GB2607015A

GB2607015A - Antimicrobial skipping rope handle

Info

Publication number: GB2607015A
Application number: GB2107257.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sach Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-20
Filing date: 2021-05-20
Publication date: 2022-11-30
Also published as: GB202107257D0

Abstract

A skipping rope has handles formed from an inherently antimicrobial material consisting of copper or copper alloy. The handle may be formed by spinning and the surface may be roughened or knurled for grip.

Description

ANTIMICROBIAL SKIPPING ROPE HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to skipping ropes, also known as jump ropes, with antimicrobial handles.

[0002] Skipping ropes are popular both as toys and as serious sports and exercise equipment. In games and gym environments, many different people may use the same skipping rope, touching and holding the handles with sweaty hands. This is a problem for hygiene.

[0003] Copper and copper alloys are known to have antimicrobial properties. The surfaces of copper and its alloys, such as brass and bronze, have an inherent ability to kill a wide range of microbes within two hours. The number of copper alloys or compositions of copper alloys with known antimicrobial properties has increased over time, but a minimum copper content of 60% is generally required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a skipping rope handle formed from a material having antimicrobial properties consisting of copper or a copper alloy. A skipping rope embodying the invention comprises two such handles connected by a flexible cable. For example, the material forming the handles is an alloy comprising at least 60% copper or the handles consist of substantially pure copper. Embodiments of the invention advantageously provide a skipping rope where the handles are inherently antimicrobial, improving hygiene.

[0005] In one embodiment, the handle is formed by spinning the material forming the handle. A surface of each handle, particularly a surface adjacent where the cable meets the handle, is therefore smooth to reduce abrasion. A common source of failure of the connecting cable in a skipping rope is due to abrasion where the cable meets the handle. By spin forming the handles, this junction can be made very smooth, minimising abrasion.

[0006] In one embodiment, a grip or gripping surface of the handle is roughened, by knurling the gripping surface for example, to increase its surface area. Increasing the surface area increases the effectiveness of the antimicrobial effect of the copper or copper alloy handle. The gripping surface (i.e., where a user grips each handle) may be roughened by, for example, laser etching the handle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the handle substantially comprises a hollow tube, and an interior corner at an opening to the tube is rounded. In particular, the interior corner of an opening where the cable joins the handle is rounded to reduce abrasion between the cable and the handle. The rounded shape of the interior corner may be, for example, a substantially circular arc of approximately 90 degrees, or a quarter bullnose corner.

[0008] The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a skipping rope handle comprising spin forming the skipping rope handle from a material having antimicrobial properties consisting of copper or a copper alloy. A grip portion of the handle is roughened by laser etching to increase its surface area. A skipping rope is manufactured by joining two such handles by a flexible cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the invention and a description of various advantageous, alternative and optional features to aid understanding of the invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: [0010] Figure 1 shows a skipping rope handle; and [0011] Figure 2 shows a sectional view through a skipping rope handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A skipping rope or jump rope comprises two handles, such as the handle 110 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, connected by a flexible cable. The handle 110 generally comprises a head 130 where the cable connects to the handle 110 and a grip 140 where a user holds the handle 110.

[0013] Each handle 110 may be formed as a single piece or multiple pieces. In a simple design illustrated in the figures, for example, each handle consists of roughly cylindrical tube and includes optional ergonomically shaped features for improved grip. In a more complex design, each handle may be made in multiple pieces and the head 130 rotates relative to the grip portion 140 of the handle.

[0014] The handle 110 is inherently antimicrobial, being formed from copper or a suitable copper alloy consisting of at least 60% copper. Optionally, interior surfaces, or mechanisms or joints in multi-part handles, that are not touched by a user may be made from other materials.

[0015] The handle, in particular the head 130, is spun formed (as opposed to casting, for example) to ensure a smooth surface that reduces abrasion between the handle 110 and the cable. An interior corner of the opening to the head 130 where the cable enters the handle 110 is also rounded, avoiding sharp edges that may abrade the cable in use. The rounded shape is advantageously a quarter bullnose corner or a roughly circular arc subtending 90 degrees. The rounded interior corner also spreads the load on the cable over a larger area compared to a sharp corner, reducing strain on the cable that may shorten its lifespan. Also, copper or copper alloys forming the handle 110 are good conductors of heat. A build-up of heat can also damage the cable.

Effectively conducting heat away from the cable prevents the cable from getting too hot which may cause damage to it over time.

[0016] The grip 140 of the handle is optionally roughened or knurled after spin forming to increase its surface area and thereby create an improved antimicrobial surface. The grip 140 may be roughened by laser etching or any

suitable means.

[0017] The cable may be made from any suitable material, such as a twisted or braided rope of natural or artificial fibres, leather, a solid cord of PVC, Telfon (RTM) or other polymer, or a composite cord comprising a core or any suitable material coated with a protective polymer sheath.

[0018] The cable may connect to each handle 110 by any suitable means.

Complex connections include crimps and detents having adjustable screws for creating a secure connection. A typical connection for a tubular handle is to simply pass a first end of the cable into an opening at the head 130 of the handle, through the handle's bore and out of a tail of the handle 110. The diameter of at least a portion of the bore is only slightly larger than the diameter of the cable such that tying a knot in the first end of the cable prevents it from passing back through. The diameter of the bore may be constant for the whole length of the handle, but preferably the bore's diameter is constant from the head for a portion of the handle's length and then widens close to the tail. The knot in the cable is then hidden inside the wider section near the tail. Advantageously, the surface of the bore is smooth without any lips or edges that may snag or abrade the cable and, in particular, there is a smooth transition from the rounded opening at the head 130 leading into the bore.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A skipping rope handle formed from a material having antimicrobial properties consisting of copper or a copper alloy.
2. The skipping rope handle of claim 1 wherein the copper alloy comprises at least 60% copper.
3. The skipping rope handle of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the handle is formed by spinning the material forming the handle.
4. The skipping rope handle of any preceding claim where a grip of the handle is roughened to increase its surface area.
5. The skipping rope handle of claim 4 wherein the grip of the handle is roughened by laser etching.
6. The skipping rope handle of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the grip of the handle is roughened by knurling the grip.
7. The skipping rope handle of any preceding claim wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube, and an interior corner at an opening to the tube is rounded.
8. The skipping rope handle of claim 7 wherein the interior corner is rounded in the shape of a substantially circular arc.
9. A skipping rope comprising two skipping rope handles, each handle comprising a handle according to any preceding claim, joined by a flexible cable.
10. A method of manufacturing a skipping rope handle comprising: spin forming the skipping rope handle from a material haying antimicrobial properties consisting of copper or a copper alloy.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising roughening a grip portion of the handle to increase its surface area.
12. The method of claim 10 or 11 wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube, the method further comprising rounding an interior corner at an opening to the tube in the shape of a substantially circular arc.