US3892084A

US3892084A - Play hoop

Info

Publication number: US3892084A
Application number: US413899A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stefan Hanysz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-11-08
Filing date: 1973-11-08
Publication date: 1975-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-01

Abstract

A play hoop having a triple function, namely as a ''''hula hoop, '''' or as a ''''trundle toy,'''' or as a ''''wheel of fortune,'''' the hoop provided with a pair of annular members in a mutually concentric relation defining an outer and an inner annular member and provided with means whereby the annular members may be capable of independent rotary shifting movement relative to each other depending upon which of the above three functions an individual wishes to use the hoop at any particular point of time.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hanysz 1 PLAY HOOP [75 Inventor: Stefan Hanysz, Chicago, Ill. [73] Assignee: Stefan Hanysz, Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 413,899

[52] US. Cl. .1 46/114; 46/220 [51] Int. Cl A63h 5/00 [58] Field of Search 46/220, 114-, 273/142 E, 273/142 HA, 142 A1 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 168,274 9/1875 Miller 273/142 1A 629,046 7/1899 Osman 273/142 HA 1150,3011 3/1939 Walker 273/142 HA 3,233.36] 2/1966 Conaghzm 46/114 1 1 July 1,1975

Edwards 46/220 Thorstad 46/1 14 Primary Examiner Antonio F. Guida Assistant Examiner.1. Q. Lever [57] ABSTRACT A play hoop having a triple function, namely as a hula hoop," or as a trundle toy, or as a wheel of fortune," the hoop provided with a pair of annular members in a mutually concentric relation defining an outer and an inner annular member and provided with means whereby the annular members may be capable of independent rotary shifting movement relative to each other depending upon which of the above three functions an individual wishes to use the hoop at any particular point of time.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SHEET HE -FD JUL LUJUILJ L lLa PLAY HOOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to toy devices and more particularly to a novel and improved play hoop which may be used in any of three different ways, namely. as a hula hoop," as a trundle toy," and as a wheel of fortune.

2. Description of the Prior Art Play hoops of various sizes and configurations are known in the prior art for use with a stick or the like for the rolling of the hoop along the ground or to perform tricks or the like with the hoop, but such hoops have only a single function so that children soon tire of the same such that after playing for a limited time therewith the hoop is soon discarded in favor of other toys or games.

While prior art devices have attempted to enhance the utilization of such hoops by adding noise making devices thereto, battery operated lights, rolling balls and spheres, and the like, such have not actually enhanced the same as a child playing therewith tires of the same almost as quickly as if such gimmickry were not provided thereon.

It would thus be desirable to provide a play hoop which would maintain a childs interest over an extended period of time and thus keep the child assumed in the play therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomes all of the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available play hoops by providing a novel play hoop structure in the form of a hoop embodying an outer and an inner annular member which are arranged in concentric mutual relationship to each other and which are provided with means such that the annular members may be capable of independent rotary shifting movement relative to each other.

Further, the present invention provides a novel play hoop of the type hereinabove indicated and having means therein provided such that the hoop may have a triple function and use for the child, namely, it may be used as a hula hoop," as a trundle toy," and also as a wheel of fortune.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a play hoop having a suitable mechanism mounted thereon to permit the spinning or rotary shifting of one of a pair of concentric annular members with relationship to another one of the annular members.

A further feature of the present invention provides a play hoop which is possessed of the least number of parts when considering the numerous uses to which the hoop may be put and the ease of interchangability with which the hoop may be changed from one use to another.

A further feature of the present invention provides a resilient prong radially depending from the outer annular member of the hoop, and a plurality of lateral projections extending from the inner annular member of the hoop such that the prong may be capable of riding upon the projections for the purpose of generating a rattling type noise when the outer annular member is rolled along a floor or sidewalk such as when the hoop is pushed along such surface by a suitable stick or handle which is engaged with the inner annular member of the hoop.

Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision ofa play hoop having a plurality of segmental sections which are distinguished from each other either by various colors or by different numerical indicia which are disposed upon one of the lateral faces of the inner annular member such that when a rotary spinning movement is imparted to the inner annular member with relationship to the outer annular member when the aforementioned prong may be caused to rest along any one of the segmental sections when the inner annular member comes to rest, this defining a wheel of fortune" whereby a certain value indicated by the color or numerical indicia at which the prong comes to rest may be credited to the score of a player who effected the spinning of the inner annular member, the various players rotating in sequence to take turns to rotate the inner annular member during each of their turns.

Yet still further feature of the present invention provides a play hoop having a suitable mechanism associated with the handle which is connected to the inner annular member such that the handle may be rendered operative or inoperative depending upon any particular given use to which the hoop is put at any given time and without the necessity of having to attach or detach the handle from or with the inner annular member.

The provision of a play hoop, such as briefly outlined above, and possessing the stated features and advantages, constitutes the principal features and advantages of the present invention. The provision of a play hoop which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand rough usage; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are among the desirable features and advantages which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descrip tion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of the play hoop constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary back elevational view of the play hoop of FIG. 1 illustrating the back thereof which is opposite to that as illustrated in FIG. I; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the prong retaining plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a play hoop constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and embodying an outer annular member and an inner annuler member 11. Made upon the inner face of the outer annular member 10, and centrally thereof, is a continuous channel 12, which, on transverse cross section, is of a substantially conical shape, with its wider end opening upon the inner face of the outer annular member 10. For the purpose of strengthening the construction of the outer annular member 10, and for providing a rigid smooth track for guiding the rotary shifting movement of the inner annular member I], the channel 12 is provided with a channel lining 13, from the free ends of which integrally formed flanges 14 extend in opposite directions. The flanges 14 are superimposed in a contactual relation upon the inner face of the outer annular member 10, adjacent its side margins, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

For the purpose of fashioning the channel 12, and inserting therewithin the lining 13, the outer annular member 10 may be initially formed out of a pair of sections 15, ultimately joined by cementitious material applied to the adjacent radially longitudinal faces 16, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The shoe face of the outer annular member 10 may be provided with treads 17 for effecting a surface engaging means when the outer annular member 10 is rolled upon a surface such as floor or sidewalk.

The inner annular member 11, upon its outer face, is provided with at least three integrally formed and radially projecting lugs 18 which are in a mutual alignment, and in a transverse central relation with respect to the inner annular member 11, as is seen in FIG. 2. Preferably the lugs 18 are in an equidistant relation.

The outer free end of each of the lugs 18 is provided with a substantially semi-spherical depression 19 for providing a seat for an anti-friction ball 20, shown in FIG. 2, which ball may be made either of steel or hard plastic material. The several balls 20 are in a contactual relation with the inner end bottom of channel lining 13, such that the annular members 10 and I] may be guided in their rotary shifting movement, one independently of the other.

It is noted that the outer annular member 10 is made of a hard, preferably plastic material, while the inner annular member 11 is preferably made ofa softer plastic material, such that a portion of the inner annular member 11 disposed adjacent each of the lugs 18 may be manually bent towards the center of the hoop, this being as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. I, for the purpose of permitting the insertion of the free end of each of the lugs I8, with its cooperating ball 20 within the bottom end of the channel lining 13. The first of the lugs 18 is inserted within the channel lining l3 normally without deflecting the portion of the inner annular member 11 adjacent that lug 18, then in succession, the portion of the inner annular member 11 adjacent the second of the the lugs 18 is manually depressed to facilitate the insertion of that lug within the channel lining l3, and finally the area of the inner annular member 11, adjacent the third lug 18 is depressed towards the center of the hoop so as to facilitate insertion of that latter lug 18 within channel lining I3. The inner annular member 1] is sufficiently resilient not only to permit the depression of the adjacent portion thereof to each of the lugs 18, but also to permit springing back of the depressed portion of the inner annular member 11 to its original annular shape. as is seen in full lines in FIG. I.

It is further noted that the inner annular member 11 has a smaller width than the width of the outer annular member 10, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Embedded within the body of the inner annular member ll, adjacent the outer rim portion thereof, and laterally projecting therefrom is a plurality of equidistant pegs 21, which extend throughout the entire circumference of the inner annular member II. The pegs 21 are preferably made of hard plastic material. The outer free ends of the pegs 21 do not extend beyond the plane coinci dental with the adjacent side face of the outer annular member 10, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The pegs 21 extend only from one side of the inner annular member 11.

