Multistage hula-hoop

Abstract

A multistage hula-hoop having a plurality of hoops connected with a certain distance between a upper and lower hoops so that a user may effectively use the hula-hoop without large phase change of the hoops includes at least two hoops (10) disposed with being vertically spaced apart each other with a predetermined distance, and connecting means connecting the hoops each other not to deviate from a certain phase. This connecting means may be either at least one connecting line (20) or at least one pair of magnets (52).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a multistage hula-hoop, and more particularly to a multistage hula-hoop having a plurality of hoops connected with a certain distance between an upper and lower hoops so that a user may effectively use the hula-hoop without large phase change of the hoops.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Generally, a hula-hoop is made of plastics with a shape of ring. This hula-hoop is usually used as an exercising tool, which is turned by the movement of the waist and belly of a user. Such a hula-hoop is generally constructed with a circular pipe of a round shape and has about 1 m in diameter.

[0005] The hula-hooping, exercising on the waist and the belly, has been popularized as an ideal lifetime exercise since it can be done even in small space enough to turn a hula-hoop.

[0006] Nowadays, the hula-hoop is used for not only exercising but also playing. Thus, the hula-hoop should be developed as a tool satisfying various desires having both exercising and playing so as to trigger young people's interest through various tries.

[0007] To meet these requirements, various hula-hoops have been developed until now. The Korean Utility Model registration No. 20-210351, filed on Aug. 22, 2000, shows a hula-hoop having a ring body, which can be divided into two stages. The hula-hoop has been developed so that a user may play two hula-hoops at the same time, but it cannot provide any excellent exercising effect in spite of its convenience to transport and handle. Further, it does not create any particular fun upon the user and spectators because this hula-hoop with two combined hoops has nothing special except a wider width only in appearance.

[0008] Therefore, there is still a need to develop hula-hoops providing more fun and excellent exercising effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multistage hula-hoop including at least two hoops and connecting means to connect the hoops when a player exercise in order to avoid random movement of each hoop.

[0010] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a multistage hula-hoop including at least two hoops disposed with being vertically spaced apart each other with a predetermined distance, in which the hoops are connected by connecting means connecting the hoops each other in order to maintain a certain phase, thus enabling a player to play the hula-hoop without large phase difference of each hoop. This connecting means can be a connecting line or a pair of magnets.

[0011] Preferably, a groove is formed at a position of the hoop where the connecting line is connected in order to prevent slipping of the connecting lines.

[0012] Also, the length of the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops each other is preferably adjustable to change the distance between two adjacent hoops.

[0013] In addition, the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops can be made of flexible material.

[0014] The multistage hula-hoop of the present invention may further include at least one accessory installed on the connecting line between two adjacent hoops.

[0015] Also preferably, the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops is made of transparent material.

[0016] In such configurations, the connecting line can be assembled to the hoops so to be capable of being detached.

[0017] The multistage hula-hoop of the present invention may further include a loop formed at one end of the connecting line and a hooking element, which is possibly opened and closed, installed at the other end of the connecting line so that two adjacent hoops are connected using the loop and the hooking element respectively.

[0018] Alternatively, the multistage hula-hoop of the present invention may include hooking elements, which are possibly opened and closed, installed at both ends of the connecting line so that two adjacent hoops are connected using the hooking element respectively.

[0019] Or else, the multistage hula-hoop of the present invention may include an assembly element installed at one end of the connecting lines and an assembly hole formed on the hoop so that two adjacent hoops are connected by inserting and fixing the assembly element into the assembly hole.

