US20190291017A1

US20190291017A1 - Hoop and Stick Toy Combination

Info

Publication number: US20190291017A1
Application number: US15/935,698
Authority: US
Inventors: Abel Yohannes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-26
Filing date: 2018-03-26
Publication date: 2019-09-26

Abstract

A hoop and stick toy combination includes a hoop forming a closed circular loop of translucent material. Light emitters are positioned within an interior of the hoop such that an entirety of the hoop is illuminated when the light emitters emit light. A power source positioned within the hoop is electrically coupled to each of the light emitters. A rod is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The rod is tubular and is comprised of a translucent material. The rod has a bend therein positioned nearer to the second end than the first end. A catch is formed in the rod from the bend to the second end for engaging the hoop. A plurality of lights mounted in the rod illuminate the rod when turned on.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to hoop and stick play devices and more particularly pertains to a new hoop and stick play device for encouraging a child to roll a hoop over a ground surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a hoop forming a closed circular loop having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The hoop is comprised of a translucent material. Light emitters are positioned within an interior of the hoop and are spaced throughout the hoop such that an entirety of the hoop is illuminated when the light emitters emit light. A power source is positioned within the hoop and is electrically coupled to each of the light emitters. A rod is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The rod is tubular and is comprised of a translucent material. The rod has a bend therein positioned nearer to the second end than the first end and is linear from the first end to the bend to define a main portion of the rod. A catch is formed in the rod from the bend to the second end for engaging the hoop. The catch is U-shaped from the bend to the second end. A plurality of lights is mounted in the rod and is spaced throughout the rod from the first end to the second. A battery is electrically coupled to the lights. A switch is electrically coupled to the battery and the lights. The switch is actuated to turn the lights on or off.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hoop and stick toy combination according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new hoop and stick play device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the hoop and stick toy combination 10 generally comprises a hoop 12 forming a closed, circular loop having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The inner diameter is between 10.0 inches and 15.0 inches, the outer diameter is between 14.0 inches and 20.0 inches. The hoop 12 has an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16 with respect to an axis of the hoop 12. The outer surface 14 is convexly arcuate to facilitate the rolling of the hoop 12 along a ground surface. The hoop 12 comprises an outer tube 18 that forms a torus and thus the inner surface 16 may be convexly arcuate as well such that a cross-section of the hoop 12, as shown in FIG. 4, may be circular shaped. A diameter of outer tube may be between 1.0 inches and 3.0 inches. The outer tube 18 is rigid and comprised of a translucent material, which may be transparent, to allow light to travel through a wall of the outer tube 18. A frame 20 is positioned within the hoop 12 and extends throughout the interior of the hoop 12 to reinforce the hoop 12. The frame 20 includes an inner tube 22 spaced from the outer tube 18. A plurality of supports 24 is attached to the inner tube 22 and extends to the outer tube 18. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the supports 24 may each comprise a panel 26 attached to and extending away from the inner tube 22 and a pair of flanges 28 attached to and extending away from the panel 26 and positioned distal to the inner tube 22.
A plurality of light emitters 30 is positioned within an interior of the hoop 12. The light emitters 30 are spaced throughout the hoop 12 such that an entirety of the hoop 12 is illuminated when the light emitters 30 emit light. The light emitters 30 may comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs). A power source 32 is positioned within the hoop 12 and is electrically coupled to each of the light emitters 30. The power source 32 may comprise one or more batteries and an actuator may be provided to turn the light emitters 30 on or off. The light emitters 30 may be positioned on the support 20 and more particularly on the flanges 28 as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the power source 32 may be activated when the hoop 12 is rotated perpendicular to the axis, such as when it is being rolled along the ground surface. This may be achieved with a gravity switch that is activated when the centrifugal force of the hoop 12 rotating causes the gravity switch to move from an open position to a closed position and is biased, generally, into the open position. Another manner for powering the light emitters 30 is to place copper tubing 34 within the inner tube 22 and a magnetized sphere 36 positioned within the copper tubing 34. As the sphere 36 moves through the copper tubing 34, electricity is produced and stored in a capacitor 38. The electricity is then released from the capacitor to the light emitters 30. In this manner, no battery is needed and the light emitters 30 are only powered when the hoop 12 is being rotated.
A rod 40 is provided which is elongated and has a first end 42 and a second end 44. The rod 40 is tubular and is comprised of a rigid, translucent material that may be transparent. The rod 40 has a bend 46 therein positioned nearer to the second end 44 than the first end 42, though the rod 40 is linear from the first end 42 to the bend 46 and defines a main portion 48 of the rod 40. From the bend 46 to the second end 44, the rod 40 forms a catch 50 for engaging the hoop 12. The catch 50 is U-shaped from the bend 46 to the second end 44. More particularly, the catch 50 includes a first arm 52 extending downwardly from the bend 46, a central portion 54 is attached to the first arm 52 distal to the bend 46, and a second arm 56 extends upwardly from the central portion 54. The bend 46 forms an angle 58 between the first arm 52 and the main portion 48 that is between 70° and 90° and more preferably about 80° so that the catch 50 is slightly angled backwards toward the first end 42 as can be seen in FIG. 1. The main portion 48 has a length between 20.0 inches and 30.0 inches. The first 52 and second 56 arms each have a length between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches and the central portion 54 is arcuate and may form a half circle has a radius between 2.0 inches and 3.5 inches.
A plurality of lights 60 is mounted in the rod 40 and is spaced throughout the rod 40 from the first end 42 to the second 44 to illuminate the entire rod 40 when the lights 60 are turned on. The lights 60 may also comprise LED type lights. A bracing assembly 62 may be positioned within the rod 60 and may also include panels 64 and flanges 66 similar to those found in the hoop 12. The lights 60 may be mounted on the flanges 66. A handle 68 is attached to the first end 42. A battery 70, and perhaps a plurality of batteries, is mounted in the handle 68 and electrically couple to the lights 60. The handle 68 may include a removable cap section 69 to remove and replace the battery 70 as needed. A switch 72 is electrically coupled to the battery and the lights. The switch 72 is actuated to turn the lights 70 on or off. Additionally, a color switch 74 may be mounted on the handle 68 and electrically coupled to the lights 70. The lights 70 may include a plurality of different colored LEDs and the color switch 74 may be actuated to determine which colors are to be illuminated.
In use, the combination 10 is typically used by children who will use the rod 40 to engage the hoop 12 and cause the hoop 12 to roll over a ground surface. The child will run after the hoop 12, continuing to engage the hoop 12 with the catch 50 as needed to cause the hoop 12 to continue to roll. The catch 50 aids the child in engaging and altering the direction of the hoop 12 as needed. The light emitters 30 and lights 60 encourage the child to play with the combination 10 so that the child is entertained while exercising.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A toy kit configured to promote exercising, said toy kit comprising:

