The Anti-Gravity Jumper

Intro: The Anti-Gravity Jumper

Remember those great baby contraptions, your parents would hook up to the door frame, and you'd bounce around for hours? Johnny jumpers! Well I made the big boy version today...it's johnny jumpers--all grown up. Ever want the feeling of being nearly weightless...or be able to have an extra long hang time? Read on...

STEP 1: What You'll Need

-two five gallon buckets (edit:was using five gallon buckets and found they aren't strong enough, a bucket like the red one we used is better)
-about 100 feet of rope
-a trampoline (optional)
-a harness of some sort (we have a deer stand harness we used)
-weights (like weightlifting weights)
-chain, or a little extra rope
-two pulleys

We had this rigged up in the barn before, both are fun, the barn you get more vertical action and less floaty feeling, over the trampoline it's more of a floaty feel. Both are plenty of fun you'l just have to see what works best for you.

STEP 2: Find a Spot

First things first, you'll need to find a good spot to build yours. Like I mentioned before I first built this in the barn, and it worked well, but then I wanted to try this version so I moved from the barn to woods. You'll need to find two trees with overhanging branches at least 4 inches in diameter. I've outlined where the tree branches are to give you an idea. Once you've done that keep on movin...

STEP 3: Set Up the Ladder and Attach the Pulleys

Now set your ladder up against the limb, closer to the tree is better, rather than way out on the limb. Then chain the pulley around the limb. After you've finished it on the first limb do it on the second. On the second limb I attached the pulley with rope, wrap it around the limb three or four times tie it, and attach the second pulley.

STEP 4: Thread the Rope Through the Pulleys

Now tie both ropes to their buckets, and thread the other end through the pulley. Do it to both buckets and both pulleys.

STEP 5: Move the Trampoline

If you plan on using a trampoline (which I recommend) underneath you move it now. Position it between the two pulley systems.

STEP 6: Tie on the Harness

Now pull all the rope through the pulley so that the bucket is about a foot away from the pulley. This gives you room to jump, and the buckets don't hit the ground. Do it to both sides tying it to the left and right shoulder straps of the harness.

STEP 7: Add Weights and Jump!

Now add equal weights to both buckets, this lightens you so you are nearly weightless. I weigh 110 and I use about 40-45 pounds in each side. You'll lose some of your weight over the pulley system, and if you equal your weight you'll end up jumping but not coming down. You'll just hang there! To run it you'll need somebody else to add the weights, don't try and do it yourself. It also works better to have the person who's jumping walk over closer to the bucket (this gives it some slack and the bucket will come down making it easier to reach. Jsyk the pictures we took jumping, me and my older bro held him up by the ropes, so don't be disappointed if you can't jump like our pictures. I have a video of it in action i'll work on getting it up later. Well have fun, and be safe building and playing with your Anti-Gravity Jumper!

Comments

[Dolphinjoshyb123]

What do you use for the harness

[burnerjack01]

I don't have trees convenient for this. I'd like to use 2 4X4 posts. Any advice as to how tall and how deep into the ground they should be?

[slalevee]

i have an idea for one with a bungee cord and a homeade harness hope it works

[ventifact]

Sorry to be a Grinch but I worry that a bucket handle will yank off and jerk the jumper sideways off the trampoline.

[machoturtle]

very good thought...actually that happened to the five gallon bucket, it didn't hurt anybody just gave em a good tug.

[Pfarmkid]

you could pour quick-crete in the bucket then once it sets drill an i-hook into the top so you don't have to worry about the handle

[omalachowski]

How 'bout just a duffel bag or other strong bag holding rocks? It's only 45-100 pounds, should be able to find something to hold it.

[machoturtle]

yep thats how i made my first version and it worked good!

[noahw]

This project is awesome!

ventifact - I share your concern, but it can be solved with a simple modification of the system - positioning the pulleys directly above the jumper would be safer so that at worst, you simply fall back down to the trampoline.

machoturtle - great idea and execution on this project. I used to love to Jolly Jumper as a kid, I will now make this as an adult. If only I was small enough to still do this in a doorway.

[machoturtle]

great post a pic if you get it made! i did realize the more vertical the ropes the better it helps the jumper go higher, just make sure the weighted buckets are far enough away from your head.

[Kayoken]

Better yet, buy the trampoline and dont add every spring to it allowing it to have a bit more give. Safer and less likely to throw you into a death spiral

[Exocetid]

I hate to be the old fart who throws cold water, but...

...use helmets.

...think of a better, possibly commercial harness. The kid in the picture probably has nothing to worry about at his age, but later that same harness may give a nasty pinch in a place that you do not want pinched.

...consider strengthening the bucket bail or adding a safety rope just in case it seperates.

[machoturtle]

yep good point

[hammer9876]

Makes me want to go get a trampoline. I'd have to use lead weights in the buckets, though. Congratulations on be Featured!

[machoturtle]

yeah lead weight is a good idea

[professor sparky]

I love the the anti-gravity jumper!! bigger the better I think. Surely the point is to have fun and excitement, if you enter a death spiral or the handle drops off, it would be even more exciting!!!!!!
keep up the good work!!

[codongolev]

this looks fantastic. I work for an inflatables company, and we have one of the commercial versions of this and it's a huge hit all the time. (granted, it's awful to run, because for safety reasons we have to adjust the bungee cord strength according to every individual's weight, which takes tons of time.)

[BtheBike]

i might add a helmet jic . very cool

[omalachowski]

Love it! We did something like this when we were kids, but to do it with the trampoline is inspired!

The simple version we did as kids is like a see-saw. One pulley, two kids of roughly the same size, each holds an end. Jump to catch the rope and send the other kid up. Watch your fingers near the pulley!

[sitearm]

@Machoturtle; Hi! Wanna wanna wanna see a video! Cheers : ) Site