GB2481006A - Hoop rolling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A hoop rolling apparatus with an extendible, interchangeable control stick 300, comprises: a hoop for rolling (see figure two); and a control stick having a telescopic stick body 301 and interchangeable attachments 302 to receive the hoop. The user selects the correct length of the control stick relative to their height, and adjusts the control stick to this length. The user then selects the desired attachment for receiving the hoop for their level of difficulty - a less curved attachment for greater difficulty (see figure 4), or a more curved attachment for less difficulty (see figure 3). The attachment is then connected to one end of the control stick. The user may then place the attachment around the hoop, and roll the hoop using the control stick.

Description

A hoop rolling game with an extendible, interchangeable control stick

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a hoop rolling game for children and adults, with an extendible, interchangeable control stick for ease of use.

[2] Rolling a hoop, also known as trundling a hoop, has been a popular game for young and old for centuries. From ancient Greece to Victorian England, people have entertained themselves by rolling a simple hoop with a straight stick.

[3] In recent years, rolling a hoop has become popular once again and many contemporary improvements have been made. For example, CN2320299 to Wang discloses a hoop rolling game where the stick used to roll the hoop comprises a number of bells, to make a noise when playing. US4085541 to Mapp discloses a similar game where the rolling hoop contains a number of light bulbs that light up when the hoop is rolled.

[4] Recognising the difficulty of the game, particularly for young children, some instances of prior art have attempted to make it easier to play. US3820277 to Beaver discloses a hoop rolling game where the stick includes a braking mechanism, to stop the hoop should it get out of hand.

US5989097 to Lebedz discloses a game where the stick for rolling the hoop is shaped with a curve to receive the hoop, making it much easier to balance.

[5] Whilst this prior art does make the game easier for children, it does not address the serious issue of the differences between child and adult play. The products disclosed by the prior art may be used by children, but would be too simple for an adult, giving the product a restricted period of use.

[6] One major difference between adults and children is height -generally, adults are taller than children. However, in each of these hoop rolling games, the control stick used to roll the hoop is one size that cannot be altered. The stick must therefore either be too long for children, making it much more difficult for them to balance the hoop, or too short for adults, requiring them to bend over to roll the hoop.

Brief Simmary of the Invention [7] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a hoop rolling game where the stick may be adjusted to make the game easier or more difficult, and suitable for both children and adults. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for such a game.

[8] To this end, disclosed is a hoop rolling apparatus with an extendible, interchangeable control stick, comprising: a hoop for rolling; and a control stick having a telescopic stick body and interchangeable attachments to receive the hoop.

[9] The user selects the correct length of the control stick relative to their height, and adjusts the control stick to this length. The user then selects the desired attachment for receiving the hoop for their level of difficulty -a less curved attachment for greater difficulty, or a more curved attachment for less difficulty. The attachment is then connected to one end of the control stick.

[10] The user may then place the attachment around the hoop, and roll the hoop using the control stick.

[11] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows people of any height to use the hoop rolling game.

[12] A further advantage is that the difficulty level of the game may be adjusted, depending the age and ability of the person playing.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [13] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [14] Figure one shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the hoop.

[15] Figure two shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the hoop.

[16] Figure three shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the control stick with an attachment to make the game easier.

[17] Figure four shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the control stick with an attachment to make the game more difficult.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[18] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figures one, two, three and four in which like numerals refer to like components, a hoop rolling apparatus with an extendible, interchangeable control stick is disclosed, comprising: a hoop for rolling 100; and a control stick 300 having a telescopic stick body 301 and interchangeable attachments 302, 401 to receive the hoop.

[19] The hoop for rolling 100 comprises a tyre 101 similar to that of a bicycle formed with a rubber tread, attached to a circular rim 201 made, for example, of plastic, metal or carbon fibre.

[20] The tyre 101 may be contained within two circular hoop casings 102, ideally formed of a plastic such as polypropylene. The casings 102 are positioned on either side of the tyre 101, with the tyre tread exposed to make contact with the ground.

[21] The drawings show a possible third component of the hoop body 100, a further hoop 103 fitted to the inner circumference of the circular hoop rim 201. This hoop 103 may be formed of a transparent plastic, and holds a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs)202 and a battery casing 203 to receive batteries to power the LEDs 202. The LEDs 202 may be operated by a tilt switch 204, so that they turn on and light up when the hoop is rolled.

[22] The control stick 300 comprises a main stick body 301 having two hollow sections, which combine to make the stick telescopically extendible. The inner section includes a spring-loaded adjustment button, and the outer section includes a series of apertures to receive the adjustment button. To adjust the length of the control stick 300, the user presses in the adjustment button and telescopically extends the stick. When the stick has reached the desired length, the adjustment button springs into the associated aperture, locking the two sections in place.

[23] The control stick main body 301 may be formed of a strong, rigid metal such as steel, or a plastic such as polypropylene. Alternatively, any other suitably rigid, child-safe material known in the art may be used.

[241 A number of interchangeable attachments 302, 401 for receiving and guiding the hoop 100 may be provided to connect to the stick body 301. Again, these may be formed of a strong, rigid metal such as steel, or a plastic such as polypropylene, or any other suitable material known in the art. The attachments are shaped to slot into the opening at each end of the hollow stick body 301, holding them in place.

[25] One attachment 302, shown in figure three, may be provided that is shaped to curve around the hoop 100, providing maximum guidance for the hoop 100 and making the game much easier.

[26] When the user has mastered the game with this attachment, it may be removed and another attachment fitted. A second attachment 401, shown in figure four, may be provided that is shaped in a shallower curve, providing less guidance for the hoop 100 and thus making the game more difficult.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

[27] The user should select the desired length for the control stick 300 and slide the two sections of the stick body 301 until the desired length is reached. The adjustment button of the inner section should be engaged in the associated aperture on the outer section, locking the two in place.

[28] The user should then select the desired interchangeable attachment 302, 401 for their skill level, and slot this onto the opening at the end of stick body 301.

[29] The user then stands the hoop 100 upright on the ground, and positions the curve of the attachment 302, 401 around the hoop 100. The user then pushes the stick 300, rolling the hoop 100.

Claims (7)

1. Claims 1. A hoop rolling apparatus with an extendible interchangeable control stick comprising: a hoop for rolling; a control stick having a telescopic stick body and interchangeable attachments to receive said hoop.
2. 2. The hoop rolling apparatus of the preceding claim where said hoop for rolling comprises a rubber tyre tread.
3. 3. The hoop rolling apparatus of any preceding claim where said hoop for rolling comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
4. 4. The hoop rolling apparatus of any preceding claim where said light emitting diodes are powered by a battery pack and a tilt switch.
5. 5. The hoop rolling apparatus of any preceding claim where said control stick comprises a spring-loaded adjustment button to adjust its length.
6. 6. The hoop rolling apparatus of any preceding claim with a said interchangeable attachment formed into a deep curve.
7. 7. The hoop rolling apparatus of any preceding claim with a said interchangeable attachment formed into a shallow curve.