WO2006098576A1

WO2006098576A1 - A hula hoop

Info

Publication number: WO2006098576A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/000901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Gak Kim
Original assignee: Kim, Yong, Up
Priority date: 2005-03-16
Filing date: 2006-03-14
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: US20090104840A1; KR20050081878A; KR100684078B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hula hoop, in which a main body is made of soft synthetic resin(semisolid) so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily turned over to the outside so as to be used for both of a hula hoop provided with the higher projections thereon and a hula hoop with the lower projections thereon, as desired, thereby providing an acupressure effect which cannot be easily be compared with that of the conventional hula hoop. That is, the original shape of the hula hoop of the present invention is maintained due to a certain degree of rigidities thereof, when it is not used. However, as the turning speed of the hula hoop is gradually becoming fast, the main body thereof is rotated along an elliptical orbit due to the flexibility and elasticity thereof, so that the turning radius of the hula hoop is increased to permit a larger number of projections coupled to the hula hoop to be in contact with the body of a user, as well as to permit the body to be more strongly oppressed, thereby causing an increase in an acupressure effect applied to the body.

Description

A HULA HOOP

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hula hoop, and in more particular, to a hula hoop, in which a main body is made of soft synthetic resin(semisolid) having a predetermined strength so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily turned over to the outside so as to be used for both a hula hoop provided with the higher projections thereon and a hula hoop provided with the lower projections thereon, as desired, thereby providing an acupressure effect which cannot be easily be compared with that of the conventional hula hoop. Background Art

[2] In general, the typical hula hoop is made of synthetic resin and comprises of a plurality of tubings which are strung together so as to form in a circular shape of the hula hoop. The typical hula hoop is adapted to be whirled around the waist of a user by twisting the hips of the user.

[3] That is, when the user turns round the hula hoop at his or her waist portion, the hula hoop is kept turning round and round due to the centrifugal force thereof. In this instance, the user have to keep twist her or his waist so as to maintain the turning of the hula hoop, thereby naturally achieving exercise effect for the waist and the legs and the like.

[4] However, since such hula hoop has an operation which makes the user exercise by a simple movement of the user, it cannot provide other health enhancement effect such as acupressure effect.

[5] Accordingly, a hula hoop, in which a plurality of projections are installed on the circumferential surface of the main body thereof so as to have an acupressure effect, has been developed recently, however, it could fail to provide an excellent acupressure effect to the user due to the simplification of acupressure function thereof.

[6] In other words, since the conventional hula hoop having acupressure effect is formed of synthetic resin having a certain degree of strength, it can assume a circular shape all the time, irrespective of when rotated or not. As a result, the hula hoop is always rotated in an identical orbit (a circular orbit), so that the waist portion of a user, which is closely contacted with the hula hoop, can be made constant, thereby causing a reduction in an acupressure effect thereto.

[7] In addition, since the form of the hula hoop having approximately a diameter of 1 meter is always fixed in the shape of a circle, it is possible to cause difficulties for the storage and carrying thereof. [8] Meanwhile, as for a plurality of projections, once they are coupled to the hula hoop, they are fixed as they are, so that the number and the protruded degree of the projections are always fixed, i.e. which cannot to be changed. Thereby, the number and the contact area of the projections to be in contact with the body of the user are made constant, so that the acupressure force applied to the user s body cannot be adjusted. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention has been made to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the conventional art, and it features that the main body thereof is made of soft synthetic resin(semisolid) having a predetermined strength, so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily turned over to the outside so as to be used for both a hula hoop provided with the higher projections thereon and a hula hoop provided with the lower projections thereon, as desired, and features that the unique coupling method of the projections is applied thereto, thereby providing an acupressure effect which cannot be easily be compared with that of the conventional hula hoop. Technical Solution

[10] As for the hula hoop according to the present invention, the original shape thereof is maintained due to a certain degree of rigidities thereof, when it is not used. However, as the turning speed of the hula hoop is gradually becoming fast, the main body thereof is rotated along an elliptical orbit due to the flexibility and elasticity thereof, so that the turning radius of the hula hoop is increased to permit a larger number of projections coupled to the hula hoop to be in contact with the body of a user, as well as to permit the body to be more strongly oppressed, thereby causing an increase in an acupressure effect applied to the body.

[11] The conventional hula hoop, for example as shown in FlG. 4, 10 is maintained in the original shape thereof even when rotated. On the other hand, the hula hoop of the present invention 1 is maintained in an elliptical shape thereof when rotated, thus resulting in obtaining an acupressure effect which cannot be easily be compared with that of the conventional hula hoop, as described above.

