Jumping device

Abstract

A pogo stick-type jumping device includes a lower stanchion on which an upper frame is slidably mounted in a coaxial, generally telescoping relationship. A compression spring connects the upper frame to the lower stanchion and receives the energy required to lift the device off the ground during normal operation. A pair of spark mechanisms is fixedly coupled to the upper frame and is resiliently biased into continuous contact with the lower stanchion. Each spark mechanism includes a wheel assembly that rolls along a length of the lower stanchion and continuously engages a pair of internally-housed flints. Accordingly, in use, displacement of the upper frame relative to the lower stanchion causes the wheel assembly for each spark mechanism to frictionally contact the pair of corresponding flints in such a manner so as to produce an externally visible spark condition that has a visual and/or auditory aesthetic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jumping device, comprising:
 (a) a lower stanchion having an upper end and a lower end;   (b) an upper frame slidably mounted on the lower stanchion;   (c) a compression spring coupling the lower stanchion to the upper frame; and   (d) a first spark mechanism adapted to create a spark condition as the upper frame slidably moves relative to the lower stanchion.   
     
     
         2 . The jumping device of  claim 1  wherein the upper frame is slidably mounted on the lower stanchion in a coaxial, telescoping relationship. 
     
     
         3 . The jumping device of  claim 2  wherein the compression spring has a first end connected to the lower stanchion and a second end connected to the upper frame. 
     
     
         4 . The jumping device of  claim 3  wherein the lower stanchion includes an elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The jumping device of  claim 4  wherein the upper frame comprises a footplate shaped to define a central bore which is dimensioned to fittingly receive the tubular member of the lower stanchion. 
     
     
         6 . The jumping device of  claim 5  wherein the compression spring is axially mounted over the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The jumping device of  claim 1  wherein the spark mechanism is adapted to create a spark condition that provides at least one of a visual and auditory aesthetic. 
     
     
         8 . The jumping device of  claim 1  further comprising a second spark mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The jumping device of  claim 1  wherein the spark mechanism is fixedly mounted on the upper frame. 
     
     
         10 . The jumping device of  claim 9  wherein the spark mechanism is adapted to travel along the lower stanchion. 
     
     
         11 . The jumping device of  claim 10  wherein the spark mechanism is adapted to create the spark condition when traveling along the lower stanchion. 
     
     
         12 . The jumping device of  claim 11  wherein the spark mechanism is maintained in continuous contact with the lower stanchion. 
     
     
         13 . The jumping device of  claim 12  wherein the spark mechanism comprises:
 (a) a base fixedly secured to the upper frame; 
 (b) a piston slidably coupled to the base; and 
 (c) a spring for resiliently urging the piston away from the base such that the piston is maintained in continuous contact against the lower stanchion. 
 
     
     
         14 . The jumping device of  claim 13  wherein movement of the piston along the lower stanchion creates the spark condition. 
     
     
         15 . The jumping device of  claim 14  wherein the piston for the spark mechanism comprises:
 (a) an outer housing shaped to define a first bore; 
 (b) a wheel assembly rotably coupled to the outer housing, the wheel assembly being maintained in continuous contact with the lower stanchion; 
 (c) a first flint slidably disposed within the first bore in the outer housing; and 
 (d) a first spring for resiliently urging the first flint into continuous contact against the wheel assembly. 
 
     
     
         16 . The jumping device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the wheel assembly comprises a rotor that is rotably coupled to the outer housing by a pivot pin. 
     
     
         17 . The jumping device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the wheel assembly includes a plurality of ratchet shaped teeth that are adapted to frictionally engage the first flint to create the spark condition. 
     
     
         18 . The jumping device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the plurality of ratchet shaped teeth are formed onto a wheel which is axially mounted onto the rotor. 
     
     
         19 . The jumping device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the wheel assembly includes a sleeve mounted over the rotor, the sleeve being maintained in continuous frictional contact with the lower stanchion.