EP0471686B1 - Collapsible hula-hoop - Google Patents

Collapsible hula-hoop Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0471686B1
EP0471686B1 EP90906377A EP90906377A EP0471686B1 EP 0471686 B1 EP0471686 B1 EP 0471686B1 EP 90906377 A EP90906377 A EP 90906377A EP 90906377 A EP90906377 A EP 90906377A EP 0471686 B1 EP0471686 B1 EP 0471686B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hula hoop
tube section
hoop
sections
elastic ring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90906377A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0471686A1 (en
Inventor
Synnove Engeset Nordanger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
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Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0471686A1 publication Critical patent/EP0471686A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0471686B1 publication Critical patent/EP0471686B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B19/00—Hoop exercising apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2210/00—Space saving
    • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
    • A63B2210/52—Frame members linked by elastic means when disassembled

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a collapsible hula hoop comprising a number of extended separate tube sections, where the one end of each tube section comprises a connecting joint for establishing a connection to an adjacent tube section.
  • the hula hoop is especially applicable as a toy, or as an excercise apparatus during sports and leisure.
  • the traditional hula hoop is, due to its size and the amount of space it requires, highly unpractical to store and to transport and, moreover, has a very limited application because it is unpractical to bring along with one.
  • a hula hoop/excercise apparatus of this type is known from UK Patent Application No. 2,109,253.
  • the hoop comprises a number of curved sections which ban be assembled to a circular hula hoop. At either end of such curved section is mounted a profiled projection which fits exactly into the corresponding cavities of the adjacent hoop element so that a number of tube sections can be connected to form a complete hoop.
  • the German Patent N o 1,092,820 describes a collapsible hoola hoop, whereby individual hoop sections are connected by joints and held together by an elastic ring in a slot on the outer circumference of the hoop.
  • the disadvantage with these known devices is that the connection between the tube sections is weak and parts of the hoop may easily be lost when the hoop is disassembled.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a collapsible hula hoop where by the abovementioned disadvantages are entirely eliminated.
  • collapsible hula hoop according to the invention is defined in claim 1.
  • the ring consists of a rubber band or of an elastic band.
  • the connecting joints are made of a stiffer material than that of the tube sections, and this contributes to the hula hoop maintaining its circular shape in the posistion of use.
  • the hula hoop 10 comprises a number of separate connectable tube sections 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 where the figure shows six sections. Each tube section has an internal and an external diameter, D i and D y respectively.
  • D i and D y respectively.
  • an internal continuous ring-shaped cavity 24 is consequently formed in the internal cavity 24 .
  • an elastic ring 26 which is tightened so that the tube sections 12 - 22 are held tightly together when the hula hoop is assembled.
  • the tube sections 12 - 22 may be made of plastic or of other suitable material such as by extruding.
  • Fig. 2 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of how two of the adjacent sections (16, 18) of the hula hoop according to Fig. 1 may be connected.
  • the connecting joint 28 In one of the ends of the tube section 16 is installed the one part 29 of a sleeve shaped connecting joint 28, the connecting joint 28 having the same external diameter or slightly greater external diameter than the tube section's internal diameter D i .
  • the connecting joint 28 may consequently be inserted into the opening of the section 16 and, as a result, adjusts itself to it.
  • the connecting joint's 28 other part 31 projects outwards from the tube section 16 and consequently adjusts, itself to be inserted into the adjacent tube section 18 when the hula hoop is to be assembled. (See also Fig. 3).
  • a radially coursed ridge or fold 33 having the same external diameter as the tube sections 10 - 22 external diameter D y . This is particularly preferred during the manufacturing assembly of the said connecting joint 28 into the tube section 16 to ensure that a sufficiently long part of the connecting joint 24 projects out from the end of the tube section 16.
  • the connecting joint 28 may be made from the same material as the tube sections 12 - 22 themselves, but is preferably manufactured from a stiffer and harder plastic material than the tube sections, and may adequately be manufactured by way of injection moulding.
  • the fact that the connecting joints 28 are somewhat stiffer than are the section 12 - 22 contributes to the elements 28 not being able to loosen or falling out from the ring sections once they are assembled. Further, it will contribute to stiffen the hula hoop so that its round shape in user position is maintained.
  • the connecting joint 28 is tubular also, the hula hoop 10 in assembled position forms the abovementioned circular cavity 23 where the elastic ring 26 is provided.
  • one of the ends of each tube section is made containing a graded insertion end that fits accurately into an adjacent tube section's opening. It is important that the connecting area between two adjacent tube sections forms a smooth and even surface, without edges or recesses.
  • the elastic ring 26 comprises preferably a band in the form of an elastic band made of rubber and/or textile.
  • the elastic ring 26 is assembled by being threaded continuously through the tube sections 12 - 22, whereafter the elastic ends are pulled together and tightened and are joined by way of tying or by way of welding in order to form a continuous band.
  • the elastic ring 26 must be assembled tightly enough so that the tube sections 12 - 22 in the hula hoop are held sufficiently together during normal use, such as playing and sports activities, i.e. without the tube sections being able to slide away from one another so that gaps are formed between them.
  • the elastic band must not on the other hand, be tighter than that a person with normal excercise of power would be able to pull the tube sections away from one another when the hula hoop is to be disassembled.
  • Fig. 3 is shown diagrammatically the hula hoop 10 in collapsed position, and the tube sections 12 - 22 are now stacked on top of one another.
  • the location of the connecting joints 28 is readily apparent.
  • the elastic ring 26 is tightened even more when the hula hoop 10 is in a collapsed position than when the hula hoop is in an assembled position.
  • the elastic ring 30 progresses between each of the tube sections.
  • the hula hoop 10 is easy to transport and to store.
  • the hula hoop according to the invention comprises six tube sections that are manufactured by way of the extruding of a plastic material, and has the total length (circumferences) of about 2.5 meters.
  • the external diameter is 2.0 cm and the tube wall thickness is 1.5 mm.
  • the connecting joints are manufactured by way of injection moulding and, moreoer, are manufactured from a harder plastic material than are the tube sections.
  • the connecting joints are 6 cm long and the diameter is 1.7 cm, i.e. is equal to the internal diameter of the tube section.
  • the elastic ring in the form of a band of rubber or an elastic textile band, which is run through the tube sections, has a length of about 1.60 meter when it is not extended. This implies that the elastic ring is tighter when the hula hoop is collapsed than when it is assembled in position of use.