[12] Further, the inner circumferential surface of the main body of the hula hoop in accordance with the present invention is turned over to the outside due to the flexibility of the material thereof, so that the height of the projections to be in contact with the body of the user and the acupressure force can be adjusted. In other words, the inner circumferential surface of the main body is turned over to the outside to be inverted into the outer circumferential surface thereof, so that the height of the projections, which are installed on the inner and the outer circumferential surfaces thereof, re- spectively, can be changed into two types thereof, to thereby increase an acupressure effect applied to the body.

[13] In addition, the conventional hula hoop is fixed in the shape of a circle having approximately a diameter of 1 meter, however, since the hula hoop of the present invention can be collapsed (suitable to be collapsible in three folds) to reduce the diameter thereof by less than 30 centimeter, so that it can be put into a bag having a certain size, to thereby ensure high convenience in its storage and carrying.

[14] Further, the cross section of the main body has the shape similar to a rhombus, and whose color is transparent so that the surface of the main body can generate reflected light therefrom during its rotation around the wrist of the user, to thereby obtain an esthetic effect in its appearance. Advantageous Effects

[15] The hula hoop of the present invention features that the main body thereof is made of soft synthetic resin(semisolid) having a predetermined strength, so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily turned over to the outside so as to be used for both of a hula hoop installed with the higher projections thereon and a hula hoop with the lower projections thereon, as desired, and features that the unique coupling method of the projections is applied thereto, thereby allowing it to provide an acupressure effect which cannot be easily be compared with that of the conventional hula hoop.

[16] In other words, the original shape of the hula hoop of the present invention is maintained due to a certain degree of rigidities thereof, when it is not used. However, as the turning speed of the hula hoop is gradually becoming fast, the main body thereof is rotated along an elliptical orbit due to the flexibility and elasticity thereof, so that the turning radius of the hula hoop is increased to permit a larger number of projections coupled to the hula hoop to be in contact with the body of a user, as well as to permit the body to be more strongly oppressed, thereby causing an increase in an acupressure effect applied to the body.

[17] Further, the inner circumferential surface of the main body of the hula hoop according to the present invention is turned over to the outside due to the flexibility of the material thereof, so that the height of the projections to be in contact with the body of the user and the acupressure force can be adjusted. In other words, the inner circumferential surface of the main body is turned over to the outside to be inverted into the outer circumferential surface thereof, so that the height of the projections, which are installed on the inner and the outer circumferential surfaces thereof, respectively, can be changed into two types thereof, to thereby increase an acupressure effect applied to the body. [18] Meanwhile, a plurality of projections in accordance with the present invention are respectively coupled to the main body by an assembling method, so that the number of the projections can be changed, as desired. In this regard, it can be employed by fitting the projections into all the holes formed on the main body thereof. But depending on cases, it is used by eliminating all the projections. [19] In addition, the form of the conventional hula hoop is fixed in the shape of a circle having approximately a diameter of 1 meter, however, since the hula hoop of the present invention can be collapsed several times upon itself to reduce the diameter thereof by less than 30 centimeter, so that it can be put into a bag having a certain size, to thereby ensure high convenience in its storage and carrying. [20] Further, the cross section of the main body has the shape similar to a rhombus, and whose color is transparent so that the surface of the main body can generate reflected light therefrom during its rotation around the wrist of the user, to thereby obtain an esthetic effect in its appearance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the hula hoop according to the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the hula hoop of the FIG. 1 is turned over to the outside; [23] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where the form of the hula hoop of the present invention is changed in an elliptic shape thereof; [24] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the hula hoop of the present invention is used; [25] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the hula hoop according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; [26] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where the hula hoop of the FIG. 5 is turned over to the outside; [27] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the hula hoop according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; [28] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the hula hoop of the FIG. 7 is turned over to the outside; [29] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the hula hoop according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 10 is a part enlarged view of the hula hoop of the present invention;

[31] FIG. 11 is a part enlarged lateral view of the hula hoop of the present invention;

[32] FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a coupling state of the projections, which are components of the present invention. [33] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a projection of the components of the present invention is coupled to the main body of the hula hoop; and

[34] FlG. 14 is an exploded lateral view showing a coupling state of the projections, which are components of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[35] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

[36] As shown in the FlGs. 5 through 9, the main body 2 of the hula hoop 1 of the present invention is provided with a plurality of holes 8 formed along on the circular edge thereof, through which a plurality of projections 3 are coupled to the main body. In this instance, some of the plurality of projections 3 are constructed to be slightly protruded inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the main body 2 (assumed to be a lower height thereof), and the others are constructed to be substantially protruded inwardly from the same (assumed to be a higher height thereof). Also, the main body 2 of the hula hoop is made of soft synthetic resin, so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily inverted into the outer circumferential surface thereof.

