Poweriser
Encyclopedia
The act of powerbocking is jumping and running with elastic-like spring
-loaded stilts
. For some it is an extreme sport
, for others it is a form of exercise or even a means of artistic expression. The use of the stilts to perform extreme jumping, running and acrobatics is known as 'Bocking' or 'PowerBocking' after the inventor. The stilts themselves are often referred to generically as bocks or powerbocks, or by their brand name.
Each boot consists of a foot-plate with snowboard
type bindings, rubber foot pad which is also commonly called a hoof, and a fibreglass leaf spring
. Using only their weight, and few movements, the user is generally able to jump
3–5 ft (1–1.5 metres) off the ground and run
up to 20 mph (32 km/h). They also give the ability to take up to 9-foot (2.7 metres) strides.
Jumping stilts were used in the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.
There are 6 widely known brands (although the Chinese brands make their products under several different names in order to circumvent the exclusivity given to an importer of one of their brands):
, the "Blade Runner".
Moon shoes
and Kangoo jumps
are earlier attempts at jumping shoes using a different technique. Some are still popular today.
Similar devices are attached to the protagonist's feet in the Portal series.
Spring (device)
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication...
-loaded stilts
Stilts
Stilts are poles, posts or pillars used to allow a person or structure to stand at a distance above the ground. Walking stilts are poles equipped with steps for the feet to stand on, or straps to attach them to the legs, for the purpose of walking while elevated above a normal height...
. For some it is an extreme sport
Extreme sport
An extreme sport is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger...
, for others it is a form of exercise or even a means of artistic expression. The use of the stilts to perform extreme jumping, running and acrobatics is known as 'Bocking' or 'PowerBocking' after the inventor. The stilts themselves are often referred to generically as bocks or powerbocks, or by their brand name.
Each boot consists of a foot-plate with snowboard
Snowboard
Snowboards are boards, usually with a width the length of one's foot, with the ability to glide on snow. Snowboards are differentiated from monoskis by the stance of the user...
type bindings, rubber foot pad which is also commonly called a hoof, and a fibreglass leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
. Using only their weight, and few movements, the user is generally able to jump
Jumping
Jumping or leaping is a form of locomotion or movement in which an organism or non-living mechanical system propels itself through the air along a ballistic trajectory...
3–5 ft (1–1.5 metres) off the ground and run
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
up to 20 mph (32 km/h). They also give the ability to take up to 9-foot (2.7 metres) strides.
Jumping stilts were used in the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.
Brands
They were originally patented by Alexander Böck, from Germany (European Patent EP 1 196 220 B1 on July 2, 2003, US Patent No. 6,719,671 B1 on April 13, 2004, both with a priority date of July 20, 1999), as Powerskip. Generically these are referred to as "power stilts", "jumping stilts", or "spring stilts". Amongst hobbyists, they are referred to as powerbocks, ("bocks" for short), in honor of the inventor. In the Southern hemisphere, they are referred to as Kangaroo Boots because of their resemblance to the legs of the animal. Many people also use common brand names to refer to them genericallyThere are 6 widely known brands (although the Chinese brands make their products under several different names in order to circumvent the exclusivity given to an importer of one of their brands):
- Powerskip: Originals considered a brand for professional and serious enthusiast use, costing in excess of US$1000+. Very high quality.
- Velocity Stilts: Powerskips that have been modified with different bindings and stripped down to minimize weight, and resold by Stiltwerks, Inc. Velocity Stilts occasionally retain the Powerskip logo on some parts.
- Poweriser: Produced by a KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n company, but actually manufactured in PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
to lower cost. High quality and medium price-range. Known for its aluminium & black style jumping stilts. - 7 League Boots: Produced by an AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n company. High quality, long durability, and safest of the non-pro brands. Characterized by their yellow springs. - Flying Locust: Also known as: Air-Trekkers, Fly Jumpers, Pro Jump, Jolly Jumper, MadHop, and PowerStriders (called PoweriZers prior to settlement of a trademark dispute with PoweriSerPoweriserThe act of powerbocking is jumping and running with elastic-like spring-loaded stilts. For some it is an extreme sport, for others it is a form of exercise or even a means of artistic expression. The use of the stilts to perform extreme jumping, running and acrobatics is known as 'Bocking' or...
-brand). They are all produced by the same company in ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Medium quality and low price-range. - Skyrunner: Also known as: Moon Jumper, Sky Jumper, and Powerskip (counterfeit version)': are a low price Chinese brand with average-low quality parts. These are illegal for sale in USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy (being the countries covered by the patent).
See also
Though similar in appearance, powerbocking is not to be confused with the use of prosthetic devices such as those used by paralympic runner Oscar PistoriusOscar Pistorius
Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a South African sprint runner. Known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs", Pistorius, who has a double amputation, is the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events and runs with the aid of Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial...
, the "Blade Runner".
Moon shoes
Moon shoes
Moon shoes were shoes for children fitted with trampoline-like springs. They were billed as "mini-trampolines for your feet". They were part of a merchandising effort by Nickelodeon....
and Kangoo jumps
Kangoo Jumps
Kangoo Jumps are a type of spring-loaded footwear.Prototypes for springed boots were developed in the 20th century in Eastern Europe. The original purpose for the invention was as a recreation device for athletes recovering from leg injuries...
are earlier attempts at jumping shoes using a different technique. Some are still popular today.
Similar devices are attached to the protagonist's feet in the Portal series.
External links
- PowerBocking.EU: Powerbocking stilts manufacturers, lessons, history etc.
- DoesWhat Powerizers Pro Jump Video
- Google Patent for the original PowerSkip, by Alexander Boeck
- Image of Man Powerbocking on BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- w3BBO Bockipedia - The Bocking Encyclopedia
- Welsh Bockers - Jumping stilts club based in Cardiff, UK
