MOVING PORTABLE DANCE FLOOR FOR CLASSROOM

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/301,021 filed on Jun. 10, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a portable, moving dance floor. In particular, the present invention relates to a single direction continuous moving dance floor providing room and safety for spinning dance steps as well as portability and ease of storage.

[0005] Description of Related Art

[0006] The need for flooring surfaces suitable for amateur, professional and semi-professional dance is well known. Because people prefer particular types of dance surfaces when dancing, portable dance floors of all types have been patented. These include interlocking panels, raised flooring systems, cushioned systems, vibrating systems and the like. One particular issue is the size of the flooring system. Dance can cover a lot of ground, for example, in a large theater and creating a large space to either perform or rehearse requires a space equal to the distance covered by the dance and/or equal to the area being rehearsed for. This requires a large rehearsal space. The larger the number of people rehearsing the more challenging having enough space becomes.

[0007] While moving sidewalk, treadmill and staircase type devices have been developed for exercise and for the transportation of an individual, it's clear that these do not provide the kind of lateral and backward space and safety necessary for a dancer who is moving in more than just a forward direction such is the case in a dance number or an exercise type of dance movement where the dancer is spinning backwards and forward repetitively. While there are devices that are wide, they operate in multiple directions, not a unitary direction, and they have need of width not normal for unitary direction devices (i.e. they have two lengths). There is certainly nothing of a portable nature to accomplish such objectives.

[0008] The present invention relates to a portable dance floor at least 7 ft. long and 3 ft. wide with unitary direction moving front to back floor that allows a dancer to do spins, forward and backward movements while dancing in a back to forward motion. The device folds up for upright storage.

[0009] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to a portable, unitary direction moving dance floor comprising:

• • [0010] a) a rectangular dance floor frame having a front, back, left and right sides, which is used at a desired location and can be moved from place to place for storage;
  • [0011] b) an endless unitary direction movable dance surface mounted on the stationary frame wherein a top surface of the dance floor surface has a movement consisting of moving in a unitary direction between the front of the frame position to the back of the frame position using a treadmill type continuous belt material mounted on rollers that is positioned to move only from the front to the back of the frame and has a minimum usable surface of 7 ft. long and 3 ft. wide such that a user positioned on the top surface of the movable dance surface can move around on the top surface and do spin moves;
  • [0012] c) a motor assembly for moving the endless dance surface; and
  • [0013] d) a plurality of handles on a front fence that can be removed, retracted, or swung out of the way of a dancer using the dance floor when necessary.

[0014] In another embodiment, it consists of a method of doing dance comprising:

• • [0015] a. selecting a portable, unitary direction moving dance floor, the dance floor comprising;
    • [0016] i. a rectangular dance floor frame having a front, back, left and right sides, which is used at a desired location and can be moved from place to place for storage;
    • [0017] ii. an endless unitary direction movable dance surface mounted on the stationary frame, wherein a top surface of the dance floor surface has a movement consisting of moving in a unitary direction between the front of the frame position to the back of the frame position using a treadmill type continuous belt material mounted on rollers that is positioned to move only from the front to the back of the frame and has a minimum usable surface of 7 ft. long and 3 ft. wide such that a user positioned on the top surface of the movable dance surface can move around on top of the surface and do spin moves;
    • [0018] iii. a motor assembly for moving the endless dance surface; and
    • [0019] iv. a plurality of handles on a front fence that can be removed, retracted, or swing out of the way of a dancer using the dance floor when necessary; and
  • [0020] b. the dancer doing 180 degree and 360 degree spins while the dance floor is moving from the front to the back of the frame; and
  • [0021] c. the portable dance floor folded up and stored upright.

[0026] While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

[0027] The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.

[0028] The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

[0029] The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

[0030] Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0031] The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

[0032] The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

[0033] As used herein the term “portable dance floor” refers to a device, machine or the like that can be relatively easily moved from one position to another. This as opposed to being fixed to the floor or weighing enough that it takes a number of people to move it from one place or another. A portable dance floor can then be used at a desired location, usually by one person, such as at home or at an exercise location in the middle of the floor, and be put away in a closet or other out of the way location, so the space can be utilized for something else. The design of the present invention lends itself to such portability. The portability of devices in the exercise industry is well known with such devices as climbing machines, running machines, devices to simulate cross country skiing, weight machines and the like. The portable dance floor will also have a “frame” having a front, back, left and right sides designed to hold the dance surface of the portable dance floor. In one embodiment, the device is foldable and multiple units are stackable on top of one another. The frame can fold down, as shown and the whole device stored upright, as seen in the drawings. One can pick up, in one embodiment, the device by the bar at one end and move it, and then use the bar to stand the device upright. In one embodiment, the folding is assisted by a hydraulic lowering mechanism.

[0034] As used herein the term “endless movable dance surface” refers to a surface mounted on the dance floor frame that moves in a unitary direction, from the front to the back, in a manner that allows the dancer to dance forward, run, walk, etc. and stay in place. Typically, a continuous belt material mounted on rollers would come under the definition of endless movable dance surface. The surface can be motorized or non-motorized. Treadmill type rollers work the same way, however are too narrow and short for use by a dancer. This device can be remote controlled or have controls mounted on the device.