[0020] And, it is also preferred that a plurality of beads of a predetermined diameter are installed on the connecting line, while a piercing hole, in which a large hole of a diameter larger than that of the beads is connected through a neck to a small hole of a diameter smaller than that of the beads, is formed on each of the hoops, so that the connecting line with a plurality of beads freely moves through the large hole to adjust the distance between two adjacent hoops, and the connecting line with the beads is transferred through the neck from the large hole to the small hole so as to be inserted in the small hole, thus fixed to the corresponding hoop.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multistage hula-hoop including at least two hoops disposed with being vertically spaced apart each other with a predetermined distance, in which a plurality of permanent magnet are installed in the hoops so as to cause repulsive force so that two adjacent hoops does not deviate from a certain phase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which like components are referred to by like reference numerals. In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing overall configuration of a multistage hula-hoop according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is for illustrating the method of connecting two adjacent hoops using a hooking element in the multistage hula-hoop according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example of the hooking element shown in FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4 is for illustrating the method of connecting two adjacent hoops using an assembly element in the multistage hula-hoop according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows another example to connect a plurality of hoops in the multistage hula-hoop according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a multistage hula-hoop using permanent magnets according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 7 is for illustrating arrangement of the permanent magnets shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows schematic overall configuration of a multistage hula-hoop according to an embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the multistage hula-hoop includes a plurality of hoops 10 vertically spaced apart each other with a predetermined distance, and connecting lines 20 for connecting the hoops 10 each other.

[0032] The hoop 10 has a traditional ring shape, and other transformed shapes are also possible. The distance between two adjacent hoops can be adjusted, as a player desires. Such adjustment of distance between two adjacent hoops is enabled using the connecting lines 20. Also, the number of used hoops is more than two, and can be chosen by the player. In the figure, there are used three hoops as an example.

[0033] The connecting lines 20 play a role of connecting two adjacent hoops so that these two adjacent hoops 10 connected by the connecting lines 20 cannot deviate from a constant phase each other while a player hula-hoops. It is not easy for beginners to hula-hoop several hoops at the same time because two hoops can be entangled due to their different movement. However, since the connecting lines 20 connect the hoops in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, it becomes possible to turn several hoops within a certain phase without entangling, thus enabling everyone to easily hula-hoop several hoops.

[0034] The connecting lines 20 are preferably made of flexible material. If stiff material is applied to the connecting lines 20, movement of adjacent hoops get stiff, thus making it difficult to hula-hoop several hoops. Therefore, it is desirable to make the connecting lines 20 with flexible material so that adjacent hoops may relatively move within appropriate phase range.

[0035] In FIG. 1, there are four connecting lines(20); however, the number of lines is not limited to four, and a plurality of the lines will do the invention no harm if it control appropriately the phase change of hoops.

[0036] FIG. 2 is for illustrating the method of connecting two adjacent hoops using the hooking element in the multistage hula-hoop according to the invention. Preferably, an groove (12) is formed at a position where the connecting lines 20 are connected, in order to prevent the connecting lines 20 from slipping. The groove formed on the hoops is well shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The groove 12 is preferably formed on outline of the hoop with V shape. The grooves prevent slipping of the connecting lines 20 from the position where the connecting lines are bounded. When two hoops 10′, 10″ vertically spaced apart are connected by the lines, the grooves 12, 12′ are preferably formed on opposite sides of each hoop, that is to say, on an upper side of the upper hoop 10′ and on a lower side of the lower hoop 10″.

[0038] As an example, the connecting line 20 may be configured to have a loop 24 at one end thereof and a hooking element 30 at the other end. The loop 24 may have a closed shape, made by binding one end of the connecting line 20 on a midway thereof. And preferably, the loop is configured to adjust its size so that the whole length of the connecting line 20 can be changed according to the size of the loop. By changing the whole length of the connecting line 20, the distance between adjacent two hoops can also be changed. Needless to say, there can be other ways to adjust the distance between the adjacent hoops.

