Transparent performance apparatus

Abstract

A transparent performance apparatus allows a wide variety of acrobatic performances to be performed, while also providing an unobstructed view of a performer. The apparatus may comprise a circular transparent body having an opening therein. The body may be sized to accommodate at least the height of a performer such that the performer may position him or herself within the opening of the body. The transparency of the body allows an unobstructed view of the performer. An outer surface may be curved to allow the apparatus to be more easily moved on a stage or other surface. In addition, the inner surface formed by the opening may be curved to allow a performer to control the motion of the apparatus during a performance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transparent performance apparatus comprising:
 a transparent circular body having a centered opening therein;   a concave inner surface formed by the opening in the transparent circular body, the concave inner surface being curved laterally from a first side to a second side of the transparent circular body; and   a convex outer surface at the peripheral edge of the transparent circular body, the convex outer surface being curved laterally from the first side to the second side of the transparent circular body;   wherein the centered opening is large enough to accept a performer therein.   
     
     
         2 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface is polished smooth. 
     
     
         3 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface is polished smooth. 
     
     
         4 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more treads attached to the outer surface to provide fraction. 
     
     
         5 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more treads are attached at the first side and the second side of the transparent circular body. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent circular body is a solid structure formed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent circular body has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         8 . A transparent performance apparatus comprising:
 a closed circular band configured to accept a performer therein, the closed circular band consisting of a solid transparent material;   a first curved surface on the inside of the transparent ring; and   a second curved surface on the outside of the transparent ring;   wherein the closed circular band has a cross sectional width that is larger than its cross sectional thickness.   
     
     
         9 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first curved surface is a concave lateral curve. 
     
     
         10 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first curved surface is a convex lateral curve. 
     
     
         11 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second curved surface is a concave lateral curve. 
     
     
         12 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second curved surface is a convex lateral curve. 
     
     
         13 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second curved surface is polished smooth. 
     
     
         14 . The transparent performance apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a tread at a peripheral edge of the closed circular band. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a transparent performance apparatus comprising:
 bending a plurality of planar transparent sections into a first curve;   forming a second curve into the plurality of planar transparent sections, wherein the second curve is perpendicular to the first curve;   arranging the plurality of planar transparent sections such that their second curves are parallel; and   attaching the plurality of planar transparent sections together to form a closed band, wherein the second curve of the plurality of planar transparent sections extends laterally from a first side to a second side of the closed band.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising polishing an outside surface of the closed band to form a smooth outer surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising polishing an inside surface of the closed band to form a smooth inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising applying a tread at the outside surface of the closed band. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closed band has a circular shape. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second curves cause an outer periphery of the closed band to curve outward.