Flexible and Collapsible Weighted Hula Hoop

Abstract

A flexible hula hoop is made of soft, non-abrasive, flexible, stretchy and collapsible material that is filled with liquid weight before use. This flexible hula hoop can have different amounts of liquid weight for the purpose of different levels of exercise. The hula hoop of this invention uses movement with the body of the user to create momentum for the toning of the abdominal, gluteal and thigh muscles, as well as for weight loss and entertainment. Additionally, there is a plug and aperture system to hold liquid in the hollow interior of the hoop while in motion, during transportation, and during storage. In addition, because said hula hoop material is stretchy it is possible to be used for resistance training for the toning of arm, leg and gluteal muscles.

Description

Current patent claiming benefits of provisional application No. 621188930 filed on Jul. 6, 2015

REFERENCES

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENT 20100029446

U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,309

U.S PATENT DOCUMENT PUBLICATION No. 99-3801

DESCRIPTION

This application claims benefits of provisional application No. 621188930 filed on Jul. 6, 2015

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hula hoop, and more particularly, an improved hula hoop which is made of collapsible, soft, stretchy, flexible material that can have water added to the hollow cavity of the hula hoop to allow for different levels of exercise creating a better experience for the user of a hula hoop. The invention is the solution to the problems of the conventional weighted hula hoop that have the purpose of an entertaining exercise.

2. Description of Prior Art

The original hula hoop was introduced in the 1950's for entertainment and has been modified over the years by other inventors who have tried to create an entertaining exercise for users who want to shrink and tone their waist. Along with creating an exercise apparatus, prior art has also tried to create a collapsible hula hoop for easy transportation, storage and shipping. Additionally, prior art has also tried to create a padded metal exercise hoop for the comfort of the user.

Conventional weighted hula hoops consist of two pieces of metal that are welded together to create a hollow ring for the purpose of exercise and trimming the waist. These hula hoops can have fill to add to the effectiveness of the exercise. However, in creating a hula hoop for exercise purposes, some prior art do not allow for a comfortable workout. For instance, when the metal weighted hula hoop comes into contact with the body it will create such a high impact it will cause pain and possible bruising. Because of this a padded hula hoop was designed to eliminate this discomfort. Unfortunately, the mentioned hula hoop did not perform in the manner it was created to perform.

A weighted hoop publication No. 20100029446, discloses “Padded and weighted exercise hoop” as being used for the purpose of toning and weight loss. The hula hoop in said mentioned invention uses metal for the body of said hoop and padding on the outer layer of metal with liquid or other material inside for added weight. The problem with said hula hoop is the pressure at contact point with the body can cause pain and bruising. Other existing problems of said hula hoop are its lack of function, in that it cannot be folded to make transport easy, takes up a tremendous amount of space, and can be noisy due to the materials inside the hollow body of the hoop, for example, metal balls, glass marbles, or plastic beads.

Another example of a hula hoop is, Publication No. 99-3801 “A coil ring hula hoop with enforced playing effect”. It is made of a coil ring that is flexible but the material is not soft and it will hurt the user when it comes into contact with the body of the user. Because of the coil hoop's design, when in use the metal coil becomes separated, thus allowing for the material when it comes back together with each rotation to catch the skin in between said coils and thus pinch the user causing pain and bruising.

A further example, Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,134, “Collapsible hula hoop”, is a hula hoop that folds down with an elastic cord running through the hollow body of the hula hoop. It solves a problem of the fixed ring of a conventional hula hoop, but it still does not solve the problem of a comfortable workout. Nor does it fold down to a size that will transport easily.

Example of Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,309, “Collapsible hula-hoop”, shows an inflatable hula hoop that will fold to a compact size suitable to transport easily and store with minimal space. However, said prior art does not have the weight that it needs to create centrifugal force for the movement of the hula hoop. Therefore, it does solve the problem of storage and transport, but not for the utility of the purpose of exercise and toning.

The above-mentioned prior art, with the exception of U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,309, has been known to provide an exercise that tones the waist and assist with weight loss, but at the discomfort of the user.

The existing hula hoops for exercise would need to change their design completely to function and have similar effects as current invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been keeping in mind the problems with the above mentioned art. In order to solve the problems, aforementioned, current invention provides a flexible hula hoop made of a soft, non-abrasive and stretchy material that cradles the natural curves of the body when it comes into contact with the body of the user, allowing for a massaging and comfortable exercise that is entertaining and enjoyable.

Unlike prior art, this invention is made of strong, collapsible, stretchy and flexible material that can contain water allowing for comfort of use, and easy transport; and has the ability to change weight, due to the amount of liquid that is put in the hollow cavity of the hoop, for varying degrees of exercise.

It is used for the purpose of exercise, toning of the abdominal, gluteal, and thigh muscles. This invention also enhances the intestinal function because of the gyrations of the user, thus reducing feelings of cramping and bloating in the abdomen.

