The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
Each of the coupling unit 1 is densely wound, throughout an outer peripheral surface of the overall body thereof except for the coupling portions 5 and 7, by a braid 9 that is made by interweaving a plurality of strands. Also, metal or plastic connecting members 8 are fitted around the respective coupling portions between the neighboring coupling units 1 in the course of assembling of the coupling units 1. To obtain a desired size, it is appropriate to assemble six coupling units in the case of a children's hula hoop and eight coupling units in the case of an adult hula hoop.
Preferably, the above mentioned braid 9 may be, for example, made by interweaving sixteen strands. In the present invention, although the strands may have the same color as one another, it is desirable that the strands have different colors from one another or belong to the same color tone to obtain a variety of color combinations of braids, in order to guarantee an outstanding and aesthetic outer appearance of the hula hoop. This has the effect of providing a user with aesthetic appreciation when using the hula hoop in playing or exercise, and furthermore, achieving high interior decorative effect even when the hula hoop is simply placed in a room.
As can be understood, it is most important for the hula hoop to achieve a high structural strength against shock caused during playing or exercise. In the present invention, the durability of the hula hoop can be improved by appropriately selecting a finishing method of the braid wound on the hula hoop. For example, winding beginning and ending portions of the braid 9 wound on the outer peripheral surface of each coupling unit 1 may be thermally bonded to be integrated to the outer peripheral surface of the coupling unit 1. Alternatively, each coupling unit 1 may be perforated with holes at positions corresponding to the winding beginning and ending portions of the braid 9 and both the beginning and ending portions of the braid 9 are knotted in the holes after the braid 9 is wound on the coupling unit 1. Yet alternatively, the winding beginning and ending portions of the braid 9 may be pushed below the braid 9 that is tightly wound on the associated coupling unit 1, so as to be captured and fixedly maintained below the braid 9 by a winding force of the braid 9.
As apparent from the above description, the hula hoop of the present invention provides the following effects.
Firstly, the hula hoop of the present invention provides a user with strong acupressure stimulation. Such an acupressure function cannot be obtained by conventional simple plastic hula hoops, and therefore, the hula hoop of the present invention can achieve an improvement in exercise effect.
Secondly, as a result of winding a braid, which is made by interweaving sixteen strands, on an outer peripheral surface of each unit of the hula hoop, the hula hoop of the present invention can provide a user with soft fiber contact feeling rather than a hard plastic contact feeling in use. Furthermore, the braid has the effect of allowing the hula hoop to cling to the user's body by virtue of its weight. This has the effect of enabling the user for enjoying playing the hula hoop for an increased time.
Thirdly, the hula hoop of the present invention can achieve an outstanding aesthetic outer appearance by virtue of various colors of braids wound thereon. As a result, the hula hoop can be recognized as a good interior decorative article as well as aesthetic exercise equipment.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20-2006-0007131 | Apr 2006 | KR | national |