11 can be provided to the container 10. As in the previous embodiments, the container 10 of the jumping device 21 is only partially filled with a fluid 11, so that the second end of the first hose 6 extends above the fluid 11, while the first end of the second hose 12 is submerged in the fluid 11. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the container 10 may be placed in any suitable area of the jumping device 21 and may comprise a first section located within the handle 3 and a second section located within the compressible base platform 2. Furthermore, the container 10 may be any appropriate shape or size. Furthermore, similar to the previous embodiments described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, a trigger assembly 17 and or multiple outlets 9 may be arranged on the jumping device 21. Figure 6 presents a cross sectional view of a jumping device 22 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6, the air from the pump 13 is in fluid communication with the first end of the first hose 6. However, in contrast to the previous embodiments, in Figure 6 the second end of the first hose 6 is connected to the outlet 9. The first hose 6 contains a pressure release valve 23 arranged close to the outlet 9. The purpose of the pressure release valve 23 is to prevent fluid in the first hose 6 from reaching the outlet 9 until the pressure within the first hose 6 exceeds a certain threshold. The jumping action of a user on the jumping device 22 acts to operate the pump 14, providing air flow to the first hose 6. Therefore, during continued jumping the pressure builds within the first hose 6, and once the pressure reaches a specific value the pressure release valve 23 opens, expelling the air within the first hose 6 through the outlet 9. Most preferably, the outlet 9 of the jumping device 22 could be loaded with a projectile, wherein when air reaches the outlet 9 it acts to fire the projectile, similar to the operation of a toy air gun. Similar to the embodiments described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, a trigger assembly 17 and or multiple outlets 9 may be arranged on the jumping device 22. While the second hose of the previous embodiments in Figures 1 to 5 is removed from the jumping device 22 of Figure 6, it would be appreciated by the skilled reader that two or more hoses may be present within the jumping device 22 and may be connected to the first hose 6. Furthermore, it will also be appreciated by the skilled person that more than one valve may be present within the one or more hoses. In summary, the present invention provides an alternative jumping device to those known in the art. In particular, the present invention provides a jumping device which provides multiple functions for the user. This includes the act of jumping on the device, in addition to aiming the outlet, and hence the expelled outlet fluid in any chosen direction. Furthermore, the above-described features also result in a jumping device that allows for interactive gameplay between two or more users. A jumping device 1 is disclosed. The jumping device 1 comprises a handle 3, a base platform 2, a pump 13 located within the base platform 2 and an outlet 9 located on the handle. The jumping device 1 further comprises a first hose 6, where the first hose 6 provides fluid communication between the pump 13 and the outlet 9. As a result, when the base platform 2, and hence the pump 3, are repeatedly compressed by a user jumping on the jumping device 1, a fluid 11 is expelled through the outlet 9 of the jumping device 1. Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the term “comprise” or “include”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “includes” or “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, reference to any prior art in the description should not be taken as an indication that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were first chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A jumping device comprising:a compressible base platform;a pump located in the compressible base platform;a handle connected to the compressible base platform and comprising an outlet;the handle or the compressible base platform comprising a container having an inlet to introduce water into the container;a first hose extending from the pump, anda second hose;wherein the first hose and the second hose provide fluid communication between the pump and the outlet.

2. A jumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first hose extends from the compressible base platform to the handle.

3. A jumping device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the compressible base platform further comprises a non-return valve, wherein the non-return valve prevents the fluid from returning to the pump.

4. A jumping device as claimed in in any of the preceding claims wherein the pump contains a pump valve, wherein the pump valve allows the pump to reinflate when the compressible base platform is uncompressed.

5. A jumping device as claimed in in any of the preceding claims wherein the compressible base platform and the handle are connected by one or more tubes.

6. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first end of the first hose is connected to the pump.

7. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the water partially fills the container.

8. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the second end of the first hose is located within the container and extends above the water.

9. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first end of the second hose is located within the container and is submerged in the water.

10. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the second end of the second hose is connected to the outlet.

11. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the second hose comprises one or more pressure release valves arranged to release the water from the hose when the pressure exceeds a particular threshold.

12. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the handle comprises a trigger assembly, wherein when the trigger assembly is activated the water is expelled from the outlet.

13. A jumping device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the trigger assembly comprises a trigger and a trigger valve.

14. A jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the jumping device comprises two or more outlets.

15. A jumping device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the water is expelled from the two or more outlets simultaneously.

16. A kit of parts that can be assembled to form a jumping device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the kit of parts comprising a compressible base platform, a pump, a handle, an outlet, a container, an inlet, a first hose and a second hose.

17. A method for producing a jumping device comprising:providing a compressible base platform;providing a pump located in the compressible base platform;providing a handle connected to the compressible base platform and comprising an outlet;providing a container in the handle or the compressible base platform having an inlet to introduce water into the container;1 providing a first hose extending from the pump and a second hose; and2 arranging the first hose and the second hose to provide fluid communication3 between the pump and the outlet.5 18. A method for producing a jumping device as claimed in claim 17, wherein providing6 the first hose comprises extending the first hose from the compressible base7 platform to the handle.

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