Made upon the inner rim portion of the outer annular member 10 is an oblong recess for receiving therewithin in a strong frictional relation an oblong block 22, which longitudinally is made arcuate to correspond to the arc of the inner face of the outer annular member 10. The adjacent flange I4 is correspondingly recessed to accommodate the lower portion of the block 22. Laterally extending from the bottom portion of the block 22 is a pair of hooks 23, one adjacent each end of the block 22, the vertical portions of which hooks 23 project beyond the plane coincidental with the adjacent side of the outer annular member 10 for the purpose of providing lateral and bottom support for the ends of an oblong plate 24, as best seen in FIG. 4. Centrally of the plate 24 an integrally formed oblong enlargement 25 is made, which enlargement, upon one of its faces is provided with a transverse recess 26.

Oppositely of the recess 26 a similar recess is made upon the adjacent face of block 22 in a transverse relation, or in a radial relation with respect to the hoop The two recesses receive the thicker end of tapering prong 27.

Normally the plate 24 is of an arcuate formation, as is seen in FIG. 6, but when the plate 24 is received behind the hooks 23 the former tends to assume a straight formation, as is seen in FIG. 4, for the purpose of imparting to the plate 24 a strong clamping action through the enlargement 25, in cooperation with the adjacent face of the block 22, upon the thicker end of the prong 27 for supporting the latter in a radial relation with the hoop, as best seen in FIG. I. By virtue of this arrangement the narrower free end of the prong 27 is supported in a transverse relation with the plane extended through all of the pegs 21 in a circumferential relation with the inner annular member I], as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. From the construction described it will be clear that when a rotary shifting movement is imparted to either the outer annular member 10 or to the inner annular member 11, with relation to the other, the free tapered end of prong 27 will be caused to ride upon the pegs 21 to bring about a rattling noise similar to that caused by a stick shifted along a picket fence. Prong 27 may be made of any suitable material, resilient in its nature, such as plastic, which may be capable of easy riding upon the pegs 21 when the latter shift past the free end of the prong 27, and which may permit the prong 27 to assume its normal radial position with relation to the hoop, as shown in FIG. 1. When the free end of the prong 27 becomes worn then the prong may be easily replaced upon removal of plate 24 from its engagement by hooks 23.

Pivotally mounted upon pivot pin 28, on the opposite face of the inner annular member 1] is handle 29, provided at it free end with a hand piece 30, whereby the handle 29 may be manually pressed for the purpose of pushing the hoop along a surface such as a floor or sidewalk. The handle 29 is made of a metallic springy material, and provided intermediate its ends with elbow 31, seen in FIG. 2, whereby the handle 29 by its portion past the elbow 31, in the direction of hand piece 30, may be brought out of the plane coincidental with the plane of the adjacent side of the outer annular member 10, in order that the handle 29 may not interfere with the operation of the hoop as the latter is being pushed along a surface. The pivot pin 28 is made sufficiently loose so as to permit annular shifting of the handle 29 away from the adjacent face of the inner annular member 11, with which the handle 29 is connected. Another pin 32, laterally extending from that face of the inner annular member 11, is provided, to be engaged by a clamp plate 33 which is removably affixed to the handle 29. A third pin 34 laterally projects from the same face of the inner annular member 11, and still another pin 35 laterally projects from the same face of the inner annular member II.

On removal of clamp plate 33 handle 29 is capable of assuming a range of angular positions indicated in FIG. 1, so that the hoop may be pushed forwardly either from one or the opposite peripheral side of the hoop. When the plate 33 is in an operative engagement with pin 32, as shown in FIG. 5, handle 29 will become fixed to the inner annular member 11 and incapable of angular shifting movement upon pivot 28. Whether the handle 29 is fixed to the inner annular member 11 by means of pivot 28 and pin 32, through the engagement with the latter by means of clamping plate 33, or whether the clamping plate 33 is removed and handle 29 is solely connected with the inner annular member ll, through pivot 28, in either event the handle 29, when out of engagement by

pins

34 and 35, will provide means whereby a pushing force against the inner annular member It will be provided, for causing the rotary shifting movement of the outer annular member to rotate with relation to the inner annular member 11, thereby causing the prong 27 to ride upon pegs 21 to bring about a rattling noise. In this instance the hoop will have the use of a Trundle Toy.