Abstract

One refers to a collapsible Hula-Hoop<R> (10) comprising a number of extended separate tube sections (12 - 22) where the one end of each tube section (12 - 22) comprises a connecting joint for establishing a connection to an adjacent tube section, and the Hula-Hoop<R> is characterized in that through the continuous tube sections (12 - 22) is provided an elastic ring (26) such as a band, which is tightened so that the Hula-Hoop<R> (10) is held together in use position.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a collapsible hula hoop comprising a number of extended separate tube sections, where the one end of each tube section comprises a connecting joint for establishing a connection to an adjacent tube section. According to the invention, the hula hoop is especially applicable as a toy, or as an excercise apparatus during sports and leisure.
  • The traditional hula hoop is, due to its size and the amount of space it requires, highly unpractical to store and to transport and, moreover, has a very limited application because it is unpractical to bring along with one.
  • There is therefore a need for a hula hoop or an excercise apparatus of this type that can be collapsed into a more compact unit, so that one can easily bring it with one.
  • A hula hoop/excercise apparatus of this type is known from UK Patent Application No. 2,109,253. The hoop comprises a number of curved sections which ban be assembled to a circular hula hoop. At either end of such curved section is mounted a profiled projection which fits exactly into the corresponding cavities of the adjacent hoop element so that a number of tube sections can be connected to form a complete hoop. The German Patent No 1,092,820 describes a collapsible hoola hoop, whereby individual hoop sections are connected by joints and held together by an elastic ring in a slot on the outer circumference of the hoop. The disadvantage with these known devices, however, is that the connection between the tube sections is weak and parts of the hoop may easily be lost when the hoop is disassembled.
  • The object of the invention is to provide a collapsible hula hoop where by the abovementioned disadvantages are entirely eliminated.
  • The collapsible hula hoop according to the invention is defined in claim 1.
  • According to a preferred embodiment of the hula hoop according to the present invention, the ring consists of a rubber band or of an elastic band.
  • Further, it is preferred according to the invention that the connecting joints are made of a stiffer material than that of the tube sections, and this contributes to the hula hoop maintaining its circular shape in the posistion of use.
  • Further features and advantages of the hula hoop according to the present invention will be evident from the following description having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • Fig. 1 shows at a reduced scale an assembled hula hoop according to the present invention.
    • Fig. 2 shows a connecting joint that is provided between two tube sections.
    • Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically the hula hoop in collapsed position.
  • The hula hoop 10 according to the invention comprises a number of separate connectable tube sections 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 where the figure shows six sections. Each tube section has an internal and an external diameter, Di and Dy respectively. When the hula hoop 10 is assembled, an internal continuous ring-shaped cavity 24 is consequently formed. In the internal cavity 24 is provided an elastic ring 26 which is tightened so that the tube sections 12 - 22 are held tightly together when the hula hoop is assembled. The tube sections 12 - 22 may be made of plastic or of other suitable material such as by extruding.
