U.S. patent application number 14/667986 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for exercise hoop.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sea Street Media Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Remington Hotchkis, Grant Leigh Nelson, Geoff Patterson.
Application Number | 20150273260 14/667986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54188897 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150273260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hotchkis; Remington ; et
al. |
October 1, 2015 |
Exercise Hoop
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Hotchkis; Remington;
(Glendora, CA) ; Nelson; Grant Leigh; (Woodstock,
ZA) ; Patterson; Geoff; (Valencia, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sea Street Media Group, LLC |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54188897 |
Appl. No.: |
14/667986 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61970060 |
Mar 25, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 19/00 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 19/00 20060101
A63B019/00 |
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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] 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 INVENTION
[0002] This invention concerns exercise devices, in particular,
hoop devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
SUMMARY
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example exercise hoop
according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the exercise hoop
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of a segment of the
exercise hoop shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a portion of a segment shown
on an enlarged scale;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an end of a segment of the
exercise hoop shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an end cap used with the
segment shown in FIG. 5; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a component of the hoop
segment shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an example exercise hoop
10 according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, hoop 10
comprises a plurality of arcuate segments 12 joined end to end to
form the closed loop 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. An example segment
12 is shown in FIG. 3. Segment 12 comprises a base 16 having a male
fitting 18 at one end 20, and a female fitting 22 at the opposite
end 24. A sidewall 26 extends between and connects the male and
female fittings 18 and 22 to one another. Sidewall 26 partially
surrounds and defines a central space 28 and a lengthwise extending
centerline 30. In the example hoop 10, the sidewall has a convex
surface 32 facing away from the central space 28, and a concave
surface 34 facing the central space.
[0025] 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.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, both the base 16 and the cover 36 have a
plurality of bulkheads 44 and 46, respectively. Bulkheads 44 on the
base 16 are positioned within the central space 28 and are attached
to the concave surface 34 of sidewall 26 in spaced apart relation
lengthwise along the segment 12. Similarly, bulkheads 46 on the
cover 36 are attached to the concave surface 42 in spaced apart
relation lengthwise along the cover. Bulkheads 44 and 46 are
oriented transversely to the centerline 30 and serve to reinforce
the sidewall 26 and prevent buckling and kinking of the segments 12
when they are subjected to point loads. Example bulkheads may have
an "X" shaped cross section as shown at 44a, or may be oriented
substantially perpendicular to the centerline 30 as shown at 44b
and 46.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of stirrups 48 may be
mounted on either or both the base 16 and the cover 36. In this
example embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, each stirrup 48
comprises a plate 50 positioned within the central space 28 and
attached to the concave surface 34 of the sidewall 26. Stirrup
plates 50 are oriented transversely to the centerline 30. Each
stirrup 48 has an opening 52 therein as explained in detail below.
The stirrups 48 may be used singly, but it is advantageous to use
them in pairs with a deflector body 54 positioned between them. As
shown in FIG. 4, an example deflector body comprises a plate 56
oriented transversely to the stirrup plates 50. The deflector
plates 56 are also attached to the concave surface 34 of the
sidewall 26 and engage and deflect flexible legs 58 (see FIG. 3)
mounted on the cover 36 when the cover is mounted on the base 16.
The flexible legs 58 may also be grouped in pairs as shown to
cooperate with the stirrup pairs. In this embodiment, each leg 58
comprises a flexible plate 60 attached to the concave surface 42 of
the cover 36 and oriented transversely to the centerline 30. A foot
62 extends transversely from plate 60 and is forced into engagement
with the opening 52 in the stirrup plate 50 when the leg plate 60
is deflected by the deflector plate 56 as the cover 36 is engaged
with the base 16. Engagement between the feet 62 and the stirrups
48 provides the mechanical engagement which retains the cover 36 to
the base 16. The locations of the stirrup pairs 48 and the leg
pairs 58 are coordinated between the base 16 and the cover 36 so
that they align and cooperate with one another when the cover is
attached to the base. Deflector plates 56 may have angularly
oriented edges 64 to facilitate deflecting of the legs 58 outwardly
away from one another so that the feet 62 are forced into
engagement with the openings 52 in the stirrup plates 50 when the
legs are inserted between them. The example as described features
the stirrups 48 and deflector bodies 54 mounted on the base 16 and
the legs 58 mounted on the cover 36, but it is understood that the
relative positions of these elements could be reversed.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows in detail end 20 of segment 12 and the male
fitting 18. In this example the male fitting 18 has a hexagonal
cross section 66. When used in conjunction with a female fitting 22
(see FIG. 3) having a hexagonal interior shape the complementary
polygonal (hexagonal in this case) shapes prevents relative
rotation between segments 12 about the centerline 30. Other cross
sectional and interior shapes for the male and female fittings
respectively are of course feasible.
[0029] As further shown in FIG. 5, the male fitting 18 defines a
bore 68 surrounding the central space 28. A projection 70 is
positioned on the male fitting 18 and projects outwardly away from
the central space 28. The projection may be in the form of a button
72 as shown in detail in FIG. 7 and is mounted on male fitting 18
to be movable toward and away from the central space 28. A spring
(not shown) acts between the male fitting 18 and the projection 70
(button 72) to bias it outwardly away from the central space. Thus
configured, projection 70 is able to cooperate with an opening 74
in a mating female fitting 22 (see FIG. 3) and act as a detent to
permit segments 12 to be readily joined end to end and
disassembled. As is well understood, when the male fitting 18
engages a female fitting 22 to assemble the hoop 10 the projection
70 (button 72) is depressed and permits engagement. When the
projection aligns with the opening 74 the spring biases the
projection away from the central space 28 and up through the
opening 74, providing positive mechanical engagement that prevents
the segments from being separated. To separate the segments the
projection 70 is depressed against the spring biasing. The
projection no longer extends through the opening 74 and the
mechanical engagement between the fittings is lost, allowing the
male fitting 18 to be withdrawn and the segments to be
separated.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, it is advantageous to use an
end cap 76 to seal off the bore 68 of the male fitting 18. End cap
76 is shown in detail in FIG. 6 and comprises a boss 78 that
projects transversely into the central space 28 when the end cap 76
is mounted on the end of male fitting 18. Boss 78 is engageable
with projection 70 and acts as a stop to limit the travel of the
projection into the central space 28.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
* * * * *