[0039] Two adjacent hoops are connected each other by winding the connecting line 20 around one hoop 10′, inserting one end of the line through the loop 24 at the other end and then tightening the line 20 onto the hoop 10′, winding the line 20 around the adjacent hoop 10″, locking the hooking element 30 at the end of the line 20 around a midway of the line, and then tightening the line 20 onto the hoop 10″.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an example of the hooking member 30 mounted at the other end of the connecting lines 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the hooking element 30 has a fixed body 34 and a sliding body 32 moving through the fixed body 34. The fixed body 34 and the sliding body 32 are integrated in a semicircle shape. At this time, an elastic element 38 is mounted to the sliding body 32 so as to be elastically contacted by pressure to one end of the fixed body 34. In addition, the sliding body 32 has a handle 36. When pulled by a user, the handle 36 is separated from one end of the fixed body 34 so that the connecting line 20 can be inserted into the hooking member 30 through the pathway between one end of the fixed body 34 and one end of the sliding body 32. When the user releases the handle 36, the sliding body 32 comes in contact with the fixed body 34 so as to keep holding the connecting line 20, not deviating from the closed hooking member 30.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows another example of the member of connecting two adjacent hoops 10′, 10″ with the connecting the line 20. Referring to FIG. 4, one the connecting line 20 has a loop 24 at one end, identical to the case of FIG. 2, but the line 20 has an assembly element 26 at the other end. In addition, an assembly hole 14 is formed on the hoop 10″, to which the assembly element is combined, so that the assembly element(26) can be inserted and fixed.

[0042] The assembly element 26 may have any shape capable of being inserted and fixed to the assembly hole 14, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the assembly element, which a projecting part is formed at an end and a slit is formed in the center so that the projecting part may be elastically transformed inwardly.

[0043] Though not shown in the figure, it is also possible to install the assembly element 26 at both ends of the connecting line 20, instead of forming a loop at one end. In this case, two adjacent hoops respectively have assembly holes 14, and these holes 14 are preferably formed to be faced each other in the adjacent hoops.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a still another example of the connecting line 20 for connecting a plurality of hoops in the multistage hula-hoop according to the invention. In the connecting line 20 shown in FIG. 5, beads 28 of a predetermined size are mounted to the connecting line 20 at regular intervals.

[0045] In addition, a piercing hole 40 is formed to each hoop 10 so as to connect hoops with the connecting line 20, to which a plurality of beads 28 are mounted. The piercing hole 40 has a calabash shape, which has a large hole 42 of diameter larger than that of beads, a small hole 44 of diameter smaller than that of beads and a neck 46 connecting the large hole and the small hole. The neck 46 preferably has width smaller than the size of beads 28, but enough for the connecting line 20 to pass through.

[0046] The piercing hole 40 is shaped to allow the connecting line 20 to pass through the hoop 10. That is to say, the piercing holes 40 are formed on the upside and the lower side of the circular pipe-like hoop. The piercing holes 40 at both sides of the hoop can have a calabash shape, or else, it is also possible that one of two holes 40 has a calabash-like shape and the other hole larger it so that the connecting line 20 with beads may freely move.

[0047] When using the connecting lines 20 with the beads 28 and the piercing holes 40, the connecting lines 20 having the beads 28 may freely move through the large hole 42 of the hoop 40, while being fixed at the smaller hole 44 of the hoop 40 by the bead 28. Thus, a user may adjust the distance between two adjacent hoops by pulling the connection line 20 through the large hole 42 and then fix the connecting line 20 to the hoop by transferring the connecting line 20 into the small hole 44 through the neck 46 when the user decides proper length.

[0048] Even though the connection lines 20 described above in various embodiments are somewhat different in their connecting methods, all of them have same function and role in the viewpoint that they connect a plurality of hoops vertically spaced apart with any distance.

[0049] These connecting lines 20 can be made of various materials, but the transparent material is most preferred. If the connecting lines 20 are made of transparent material, the connecting lines 20 are not visible to spectators when a player hula-hoops the several hoops. This makes people feel that they are watching skillful or magical hula-hooping with a plurality of hoops, which attracts something interesting and mysterious to both the player and spectators.

[0050] Besides, the multistage hula-hoop of the invention may have multiple hoops of various diameters each other. In this case, a player can easily hula-hoop several hoops with different diameters at the same time so that people may feel that they are watching very skillful hula-hooping.

[0051] Further, it is also possible that each of the connecting lines 20 for connecting several hoops has different length each other. In this case, the several hoops move not in parallel but in cross each other, so giving more fun and pleasure to people.