  • Fig. 2 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of how two of the adjacent sections (16, 18) of the hula hoop according to Fig. 1 may be connected. In one of the ends of the tube section 16 is installed the one part 29 of a sleeve shaped connecting joint 28, the connecting joint 28 having the same external diameter or slightly greater external diameter than the tube section's internal diameter Di. The connecting joint 28 may consequently be inserted into the opening of the section 16 and, as a result, adjusts itself to it. The connecting joint's 28 other part 31 projects outwards from the tube section 16 and consequently adjusts, itself to be inserted into the adjacent tube section 18 when the hula hoop is to be assembled. (See also Fig. 3). In the middle of the connecting joint is formed a radially coursed ridge or fold 33 having the same external diameter as the tube sections 10 - 22 external diameter Dy. This is particularly preferred during the manufacturing assembly of the said connecting joint 28 into the tube section 16 to ensure that a sufficiently long part of the connecting joint 24 projects out from the end of the tube section 16.
  • The connecting joint 28 may be made from the same material as the tube sections 12 - 22 themselves, but is preferably manufactured from a stiffer and harder plastic material than the tube sections, and may adequately be manufactured by way of injection moulding. The fact that the connecting joints 28 are somewhat stiffer than are the section 12 - 22 contributes to the elements 28 not being able to loosen or falling out from the ring sections once they are assembled. Further, it will contribute to stiffen the hula hoop so that its round shape in user position is maintained.
  • Because the connecting joint 28 is tubular also, the hula hoop 10 in assembled position forms the abovementioned circular cavity 23 where the elastic ring 26 is provided.
  • According to an alternative embodiment, as opposed to utilizing separately inserted connecting joints, one of the ends of each tube section is made containing a graded insertion end that fits accurately into an adjacent tube section's opening. It is important that the connecting area between two adjacent tube sections forms a smooth and even surface, without edges or recesses.
  • The elastic ring 26 comprises preferably a band in the form of an elastic band made of rubber and/or textile. The elastic ring 26 is assembled by being threaded continuously through the tube sections 12 - 22, whereafter the elastic ends are pulled together and tightened and are joined by way of tying or by way of welding in order to form a continuous band. The elastic ring 26 must be assembled tightly enough so that the tube sections 12 - 22 in the hula hoop are held sufficiently together during normal use, such as playing and sports activities, i.e. without the tube sections being able to slide away from one another so that gaps are formed between them. The elastic band must not on the other hand, be tighter than that a person with normal excercise of power would be able to pull the tube sections away from one another when the hula hoop is to be disassembled.
  • In Fig. 3 is shown diagrammatically the hula hoop 10 in collapsed position, and the tube sections 12 - 22 are now stacked on top of one another. The location of the connecting joints 28 is readily apparent. One will comprehend that the elastic ring 26 is tightened even more when the hula hoop 10 is in a collapsed position than when the hula hoop is in an assembled position. In the figure, it is readily apparent how the elastic ring 30 progresses between each of the tube sections. In the collapsed possition, the hula hoop 10 is easy to transport and to store.
    • A preferred embodiment
  • According to a preferred embodiment, the hula hoop according to the invention comprises six tube sections that are manufactured by way of the extruding of a plastic material, and has the total length (circumferences) of about 2.5 meters. The external diameter is 2.0 cm and the tube wall thickness is 1.5 mm. The connecting joints are manufactured by way of injection moulding and, moreoer, are manufactured from a harder plastic material than are the tube sections. Moreover, the connecting joints are 6 cm long and the diameter is 1.7 cm, i.e. is equal to the internal diameter of the tube section. There is one connecting joint per tube section. In the middle of each connecting joint is made a peripheric-coursed fold with a width equal to 2 mm and with a diameter of 2.0 cm.
  • The elastic ring in the form of a band of rubber or an elastic textile band, which is run through the tube sections, has a length of about 1.60 meter when it is not extended. This implies that the elastic ring is tighter when the hula hoop is collapsed than when it is assembled in position of use.

