Piston configurations for pneumatic pogo stick

Abstract

A pneumatic pogo stick is provided that utilizes compressed air like a spring to have a potentially higher power to weight ratio than a comparable coil spring pogo stick. The pneumatic pogo stick includes an elongate cylindrical housing which forms a cylinder. Improvements are also provided to the piston and air shaft that allow for reduced hammering and a lower maximum compression ratio in order to provide relatively smooth jumping and landing while propelling a user to greater heights. Examples of such improvements include a hollow air shaft and modifications to the shape and structure of the piston.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pogo stick comprising:
 a housing;   a piston disposed within the housing, such that there is a space between the piston and the housing; and   a sliding shaft at least partially disposed within the housing, said sliding shaft connected to the piston;   wherein the piston comprises an upper surface with a concave shape.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston is threadably connected to the sliding shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises at least one structural support extending in an upward direction from the piston. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston further comprises a support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston further comprises a support structure, wherein the support structure comprises:
 at least one annular support member; and   at least one structural support extending in an upward direction.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises an annular groove on an outside surface of the piston. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a gasket or seal is disposed within the annular groove on the outside surface of the piston. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a gasket or seal is disposed within the outer surface of the piston at a top portion of the piston. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a gasket or seal is disposed within the outer surface of the piston at a bottom portion of the piston. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises any of: plastic, PVC, nylon, PTFE, or other similar material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 :
 wherein the sliding shaft is configured to slide into and out of the housing;   wherein the space between the piston and housing is configured to automatically contract or expand as the sliding shaft slides in and out of the housing; and   wherein the pogo stick further comprises a compression ratio that is determined from dividing a volume of the space between the piston and housing when it is fully expanded by a volume of the space between the piston and housing when it is fully contracted.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said the compression ratio is between approximately 2.0 and 10.0. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the compression ratio is between approximately 2.0 and 5.0. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the compression ratio is between approximately 2.5 and 4.5. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the compression ratio is approximately 3.5. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of: a bumper, a spacer, a bounce pad, at least one handle, at least one foot rest. 
     
     
         17 . A pogo stick comprising:
 a housing;   a piston disposed within the housing, such that there is a space between the piston and the housing; and   a sliding shaft at least partially disposed within the housing, said sliding shaft connected to the piston;   wherein the sliding shaft comprises a hollow section that is in fluid communication with the space between the piston and the housing.   
     
     
         18 . A pogo stick comprising:
 a housing;   a piston disposed within the housing, such that there is a space between the piston and the housing; and   a sliding shaft at least partially disposed within the housing, said sliding shaft connected to the piston;   wherein the piston comprises an upper surface with a concave shape; and   wherein the sliding shaft comprises a hollow section that is in fluid communication with the space between the piston and the housing.