Power unit for jumping rope-with timer circuit

Abstract

An apparatus that moves a jumping element. The apparatus includes a motorized hub that is attached to a housing. The hub can rotate a jumping element, such as a jump rope, about a horizontal axis and/or a vertical axis. The hub is connected to a motor that is controlled by a timer. A player can select a time interval that establishes the activation time of the motor. The apparatus includes an indicator that may provide an indication of the time interval. The indicator may be an LED that indicates the numerical value of the time interval. The apparatus may also have an indicator that provides an indication of when the motor is to be activated, so that the player can be in position when the hub begins to rotate the rope.

1 . An apparatus that moves a jumping element, comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor attached to said housing;    a hub coupled to said motor and adapted to be coupled to the jumping element;    a timer coupled to said motor; and,    an indicator coupled to said timer.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator includes a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator includes a speaker.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said timer activates said motor for a selected time interval and said indicator indicates said selected time interval.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator generates an indication of when said motor is to be activated.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a crank arm that is coupled to said hub and the jumping element.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said hub includes a spring that exerts a force onto said crank arm.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said timer has a mechanical input.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said hub rotates the jumping element about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said hub rotates the jumping element about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus that moves a jumping element, comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor attached to said housing;    a hub coupled to said motor and adapted to be coupled to the jumping element;    a timer that is coupled to said motor; and,    indicator means for indicating a time characteristic of said timer.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said indicator means includes a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said indicator means includes a speaker.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said timer activates said motor for a selected time interval and said indicator characteristic is said time interval.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said indicator means generates an indication of when said motor is to be activated.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a crank arm that is coupled to said hub and the jumping element.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said hub includes a spring that exerts a force onto said crank arm.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said timer has a mechanical input.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said hub rotates the jumping element about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said hub rotates the jumping element about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       21 . A method for operating an apparatus that moves a jumping element, comprising: 
 activating an apparatus that includes a motor coupled to a jumping element;    indicating a count down until the motor is activated; and,    activating the motor to move the jumping element.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the motor is deactivated at an end of a selected time interval.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the indication is an auditory signal.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the jumping element is rotated about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the jumping element is rotated about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising detaching the jumping element from a hub coupled to the motor.  
   
   
       27 . A method for operating an apparatus that moves a jumping element, comprising: 
 selecting a time interval of a timer that is coupled to a motor, the motor being coupled to the jumping element;    indicating the time interval selected;    activating the motor to move the jumping element; and,    deactivating the motor at an end of the time interval.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the indication is an illuminated device.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the jumping element is rotated about a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the jumping element is rotated about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising detaching the jumping element from a hub coupled to the motor.