a hoop comprising a closed circular loop having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said hoop being comprised of a translucent material;

a frame being positioned within said hoop and extending throughout said an interior of said hoop, said frame reinforcing said hoop, said frame includes:

an inner tube spaced from an outer tube of said hoop, and

a plurality of supports being attached to said inner tube and extending to said outer tube, each support comprising

a panel attached to and extending away from the inner tube, and

a pair of flanges attached to and extending away from opposite respective sides of said panel such that each flange forms an acute angle with said panel, a junction between said panel and each said flange being spaced from a distal edge of said panel relative to said inner tube;

a plurality of light emitters being positioned within said interior of said hoop, said light emitters being spaced throughout said hoop such that an entirety of said hoop is illuminated when said light emitters emit light, said light emitters being positioned on said flanges of said supports;

a power source being positioned within said hoop and being electrically coupled to each of said light emitters;

a rod being elongated and having a first end and a second end, said rod being tubular and being comprised of a translucent material, said rod having a bend therein positioned nearer to said second end than said first end, said rod being linear from said first end to said bend and defining a main portion of said rod, said rod forming a catch from said bend to said second end for engaging said hoop, said catch being U-shaped from said bend to said second end;

a plurality of lights being mounted in said rod and being spaced throughout said rod from said first end to said second end;

a battery being electrically coupled to said lights; and

a switch being electrically coupled to said battery and said lights, said switch being actuated to turn said lights on or off.

2. The toy kit according to claim 1, wherein said inner diameter is between 10.0 inches and 15.0 inches, said outer diameter being between 14.0 inches and 20.0 inches.

3. The toy kit according to claim 1, wherein said hoop has an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to an axis of said hoop, said outer surface being convexly arcuate.

4. The toy kit according to claim 3, wherein said hoop comprises the outer tube forming a torus.

5. The toy kit according to claim 1, wherein said power source is activated when said hoop is rotated perpendicular to an axis of said hoop.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The toy kit according to claim 1, wherein said catch includes a first arm extending downwardly from said bend, a central portion being attached to said first arm distal to said bend, and a second arm extending upwardly from said central portion, said bend forming an angle between said first arm and said main portion being between 70° and 90°.

9. The toy kit according to claim 8, wherein said main portion has a length between 20.0 inches and 30.0 inches, said first and second arms each having a length between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches, said central portion being arcuate and forming a half circle having a radius between 2.0 inches and 3.5 inches.

10. The toy kit according to claim 1, further including a handle being attached to said first end, said battery being positioned within said handle and said switch being mounted on said handle.

11. A toy kit configured to promote exercising, said toy kit comprising:

a hoop comprising a closed circular loop having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said inner diameter being between 10.0 inches and 15.0 inches, said outer diameter being between 14.0 inches and 20.0 inches, said hoop having an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to an axis of said hoop, said outer surface being convexly arcuate, said hoop comprising an outer tube forming a torus, said outer tube being comprised of a translucent material;

a plurality of light emitters being positioned within an interior of said hoop, said light emitters being spaced throughout said hoop such that an entirety of said hoop is illuminated when said light emitters emit light;

a power source being positioned within said hoop and being electrically coupled to each of said light emitters, said power source being activated when said hoop is rotated perpendicular to said axis;

a frame being positioned within said hoop and extending throughout said interior of said hoop, said frame reinforcing said hoop, said frame including an inner tube spaced from said outer tube, and

a plurality of supports being attached to said inner tube and extending to said outer tube, said light emitters being positioned on said supports, each support comprising

a panel attached to and extending away from the inner tube,

a pair of flanges attached to and extending away from opposite respective sides of said panel such that each flange forms an acute angle with said panel, a junction between said panel and each said flange being spaced from a distal edge of said panel relative to said inner tube, and

said light emitters being positioned on said flanges of said supports;

a rod being elongated and having a first end and a second end, said rod being tubular and being comprised of a translucent material, said rod having a bend therein positioned nearer to said second end than said first end, said rod being linear from said first end to said bend and defining a main portion of said rod, said rod forming a catch from said bend to said second end for engaging said hoop, said catch being U-shaped from said bend to said second end, said catch including a first arm extending downwardly from said bend, a central portion being attached to said first arm distal to said bend, and a second arm extending upwardly from said central portion, said bend forming an angle between said first arm and said main portion being between 70° and 90°, said main portion having a length between 20.0 inches and 30.0 inches, said first and second arms each having a length between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches, said central portion being arcuate and forming a half circle having a radius between 2.0 inches and 3.5 inches;

a handle being attached to said first end;

a battery being positioned within said handle and being electrically coupled to said lights;