Turning uplift apparatus

Abstract

A turning uplift apparatus is provided which enables the user to utilize the device as a piece of playground or backyard play equipment commonly known as a see-saw. The apparatus includes a frame structure means, a user support means, and a user engagement means. The user support means pivotally mounts to the frame structure means, while the user engagement means pivotally mounts to the user support means. The apparatus is different from the more conventional see-saw apparatuses in that the upward and downward pivoting motion of the user is produced by rocking the user engagement means forward and backward, not by pushing against the ground with the feet of the user. The apparatus may be configured so that rocking the user engagement means backward and forward may produces different seat movement, including rotation about the base of the frame structure means. The apparatus may also take the form of a single user see-saw and/or exercise machine, with an optional weight support member for weighing down one side.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A turning uplift apparatus comprising: 
 a frame structure means having a curved member mounted thereon;    a user support means pivotally mounted to said frame structure means;    a user engagement means pivotally mounted to said user support means; said user engagement means having a connection member operatively engaging said curved member of said frame structure means, said connection member operatively engaging said curved member by moving along at least a portion of its curved surface; whereby    pivoting said user engagement means in the forward and backward directions produces upward and downward pivoting motion in said user support means.    
     
     
         2 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , said frame structure means further comprising: 
 a base;    at least one support member extending generally upward from said base, said curved member being rotatably mounted to said support member.    
     
     
         3 . The turninig uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , said curved member being a wheel.  
     
     
         4 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , said user support means further comprising: 
 at least one generally horizontal lever member, said lever member being pivotally mounted to said support member of said frame structure means;    at least one seat member mounted on one end of said lever member.    
     
     
         5 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , said user engagement means comprising: 
 at least two rocker members pivotally mounted to said lever member of said user support means, said rocker members being pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said lever members;    at least one upper engagement member mounted near the top of one of said rocker members;    said connection member pivotally connecting said rocker members so that said rocker members remain generally parallel to one another, said connection member operatively engaging said curved member of said frame structure means; whereby    moving said connection member backward and forward against said curved member of said frame structure means produces upward and downward movement of said lever member of said user support means.    
     
     
         6 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , said user engagement means further comprising at least one lower engagement member mounted near the bottom of one of said rocker members.  
     
     
         7 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a weight support assembly mounted on one end of said lever member.  
     
     
         8 . The turning uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  further compring a second genrrally horizontal lever member pivotally mounted on said support member of said frame structure means; said seat pivotally mounted to both lever members such that said lever member remain parallel to one another, and said seat maintains a generally horizontal position as said lever members pivot.  
     
     
         9 . The turning apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  further compring a rotatable member operatively connected to said lever member, said rotatable member making motion of said apparatus smoother.  
     
     
         10 . The turning apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , said rotatable member being a flywheel.  
     
     
         11 . The turning apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , said support member being turnable mounted to said base, said rotatable member being used to produce turning motion in said support member about said base.  
     
     
         12 . The turing apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , said support member being turnably mounted to said base, said rotatable member being in rolling contact with said base for producing turning motion in said support member around said base.