Claims (4)

  1. Collapsible hula hoop (10) comprised of a number of extended separate sections (12 - 22) where the one end of each section (12 - 22) comprises a connecting joint for establishing a connection to an adjacent tube section, and the hula hoop is held together in use position by means of a tightened elastic ring (26) engaging the sections, characterized in that
       the separate sections comprise tube sections which are assembled to form an internal continuous shaped cavity enclosing the tightened elastic ring (26),
       and each connecting joint (28) comprises a separate sleeve body having the same or slightly greater external diameter than the tube section's internal diameter Di, and at about the middle of the connecting joint (28) a radially coursed flange (33) is formed having the same external diameter as the tube section,
       whereby one part (29) of each sleeve body is installed into one of the openings of one tube section (16), while the other part of the sleeve body (31), projecting outwards from the said tube section (16), is inserted into the adjacent tube section opening (18) when the hula hoop is assembled.
  2. Hula hoop in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the elastic ring (26) comprises an elastic band.
  3. Hula hoop in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the elastic ring (26) comprises a rubber band.
  4. Hula hoop in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the connecting joints (28) are made of stiffer material than the tube sections (12 - 22).
EP90906377A 1989-05-02 1990-04-18 Collapsible hula-hoop Expired - Lifetime EP0471686B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO891806A NO166689C (en) 1989-05-02 1989-05-02 COMPARABLE ROCKING.
NO891806 1989-05-02
PCT/NO1990/000066 WO1990013337A1 (en) 1989-05-02 1990-04-18 Collapsible hula-hoop

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0471686A1 EP0471686A1 (en) 1992-02-26
EP0471686B1 true EP0471686B1 (en) 1994-10-12

Family

ID=19891983

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90906377A Expired - Lifetime EP0471686B1 (en) 1989-05-02 1990-04-18 Collapsible hula-hoop

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0471686B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04504667A (en)
KR (1) KR920700054A (en)
AT (1) ATE112691T1 (en)
AU (1) AU643434B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2055475C (en)
DE (1) DE69013344T2 (en)
NO (1) NO166689C (en)
WO (1) WO1990013337A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5145443A (en) * 1991-08-06 1992-09-08 Cygnet, Inc. Musical toy hoop
AU643662B3 (en) * 1993-03-25 1993-11-18 Charms Pty Limited Games device
GB2279018B (en) * 1993-06-14 1996-08-14 Full Zone Corp Hula hoop
WO1995032031A2 (en) * 1994-05-19 1995-11-30 Dyer, Alison, Margaret A frame, particularly a goal frame
US5490806A (en) * 1994-08-09 1996-02-13 Spector; Donald Toy hoop
KR200221265Y1 (en) * 2000-10-21 2001-04-16 오동덕 The hula hoop which has round wing shape pressure projection
DE202008006474U1 (en) 2008-05-10 2008-08-14 Prillwitz, Ralf Hula Hoop Massage Link Chain
KR200450273Y1 (en) * 2010-06-01 2010-09-16 이태웅 Foldable High Elastic Hula Hoop

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1194257A (en) * 1959-11-09
FR972971A (en) * 1948-10-02 1951-02-06 Removable pole for tent
DE1092820B (en) * 1958-11-18 1960-11-10 Walter Minner Collapsible sports tire
GB2109253B (en) * 1981-10-14 1985-09-04 Lynda Margaret Clements Massage and exercise apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69013344D1 (en) 1994-11-17
AU643434B2 (en) 1993-11-18
CA2055475C (en) 1998-03-31
JPH04504667A (en) 1992-08-20
WO1990013337A1 (en) 1990-11-15
NO891806L (en) 1990-11-05
NO891806D0 (en) 1989-05-02
NO166689C (en) 1991-08-28
AU5429190A (en) 1990-11-29
ATE112691T1 (en) 1994-10-15
DE69013344T2 (en) 1995-11-02
KR920700054A (en) 1992-02-19
EP0471686A1 (en) 1992-02-26
CA2055475A1 (en) 1990-11-03
NO166689B (en) 1991-05-21

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