This invention concerns exercise devices, in particular, hoop devices.
Exercise activities involving hoops, such as the once ubiquitous “hula hoop” incorporate an element of fun into the regimen and thereby provide greater incentive to exercise regularly and to good effect. It is advantageous for the hoops to be easily portable, as a hoop of relatively large diameter is bulky and difficult to transport. To this end, modern exercise hoops may be readily assembled for use and disassembled into a plurality of short segments that fit in a small carrying case.
However, prior art exercise hoops, both unitary and mufti-piece designs, suffer from a lack of robustness. They kink easily when subjected to even modest point loads and go “out of round”, at which point they are substantially useless for serious exercise. There is clearly a need for an exercise hoop that breaks down into combines the portability of a multi-segment design with the necessary robustness to withstand hard use.
The invention concerns an exercise hoop. In one example embodiment the exercise hoop comprises a plurality of arcuate segments joined to one another end to end to form a closed loop. In a particular example embodiment, at least one of the arcuate segments comprises a base comprising a male fitting at one end and a female fitting at an opposite end. A sidewall extends between and connects the fittings to one another. The sidewall partially surrounds and defines a central space and a lengthwise extending centerline. A plurality of first bulkheads are positioned within the central space. The first bulkheads are positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along the base. The first bulkheads are attached to the sidewall. A cover is removably mounted on the base and encloses the central space.
In a specific example embodiment, the sidewall has a convex surface facing away from the central space and a concave surface facing the central space. Further by way of example, the cover comprises an arcuate shell having a concave surface and a convex surface oppositely disposed.
In a further example, the cover comprises a plurality of second bulkheads attached to the concave surface. The second bulkheads are positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along the cover in this example.
By way of example, at least one of the first bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section. In a further example, at least one of the first bulkheads is oriented transversely to the centerline. For example, at least one of the first bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to the centerline.
Further by way of example, at least one of the second bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section. In a further example, at least one of the second bulkheads is oriented transversely to the centerline. For example, at least one of the second bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to the centerline.
In a specific example embodiment, the male fitting has a polygonal cross sectional shape. Similarly by way of example, the female fitting has a polygonal interior shape for receiving the male fitting. In a particular example embodiment, the male fitting has a hexagonal cross sectional shape. Further by way of example, the female fitting has a hexagonal interior shape for receiving the male fitting.
An example hoop embodiment further comprises a projection positioned on the male fitting and projecting outwardly away from the central space. The projection is movable toward and away from the central space. A spring acts between the male fitting and the projection and biases the projection outwardly away from the central space.
In another example embodiment, the male fitting defines a bore surrounding the central space. In this example embodiment, the exercise hoop further comprises an end cap covering an end of the male fitting. The end cap has a boss projecting transversely thereto and into the central space. The boss is engageable with the projection when the projection moves toward the central space for limiting motion thereof.
In one example embodiment, the exercise hoop further comprises a stirrup mounted on the base within the central space. A deflector body is mounted on the base adjacent to the stirrup. A flexible leg is mounted on the cover. The leg has a foot extending transversely therefrom. Upon mounting of the cover onto the base the leg engages the deflector body and is moved toward the stirrup, the foot thereby engaging the stirrup and holding the cover in engagement with the base.
In another example embodiment, the exercise hoop further comprises a stirrup mounted on the cover. A deflector body is mounted on the cover adjacent to the stirrup. A flexible leg is mounted on the base within the central space. The leg has a foot extending transversely therefrom. Upon mounting of the cover onto the base the leg engages the deflector body and is moved toward the stirrup, the foot thereby engaging the stirrup and holding the cover in engagement with the base.
In yet another example embodiment, the exercise hoop further comprises a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced relation on the base within the central space. A deflector body is mounted on the base between the stirrups. A pair of flexible legs is mounted in spaced relation on the cover. Each of the legs has a foot extending transversely therefrom. Upon mounting of the cover onto the base the legs engage the deflector body and are moved away from one another toward the stirrups, the feet thereby respectively engage the stirrups and hold the cover in engagement with the base. In a particular example of this embodiment, each of the stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving the foot, the stirrup plates being oriented transversely to the centerline. Further in this embodiment, each of the legs comprises a leg plate, the leg plates being oriented transversely to the centerline. In this example, the deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to the stirrup plates.
In another example embodiment of the exercise hoop further comprises a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced apart relation on the cover. A deflector body is mounted on the cover between the stirrups. A pair of flexible legs is mounted on the base within the central space. Each of the legs has a foot extending transversely therefrom. Upon mounting of the cover onto the base the legs engage the deflector body and are moved away from one another toward the stirrups, the feet thereby respectively engage the stirrups and hold the cover in engagement with the base. In a particular example of this embodiment, each of the stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving the foot. The stirrup plates are oriented transversely to the centerline. Each of the legs comprises a leg plate, the leg plates being oriented transversely to the centerline. In this example, the deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to the stirrup plates.
A cover 36 is removably mounted on the base 16. Cover 32 may be decorative, in that it may be a different color from the base 16, or have surface ornamentation or indicia thereon. In this example embodiment the cover comprises an arcuate shell 38 having a convex surface 40 and a concave surface 42 oppositely disposed. When cover 36 is mounted on base 16 the concave surface 42 faces the central space 28.
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Exercise hoops as described herein may be made from polymer resins such as polypropylene in an injection molding process. Such materials are advantageous because they provide for a light weight, strong hoop with great impact resistance to withstand hard use and the necessary flexibility and resilience to be repeatedly assembled and disassembled.
Exercise hoops according to the invention are easily broken down for convenient transport, readily assembled, and are robust due to their internal reinforcement so as to provide a long lasting and effective device for exercise.
This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/970,060, filed Mar. 25, 2014, which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61970060 | Mar 2014 | US |