Due to the resilient nature of handle 29 the same may be rendered inoperative, and brought to the position indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 5. In that latter position pin 34 constitutes a stop by means of which handle 29 is capable of bending, in order to bring the free end of the handle 29, adjacent the hand piece 30, under pin 35. In that inoperative position the free end of the handle 29 is tucked under the pin 35 in order to maintain the handle 29 and its hand piece 30 within the confines of the area defined by the adjacent side face of the inner annular member II. Due to the loose connection of the handle 29 with pivot 28, as well as due to elbow 3l, handle 29 is capable of being flexed towards the adjacent face of the inner annular member 1 I to be engaged by the

pins

34 and 35 for maintaining the handle 29 in its inoperative position and completely out of the transverse juxtaposition with relation with the outer annular member 10, seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, as well as in FIG. 2. Once the handle 29 is brought to its inoperative position hereinabove described, the hoop will then be capable for use as 21 Wheel Of Fortune.

In connection with the latter use of the hoop a plurality of segmental sections are delineated by means of marked lines 36 upon the side face of the inner annular member 11, from which the pegs 21 project. There are twelve of such segments made upon the face of the inner annular member 11 as marked off by the transverse mark lines 36 made upon that face of the inner annular member 11, as is seen in FIG. 1.

Obviously, there may be a greater or lesser number of the segmental sections than twelve. Each of the segmental sections is painted with a different color, and in addition carries a numerical indicia, in succession from number 1, as at 37, up to the highest number, in this instance number 12, depending upon the number of segmental sections that are marked off or delineated upon the side face of the inner annular member 11. The numerical indicia 37 upon the faces of the several of the segmental sections represent numerical value for each of the segmental sections when the hoop is used as a Wheel Of Fortune, as will be later apparent.

In the use of the hoop as a wheel of fortune a number of players or contestants may participate. In this use of the hoop the handle 29 is rendered inoperative. Each player in succession manually presses the outer annular member I0 at a point of its periphery which is diametrically perpendicular to a floor or any other surface for the purpose of rendering the outer annular member 10 stationary. This accomplished, the player, with his other hand, imparts a spinning thrust to the inner annular member 11, thereby causing a rotary shifting movement of the inner annular member 11 with relation to the outer annular member 10. During the rotary shifting movement of the inner annular member ll imparted thereto in the manner stated, the several pegs 21 will ride past the free end of prong 27, intermittently deflecting the free end of the prong 27 from the path of the pegs 2] and intermittently causing the free end ofthe prong 27 to fall back into the path of the pegs 21, thereby effecting a rattling sound, as was already mentioned. Eventually the inner annular member 1], due to the spent inertia thereof, will come to a stop, with the free end of the prong 27 coming to rest between a pair of pegs 21, oppositely of one of the several segmental sections, indicated by one of the several numerical indicia 37.

The prong 27 coming to rest between a pair of adjacent pegs 21 between which the mark line 36 is located, is declared as having stopped upon the field of the segmental section within which the free end of the prong 27 has become squarely located. Each player keeps a score record, indicating thereon all numbers as indicated by indicia 37 at which the prong 27 had come to rest. At the end of the game each player adds his score numbers, and the one receiving the highest sum of numbers is declared the winner.

From the hereinabove description it will be reasdily apparent that: I) when the hoop is used as a Trundle Toy the outer annular member I0 is caused to spin around the inner annular member 11, and (2) when the hoop is used as a Wheel Of Fortune the inner annular member 11 is caused to spin inwardly of the outer annular member I0. In either case the rotary shifting movement of one annular member with relation to the other is guided by the channel lining I3 and the several anti-friction balls 20 which rotate upon their seats I9 and upon the bottom of the channel lining 13.

