Glider

Abstract

A glider that produces a gliding motion using a plurality of cooperating components. The glider may include a seat for receiving one or more users and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat including the weight of the one or more users on the seat. One or more wheel members may be provided and connected to the frame. The apparatus may further include a base surface that is engaged by the wheels. The base surface and the wheels may have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predefined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force. The frame transmits the gliding motion to the one or more users in the seat. The glider can also have a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to a central position in its movement range once a movement force has been stopped.

1 . A glider comprising: 
 a seat and a frame connected to the seat for supporting the seat;    at least one wheel member connected to the frame; and    a base surface that is engaged by the wheels, wherein the base surface and the wheels have generally corresponding configurations so as to produce a back and forth gliding motion within a predefined movement range as the wheels roll on the base surface when the glider is subject to a movement force.    
     
     
         2 . The glider of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism that ensures that the glider returns to a central position in its movement range once the movement force has been removed.  
     
     
         3 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the base surface includes at least one curved track.  
     
     
         4 . The glider of  claim 3 , wherein the curved track is lower at the central position of the movement range of the glider than at ends of the track.  
     
     
         5 . The glider of  claim 3 , wherein the curved track is in a shape of an arc that is a portion of an elliptical, circular, parabolic or hyperbolic curve.  
     
     
         6 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the base surface includes at least one straight track.  
     
     
         7 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the wheels have a rolling surface comprising a non-circular curved shape.  
     
     
         8 . The glider of  claim 7 , wherein the curved shape of the wheels includes an arc that is a portion of an elliptical, parabolic or hyperbolic curve.  
     
     
         9 . The glider of  claim 1 , further comprising means to provide the movement force to at least two wheel members, one located on either side of the glider.  
     
     
         10 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the glider includes at least two wheels on opposite sides of the base surface and further comprising at least one connecting rod connecting the at least two wheels.  
     
     
         11 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for returning the glider to a central position includes a gear mechanism.  
     
     
         12 . The glider of  claim 11 , wherein the gear mechanism includes a cycle switch to cut off power to the glider from a power source.  
     
     
         13 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for returning the glider to a central position includes a self-centering linkage.  
     
     
         14 . The glider of  claim 13 , wherein the self-centering linkage comprises a centering spring.  
     
     
         15 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein the movement force is provided by a motor.  
     
     
         16 . The glider of  claim 15 , wherein the movement force may be supplied by the motor when the motor is switched on and may be supplied manually by a user when the motor is switched off.  
     
     
         17 . The glider of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a bouncing and a vibratory motion is imparted to the seat at the same time as the gliding motion is imparted.