[0052] Further, it is also possible to position at least one extra accessory in the middle of the connecting lines 20 for connecting the hoops. This accessory gives more pleasure because this accessory agitates and trembles between two adjacent hoops when a player hula-hoops. Particularly, in case of using transparent material for the connecting lines 20, hula-hooping causes illusion as if the accessory floats in the space between two adjacent hoops, so making the pleasure double.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a multistage hula-hoop according to another embodiment of the invention. The multistage hula-hoop shown in FIG. 6 does not adopt additional connecting lines to connect adjacent hoops but uses magnetic force of permanent magnets 52, installed in hoops 50 in order to maintain the spaced state of the adjacent hoops.

[0054] The permanent magnets 52 positioned in two adjacent hoops 50′, 50″ is well shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, the permanent magnets 52 are placed so that same magnetic poles are faced each other in two adjacent hoops 50′, 50″. That is, if S pole is placed upward and N pole is placed downward in the upper hood 50′, the permanent magnet at the lower hoop 50″ is arranged so that N pole is oriented upward and S pole is oriented downward. Thus, N poles of both permanent magnets become faced each other to cause repulsive force so that two adjacent hoops may eventually push each other. This is the mechanism to maintain the spaced state of two adjacent hoops while a user hula-hoops.

[0055] Further, there can be installed only one permanent magnet 52, but more preferably, at least two permanent magnets 52 are installed to maintain the spaced state of two adjacent hoop more stably. When a plurality of permanent magnets are disposed, the hoops can maintain proper phase without random motion since the pairs of magnets cause repulsive force each other.

[0056] Even more, the permanent magnet 52 can be embedded in the pipe-like hoop 50, or else, it is also possible to form a slit at one side of the hoop 50 and then insert and fix the permanent magnet in this slit. The disposition of such permanent magnets is not limited to any specific configuration.

[0057] As constructed above, the multistage hula-hoop according to the present invention has a plurality of hoops connected with being vertically spaced apart, so giving merits that a user may easily turn a plurality of hoops without serious phase change around the waist and belly. Accordingly, the multistage hula-hoop of the present invention gives more fun and pleasure to a user and spectators and enables a person to hula-hoop several hoops at the same time as if he(she) is a skillful player.

[0058] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

1. A multistage hula-hoop comprising:

at least two hoops (10) disposed with being vertically spaced apart each other with a predetermined distance; and

connecting means connecting the hoops each other not to deviate from a certain phase.

2. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 1,

wherein the connecting means is at least one connecting line (20)

3. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2,

wherein a groove (12) is formed at a position of the hoop where the connecting line (20) is connected in order to prevent slipping of the connecting lines (20).

4. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2,

wherein the length of the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops each other is adjustable to change the distance between two adjacent hoops.

5. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2,

wherein the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops is made of flexible material.

6. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2, further comprising at least one accessory installed on the connecting line between two adjacent hoops.

7. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2,

wherein the connecting line for connecting a plurality of hoops is made of transparent material.

8. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 2,

wherein the connecting line is capable of being detached from the hoop when being assembled to the hoop.

9. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 8, further comprising a loop (24) formed at one end of the connecting line and a hooking element (30), which is possibly opened and closed, installed at the other end of the connecting line so that two adjacent hoops are connected using the loop and the hooking element respectively.

10. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 8, further comprising hooking elements, which are possibly opened and closed, installed at both ends of the connecting line so that two adjacent hoops are connected using the hooking element respectively.

11. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 8, further comprising an assembly element (26) installed at one end of the connecting lines and an assembly hole (14) formed on the hoop so that two adjacent hoops are connected by inserting and fixing the assembly element into the assembly hole.

12. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 8,

wherein a plurality of beads (28) of a predetermined diameter are installed on the connecting line, while a piercing hole (40), in which a large hole (42) of a diameter larger than that of the beads is connected through a neck (46) to a small hole (44) of a diameter smaller than that of the beads, is formed on each of the hoops,

whereby the connecting line with a plurality of beads freely moves through the large hole to adjust the distance between two adjacent hoops, and the connecting line with the beads is transferred through the neck from the large hole to the small hole so as to be inserted in the small hole, thus fixed to the corresponding hoop.

13. A multistage hula-hoop according to claim 1,

wherein the connecting means is at least one pair of permanent magnets (52) are installed in the hoops to cause repulsive force between the hoops.