The material in this invention can stretch therefore it can also be used for resistance training to assist in the toning of arm, gluteal, lower and upper leg muscles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of hula hoop taken from

FIG. 2 in accordance with the embodiment of present invention; is a view of both the smooth outer surface of the flexible, soft, stretchy material, as well as, the inside ridges of the hula hoop;

FIG. 3 is a view of dimensions of current hula hoop which can be altered;

FIG. 4 is a view of the hula hoop with the valve structure and plug;

FIG. 5 is a view of the hula hoop folded and collapsed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows hollow cavity 6 of a flexible, soft, stretchy, plastic material 4 so that there is an unrestricted flow of liquid to maximize momentum during use; the material of said flexible hoop is such that it is created to seal in such a way as to not allow leakage of liquid from within the hoop body 4 itself.

FIG. 2 shows ridges 2 of flexible plastic material of invention 4 that was added to aid hula hoop to cling to user's body to assist in the movement necessary to keep invention moving around the waist and hip area of the user; it has been found that the ridges do not assist with keeping the hula hoop around the waist or hips of user, therefore, said ridges 2 are decorative only and could be changed or taken off without detriment to the embodiment of the hula hoop 4.

Flexible plastic material in FIG. 2, shows a smooth outer surface 5 of the hula hoop 4; this material may be changed as long as it is consistent with the current material used such as a non-abrasive, flexible, soft, stretchy material that will hold liquid inside cavity for optimal performance of the said invention by the user; additionally the thickness of material can be changed for added flexibility of hula hoop 4.

FIG. 3 shows the dimensions of the embodiment of the hula hoop 4 to be 40 mm by 600 mm; these dimensions allow for average size users to be able to move the hula hoop around their waist and hips; improved upon additional sizing will allow for a broader range of individual use based on the size of the user; additional sizes of ring could be 2 inches to 45 inches in circumference and any other size that would be appropriate to the usage of said invention; smaller rings could be worn around wrist or ankles for increased weight on arms or legs. A side angle 5 of the invention is shown to give perspective to the dimensions and show the smooth outer surface, which could be altered without detriment to the integrity of invention.

FIG. 4 shows the complete embodiment of hula hoop 4 with the aperture location 3 where plug 1 will be placed after liquid has been added to hula hoop 4 to fill the cavity 6 with approximately 3-5 cups of liquid depending on the level of intensity desired. The more liquid weight the user puts into the cavity 6 the easier it is to use the invention. The plug 1 can be removed to allow for the elimination of liquid for storage or transport.

The current plug 1 in FIG. 4 sits securely inside an aperture 3 causing the liquid to stay within the cavity of the ring 6 for unrestricted flow of liquid through the cavity. The plug 1 is inserted into aperture 3 by pushing for a secure fit, however, the current method has the capability of allowing leakage and is hard to remove when the addition or removal of water from the hula hoop 4 is desired for transport or storage.

An improved plug can screw into an aperture, reducing the possibility of leakage if not completely eliminating the possibility of said leakage; enabling easier access to aperture 3 for liquid to be added or removed; an improved upon plug will allow for air release without the necessity of being separated from the body of the hula hoop 4, and will release air through holes in the upper portion of the plug as the hula hoop 4 is being folded for transport or storage; the modified plug will also allow liquid to be added or removed when it is separated from the body of the hula hoop 4; improved upon plug could be magnetic, screw style, or any plug, device, system, or best mode that will allow easy access to the aperture for liquid removal or addition and air release when folding apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a folded and collapsed view of said invention. In this folded position the hula hoop dimensions are 5″×4″×2″ without liquid and 8×6″×2″ with liquid.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions or substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of invention as disclosed in the following claims.

Additional improvements to the current invention may be but are not limited to; an electronic chip may be added to the body of ring, either between layers of material or attached to the outer layer, coordinate with wearable technology and an App on device to regulate and track data while hula hoop is in use.

Claims

1. A collapsible exercise hoop that comprises a flexible, soft material including a plug, and aperture to hold weight inside the cavity of said body of hoop during use, storage or transport and having a cushioning effect.

2. The hoop of claim 1, comprising a soft material that can contain liquid.

3. The hoop of claim 2, comprising material that is flexible and non-abrasive that can contain liquid.

4. The hoop of claim 3, comprising material that will stretch and contain liquid.

5. The hoop of claim 3, comprising of material that can be folded and collapsed with or without liquid in cavity.

6. The hoop of claim 1, said weight consisting essentially of water.

7. The hoop of claim 1, including a plug and aperture for the liquid to be removed or added.

8. The hoop of claim 7, including no part that can be removed but can be improved upon without altering the invention.

9. The hoop of claim 1, comprises of material that can be altered in size for additional uses.