The final use of the present hoop is as a Hula Hoop," in which the inner annular member 1] is placed around a persons waist, with the person using the same attempting to maintain the hoop as long as possible while the usual body side gyrations are made by the person. In this use of the hoop the handle 29 is also rendered inoperative. In this use of the hoop there is no particular need for spinning one of the annular members with relation to the other, and normally both of the annular members 10 and II would spin in unison around the users body, In this use of the hoop there is no particular object in having the several pegs 2I shift past the free end of the prong 27 to create a rattling noise, although it is possible that this would be effected due to the fact that the inner annular member I I being nearest to a persons body, and thereby subjected to the circumferential thrusts would cause pegs 21 to shift past prong 27 to create a rattling sound.

Affixed to the inner face of the inner annular member 11 is a plurality of pads 38, made of soft rubber or like material, for the purpose of enhancing friction as the pads come in contact with a person's clothing while the hoop is used as a Hula Hoop," thereby retarding shifting of the hoop from a persons body in a down ward direction thus retaining the hoop in an encompassing relation with the person s body as long as possible.

It is further observed that in connection with the use of the play hoop as a Wheel Of Fortune herein-above indicated. a modified use thereof for that purpose may include the employment of as many of the hoops as there are players. each to manipulate one of the play hoops. The modified use ofthe play hoop contemplates employment of handle 29 with each hoop. brought to its extended operative position. The participants may agree upon a predetermined distance on a sidewalk or any surface along which the play hoop is to be pushed by each participant. When the end of the agreed dis tance has been reached. with both annular members 10 and II having come to rest, with the prong 27 coming to rest along one of the several sections marked off by lines 36. the value as determined by the value indicia 37 upon the section at which prong 27 has come to rest is noted. The participant in the play obtaining the highest number in the contest is then declared the winner.

In the first mentioned use of the play hoop as a Wheel Of Fortune one single play hoop may be used, wherein the rotary spinning motion of one of the annular memhers is manually imparted. In the last hereinabove mentioned use of the play hoop as a Wheel Of Fortune as many hoops are used as there are are particpants, one hoop for each of them. In the latter use of the play hoops each is propelled by means of handle 29 for the purpose of imparting rotary spinning motion for the outer annular member 10 with relation to the inner annular member 1].

It is further noted that in order to prevent accidental springing of handle 29 from its inoperative position, pin 35 may be provided with a hook at its outer end behind which the handle 29 may be retained. In the alterna tive, the pin 39 may be provided with a depression intermediately of its ends within which handle 29 may fit while the same is held in its inoperative position shown by dotted lines in FIGS 1 and S.

It is further observed that when the play hoop is used as a Wheel Of Fortune, the prong 27 functions as a pointer or indicator to indicate the value of the wheel section at which the prong 27 came to rest, as determined by the value indicia 37.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

I. A play hoop comprising a pair of annular members in a mutually concentric relation, and providing a cen tral opening of a size to accomodate the body of a person playing therewith, said annular members being capable of rotary spinning motion one independently of the other, means for guiding the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with relation to the other of said annular members, a plurality of spaced pegs extending throughout the entire circumference of one of said annular members and extending in a lateral direction from said annular member, and a prong mounted upon the other of said annular members, said prong being in a radial relation with both of said annti lar members and having its free end extending within the plane defined by said pegs whereby a rattling sound may be produced when said free end of said prong rides upon said pegs when one of said annular members is caused to rotatably spin with relation to the other of said annular members.

2. A play hoop as set forth in claim I further comprising the adjacent opposed walls of said annular members being in a spaced relation, an opposed wall in one of said annular members being provided with a continu ous channel extending in a circumferential relation with one of said annular members, a plurality of spaced lugs extending from the opposed wall of the other of said annular members, and said lugs entering said channel for guiding the rotary spinning motion ofone of said annular members with relation to the other when a rotary spinning motion is induced thereto.