[0035] As used herein, the term “minimum usable surface” refers to the length and width the dancer can step left, right, forward and back during use of the device. Because a dancer will do 180° to 360° spins while moving forward, back, left and right on the unitary direction moveable dance floor, there must be a different surface area than is normally available on a unitary direction device like a treadmill. Typical running treadmills are too small e.g., they are 2 ft. by 5 ft. (i.e. this is the usable surface area at any given moment, even if the tread itself is longer on the loop it forms). In order to be large enough for dancing, the usable surface must be at lease 7 ft. long and 3 ft. wide. In other embodiments the length is 8, 9, 10 ft. or more. In other embodiments the width is 4, 5, 6, 7 ft. or more. In one embodiment, the surface is a rectangular surface, e.g. 7 ft. by 7 ft. In one embodiment, the surface covers the entire surface of the dance frame (lateral surface with no edges showing laterally.) In one embodiment, the dance floor is mounted as low to the floor as possible. In one embodiment it is set in a trough such that the dance floor is even with the surface of the floor.

[0036] As used herein the term “motor assembly” and “motorized” refers to the fact that the endless movable dance surface must be powered by an electrical or other motor in order to keep the movement going. One skilled in the art can build a motor to use to power the surface.

[0037] As used herein, the term “safety devices” refers to devices that are placed at the front, rear, left or right side of the frame to prevent the user from falling off or to cushion the user, should the user fall off the device during use. They can be solid, cushions, or any material; they can be attached, or separate, and in one embodiment, they can fold out from the sides or back. Railings, for example, can be utilized to keep a dancer on the device and cushions (inflatable or padded) can be positioned strategically in case of a fall, especially from the sides or the back of the device onto the floor. In one embodiment, they are placed on the floor next to the device. There can be a rubberized surface where desired as well. Because a dancer is spinning, a fall off the sides or back is more likely than on a running treadmill.

[0038] As used herein, the term “dance mirror” refers to a mirror of a size and shape to allow a dancer to watch their entire body while performing dance moves on the movable dance floor. Running and walking forward are not considered dance moves by themselves and require upper body and or spinning movements to be considered dance. As used herein, “front fence” refers to an upright frame that can hold handles, information, and electronics, and fold and lean against the wall when not in use, as shown in the figures.

[0039] As used herein, the term “retractable handles” refers to handles that can be removed, pulled, or swung into place when necessary, or can be moved out of the way when desired. The handles can be straight or curved.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “dancer” and “dancing” refers to an individual using the endless movable dance surface that would be doing 180° and 360° spin moves, such that the dancer, at some point, will be facing the front of the frame and, at other times, facing the back, left, and right sides of the frame, while the dance floor surface top moves in a unitary direction. Arm dance movements are also included in the term “dancing” and, in this case, it is a combination of exercise due to the nature of the continuous movable dance floor and the dance moves utilized by the dancer.

[0041] Now referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a portable dance floor of the present invention. Portable dance floor 1 consists of a frame 2. Frame 2 has front 3, back 4, left 5 and right 6 sides. Mounted on the frame 2 is endless unitary direction movable dance surface 7 which is a unitary direction endless front to back loop surface having minimum dimensions of 7 ft. in length, shown as line 8, and 3 ft. in width, shown as line 9 which can be motorized or not. Also shown in this view is floor cushion 10, which can surround the entire frame 2, but a piece is shown for clarity sake. Fencing in the front 11 prevents falling off the front 3. The fencing is height adjustable 22 and pressing release button 20a allows the fence 11 to fold down on the dance floor 7. It also has retractable or swingable handles 12 (which can be straight or curved and can retract by methods known in the art). A rubber coating is shown on a portion of the device. A remote control for operating a motorized device is shown but controls could be built into the device. Support 23 can be a bar, as shown, or a foot, or the like, and can fold out of the way up into the floor (bottom of device). The support 23 can be used to lift one end and use wheels 24 to move the device 1 to upright storage. In one embodiment, there is a remote control 13 for use with the dance floor 1.

[0042] In FIG. 2 there is shown a side view folding version for the device of FIG. 1. In this view, hinge 20 allows with release button 20a front fence 11 to fold towards 21 down to frame 2. Front fence 11 is shown as height adjustable utilizing buttons 22. In this embodiment, the support 23 (one shown) folds up into frame 2 for compactness and wheels 24 allow the device to be moved without picking it up. Other accessories include a foldable tray 25, straight bars that are retractable, removable, or foldable (mechanism within the skill in the art) to aid in folding or otherwise getting them out of the way of the user, and frame top handle 26.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the device of FIG. 2 folded up for portable movement with tray 25 and handles 12 removed.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows two dance floor devices stacked upright (i.e. standing up) on the floor 40, leaning against wall 41.

[0045] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the Applicant.