Exercise Hoop
An exercise hoop is assembled from arcuate segments attached end to end. Each segment has a base with male and female fittings at opposite ends and a sidewall extending between the ends. The sidewall defines a central space and a centerline. A cover attaches to the base. The base and the cover have reinforcing bulkheads to prevent kinking and use stirrups to engage legs having feet deflected by a deflector body to provide positive mechanical engagement between the base and the cover to secure each to the other. End to end attachment of the segments is secured using a spring biased button detent in the male fitting that engages an opening in the female fitting.
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.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention concerns exercise devices, in particular, hoop devices.
BACKGROUNDExercise 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.
SUMMARYThe 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.
As shown in
As shown in
As further shown in
As shown in
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.
Claims
1. An exercise hoop, comprising:
- a plurality of arcuate segments joined to one another end to end to form a closed loop, wherein at least one of said arcuate segments comprises:
- a base comprising a male fitting at one end and a female fitting at an opposite end;
- a sidewall extending between and connecting said fittings to one another, said sidewall partially surrounding and defining a central space and a lengthwise extending centerline;
- a plurality of first bulkheads positioned within said central space, said first bulkheads being positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along said base, said first bulkheads being attached to said sidewall;
- a cover removably mounted on said base and enclosing said central space.
2. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein said sidewall has a convex surface facing away from said central space and a concave surface facing said central space.
3. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an arcuate shell having a concave surface and a convex surface oppositely disposed.
4. The exercise hoop according to claim 3, wherein said cover comprises a plurality of second bulkheads attached to said concave surface, said second bulkheads being positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along said cover.
5. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section.
6. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first bulkheads is oriented transversely to said centerline.
7. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to said centerline.
8. The exercise hoop according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said second bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section.
9. The exercise hoop according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said second bulkheads is oriented transversely to said centerline.
10. The exercise hoop according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said second bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to said centerline.
11. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein said male fitting has a polygonal cross sectional shape.
12. The exercise hoop according to claim 11, wherein said female fitting has a polygonal interior shape for receiving said male fitting.
13. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, wherein said male fitting has a hexagonal cross sectional shape.
14. The exercise hoop according to claim 13, wherein said female fitting has a hexagonal interior shape for receiving said male fitting.
15. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a projection positioned on said male fitting and projecting outwardly away from said central space, said projection being movable toward and away from said central space;
- a spring acting between said male fitting and said projection and biasing said projection outwardly away from said central space.
16. The exercise hoop according to claim 15, wherein said male fitting defines a bore surrounding said central space, said exercise hoop further comprising:
- an end cap covering an end of said male fitting, said end cap having a boss projecting transversely thereto and into said central space, said boss being engageable with said projection when said projection moves toward said central space for limiting motion thereof.
17. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a stirrup mounted on said base within said central space;
- a deflector body mounted on said base adjacent to said stirrup;
- a flexible leg mounted on said cover, said leg having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein
- upon mounting of said cover onto said base said leg engages said deflector body and is moved toward said stirrup, said foot thereby engaging said stirrup and holding said cover in engagement with said base.
18. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a stirrup mounted on said cover;
- a deflector body mounted on said cover adjacent to said stirrup;
- a flexible leg mounted on said base within said central space, said leg having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein
- upon mounting of said cover onto said base said leg engages said deflector body and is moved toward said stirrup, said foot thereby engaging said stirrup and holding said cover in engagement with said base.
19. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced relation on said base within said central space;
- a deflector body mounted on said base between said stirrups;
- a pair of flexible legs mounted in spaced relation on said cover, each of said legs having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein
- upon mounting of said cover onto said base said legs engage said deflector body and are moved away from one another toward said stirrups, said feet thereby respectively engaging said stirrups and holding said cover in engagement with said base.
20. The exercise hoop according to claim 19, wherein:
- each of said stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving said foot, said stirrup plates being oriented transversely to said centerline;
- each of said legs comprises a leg plate, said leg plates being oriented transversely to said centerline; and
- said deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to said stirrup plates.
21. The exercise hoop according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced apart relation on said cover;
- a deflector body mounted on said cover between said stirrups;
- a pair of flexible legs mounted on said base within said central space, each of said legs having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein
- upon mounting of said cover onto said base said legs engage said deflector body and are moved away from one another toward said stirrups, said feet thereby respectively engaging said stirrups and holding said cover in engagement with said base.
22. The exercise hoop according to claim 21, wherein:
- each of said stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving said foot, said stirrup plates being oriented transversely to said centerline;
- each of said legs comprises a leg plate, said leg plates being oriented transversely to said centerline; and
- said deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to said stirrup plates.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 25, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
Inventors: Remington Hotchkis (Glendora, CA), Grant Leigh Nelson (Woodstock), Geoff Patterson (Valencia, CA)
Application Number: 14/667,986