3. A play hoop as set forth in claim I wherein said an nular member comprises an inner annular member and an outer annular member which are in relation and providing a central opening of a size to accomodate the body of a person playing therewith, said outer annular member by its outer rim wall being capable of engaging a supporting surface for supporting thereon the play hoop in a vertical position, a handle engaged with said inner annular member, said handle being capable of imparting a bodily push to the play hoop for thereby inducing a rotary spinning motion to said outer annular member around said inner annular member by virtue of the engagement of the outer rim wall of said outer annular member with the supporting surface, means for guiding said outer annular member in its rotary spin ning motion around said inner annular member, said plurality of spaced pegs being arranged in a circumferential relation with said inner annular member and laterally extending therefrom, and said prong mounted by one of its ends upon said outer annular member with the free end of said prong normally extending within the plane defined by said pegs, and said prong being of a resilient nature permitting said free end thereof to ride upon said pegs on induction of a rotary spinning motion to said outer annular member around said inner annular member thereby effecting said rattling sound.

4. A play hoop as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of spaced pegs are set upon a circle coextensively with said inner annular memberv 5. A play hoop as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pegs are in a mutually spaced relation and arranged in a circle coextensive with the circle defined by said inner annular member.

6. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 further comprising said plurality of pegs extending from one lateral side of one of said annular members, said pegs being in a mutually spaced relation and arranged in a circle coextensive with the circle defined by said latter annular member, said lateral side of said latter annular member throughout its extent being divided into a plurality of visual sections, value indicating indicia superimposed upon each of said sections, said prong mounted by one of its ends upon the other of said annular members. means for inducing a rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other of said annular members, said free end of said prong normally extending within the plane of the circle defined by said pegs, said prong being of a resilient nature permitting the free end thereof to flex out of the said plane on operation of said means for causing the free end of said prong to ride upon the circle defined by said pegs for thereby effecting a rattling sound during the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other on operation of said means, and when the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other has ceased due to the spent inertia the free end of said prong being adapted to re-enter the plane of the circle defined by said pegs and to stop along one of the several of said sections for indicating the value as determined by the value indicating indicia carried by the given section.

7. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 further comprising one of said annular members being adapted for manual turning for inducing thereto a rotary spinning motion with respect to the other of said annular members, said guiding means guiding said first named annular member in its rotary spinning motion with respect to the other of said annular members, said plurality of pegs extending from one lateral side of one of said annular members with said pegs being in a mutually spaced relation and arranged in a circle coextensive with the circle defined by said annular member, a plurality of visual sections made upon said lateral side of said peg carrying annular member throughout the circle defined thereby, value indicating indicia superimposed upon each of said sections, and said prong defining an indicator rigidly affixed by one of its ends to the other of said annular members, said indicator being of a resilient nature for permitting the opposite free end thereof to normally extend within the plane of the circle defined by said pegs, during the rotary spinning motion of said first named annular member the free end of said indicator being capable of flexing out of said plane and of riding upon the circle defined by said pegs, when the rotary spinning motion of said first named annular member has ceased due to the spent inertia thereof the free end of said indicator being adapted to reenter the said plane and to stop along one of the several of said sections for indicating the value as determined by the value indicia carried by the given section.

8. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said annular members being wider and the other being narrower on a transverse plane, the wider of said annular members defining a side portion extending in a lateral direction from the plane coextensive with one side of the narrower of said annular members, said plurality of spaced pegs extending from one side of the narrower of said annular members throughout the entire circumference of the latter, the side portion of the wider of said annular members being in an overhanging relation with said pegs, and said prong depending from said side portion of the wider of said annular members in a radial relation with said annular members.

9. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of annular members comprises an outer annular member and an inner annular member, said outer annular member by its outer rim wall being capable of en gaging a supporting surface for supporting thereon the play hoop in a vertical position, one of said annular members being wider and the other being narrower on a transverse plane, the wider of said annular members defining a portion extending in a lateral direction from the plane coextensive with one side of the narrower of said annular members, said plurality of spaced pegs arranged in a circumferential relation with the narrower of said annular members and laterally extending therefrom, said side portion of the wider of said annular members being in an overhanging aligned relation with said pegs, said prong mounted by one of its ends upon said side portion of the wider of said annular members in a radial relation with the latter, said free end of said prong normally extending within the plane defined by said pegs, a handle engaged with the side of said inner annular member opposite from that at which said pegs and said prong are located whereby on application of a push to said handle said outer annular member due to its frictional contact with said supporting surface and being capable of a rotary spinning motion around said inner annular member will effect the free end of said prong to ride upon said pegs to generate a rattling sound.

Claims

1. A play hoop comprising a pair of annular members in a mutually concentric relation, and providing a central opening of a size to accomodate the body of a person playing therewith, said annular members being capable of rotary spinning motion one independently of the other, means for guiding the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with relation to the other of said annular members, a plurality of spaced pegs extending throughout the entire circumference of one of said annular members and extending in a lateral direction from said annular member, and a prong mounted upon the other of said annular members, said prong being in a radial relation with both of said annular members and having its free end extending within the plane defined by said pegs whereby a rattling sound may be produced when said free end of said prong rides upon said pegs when one of said annular members is caused to rotatably spin with relation to the other of said annular members.

2. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the adjacent opposed walls of said annular members being in a spaced relation, an opposed wall in one of said annular members being provided with a continuous channel extending in a circumferential relation with one of said annular members, a plurality of spaced lugs extending from the opposed wall of the other of said annular members, and said lugs entering said channel for guiding the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with relation to the other when a rotary spinning motion is induced thereto.

3. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular member comprises an inner annular member and an outer annular member which are in relation and providing a central opening of a size to accomodate the body of a person playing therewith, said outer annular member by its outer rim wall being capable of engaging a supporting surface for supporting thereon the play hoop in a vertical position, a handle engaged with said inner annular member, said handle being capable of imparting a bodily push to the play hoop for thereby inducing a rotary spinning motion to said outer annular member around said inner annular member by virtue of the engagement of the outer rim wall of said outer annular member with the supporting surface, means for guiding said ouTer annular member in its rotary spinning motion around said inner annular member, said plurality of spaced pegs being arranged in a circumferential relation with said inner annular member and laterally extending therefrom, and said prong mounted by one of its ends upon said outer annular member with the free end of said prong normally extending within the plane defined by said pegs, and said prong being of a resilient nature permitting said free end thereof to ride upon said pegs on induction of a rotary spinning motion to said outer annular member around said inner annular member thereby effecting said rattling sound.

4. A play hoop as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of spaced pegs are set upon a circle coextensively with said inner annular member.

5. A play hoop as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pegs are in a mutually spaced relation and arranged in a circle coextensive with the circle defined by said inner annular member.

6. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 further comprising said plurality of pegs extending from one lateral side of one of said annular members, said pegs being in a mutually spaced relation and arranged in a circle coextensive with the circle defined by said latter annular member, said lateral side of said latter annular member throughout its extent being divided into a plurality of visual sections, value indicating indicia superimposed upon each of said sections, said prong mounted by one of its ends upon the other of said annular members, means for inducing a rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other of said annular members, said free end of said prong normally extending within the plane of the circle defined by said pegs, said prong being of a resilient nature permitting the free end thereof to flex out of the said plane on operation of said means for causing the free end of said prong to ride upon the circle defined by said pegs for thereby effecting a rattling sound during the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other on operation of said means, and when the rotary spinning motion of one of said annular members with respect to the other has ceased due to the spent inertia the free end of said prong being adapted to re-enter the plane of the circle defined by said pegs and to stop along one of the several of said sections for indicating the value as determined by the value indicating indicia carried by the given section.

9. A play hoop as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of annular members comprises an outer annular member and an inner annular member, said outer annular member by its outer rim wall being capable of engaging a supporting surface for supporting thereon the play hoop in a vertical position, one of said annular members being wider and the other being narrower on a transverse plane, the wider of said annular members defining a portion extending in a lateral direction from the plane coextensive with one side of the narrower of said annular members, said plurality of spaced pegs arranged in a circumferential relation with the narrower of said annular members and laterally extending therefrom, said side portion of the wider of said annular members being in an overhanging aligned relation with said pegs, said prong mounted by one of its ends upon said side portion of the wider of said annular members in a radial relation with the latter, said free end of said prong normally extending within the plane defined by said pegs, a handle engaged with the side of said inner annular member opposite from that at which said pegs and said prong are located whereby on application of a push to said handle said outer annular member due to its frictional contact with said supporting surface and being capable of a rotary spinning motion around said inner annular member will effect the free end of said prong to ride upon said pegs to generate a rattling sound.