[37] As for the projections 3 having such configuration described above, the main body

2 of the hula hoop is fit between the upper body 4 and the lower body 5 of the projections, and a bolt head portion 6 installed on the top of the upper body is securely screwed to the main body by a screw (7).

[38] Further, the bolt head portion 6 is constructed to be readily screwed by means of a copper coin and the like, which allows the user to easily assemble the hula hoop.

[39] Hereinafter, the present invention having such structure described above will be explained in more detail.

[40] The primary feature of the present invention resides in that the hula hoop is made of soft synthetic resin having a certain degree of strength so as to have flexibility and elasticity thereof, so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be readily turned over to the outside, which leads to maximize acupressure effect, and in that unique coupling configuration of the projections thereof is applied to the hula hoop, thereby providing various acupressure therapy. Such features described above are significantly different with those of the conventional hula hoop.

[41] The main body 2 of the hula hoop 1 of the present invention is provided with a plurality of holes 8 formed along on the circular edge thereof, through which a plurality of projections 3 are coupled to the main body.

[42] The projections 3 comprise an upper body 4 and a lower body 5 thereof. Further, a bolt head portion 6 installed on the top of the upper body is securely screwed to the main body of the hula hoop, after the main body 2 is fit between the upper body 4 and the lower body 5 of the projections.

[43] That is, two female screw portions, one which is formed on the inner periphery surface of the plurality of holes 8 provided on the main body 2 of the hula hoop and the other formed on the inner periphery surface of the lower body 5 of the projections 3, respectively, so that the projections 3 having a screw portion 7(male screw) formed below the bolt head portion 6 is screwed to the female screw portions thereof, to thereby be easily fastened to the main body by an assembling method.

[44] Meanwhile, the projections coupled to the main body is illustrated as 27 or 28 pieces as shown in the drawings, however, it is not limited by the number thereof. Also, the number of the projections, which are coupled to the main body by an assembling method, may be adjusted, as desired. In this regard, the projections 3 can be fit into all the holes formed on the main body thereof for use, but depending on cases, they can be eliminated from all the holes for use.

[45] Also, a separation distance between the projections and the height of the projections may be adjusted (shown in the FlG. 9), so that the number and the height of the projections can be adjusted, if necessary, and thus which allows the user to conveniently use the hula hoop of the present invention.

[46] Further, the main body of the hula hoop is turned over to the outside due to the flexibility of the material thereof, so that the height of the projections to be in contact with the body of the user and the acupressure force can be adjusted.

[47] In other words, the inner circumferential surface of the main body is turned over to the outside to be inverted into the outer circumferential surface thereof, so that the height of the projections, which are installed on the inner and the outer circumferential surfaces thereof, respectively, can be changed into two types thereof, to thereby increase an acupressure effect applied to the body.

[48] For example as shown in FlG. 5, 9 pieces of the projections, which are defined as one by one at every 3 pieces of the 27 pieces of the projections, are constructed to be slightly protruded inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the main body, and to be substantially protruded to the outside thereof. On the contrary, in case where the main body of the FlG. 5 is turned over to the outside, it is possible to obtain the reverse acupressure effect, in which the 9 pieces of the projections are constructed to be substantially protruded inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the main body, and to be slightly protruded to the outside thereof, as shown in the FlG. 6. Accordingly, in case where various preferred embodiments in the construction method for the projections of the present invention are provided, various acupressure effects can be obtained.

Claims

[1] A hula hoop(l) in which a plurality of holes(8) are formed along on the circular edge of the main body (2) thereof, through which a plurality of projections(3) are coupled to the main body(2), in which some of the plurality of projections(3) are constructed to be slightly protruded inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the main body(2), and the others are constructed to be substantially protruded inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the main body(2), and in which the main body(2) is made of soft synthetic resin having a certain strength, so that the inner circumferential surface of the main body can be inverted into the outer circumferential surface thereof.

[2] The hula hoop according to claim 1, wherein the projections (3) are constructed such that the main body (2) of the hula hoop is fit between an upper body(4) and a lower body(5) of the projections, and then a bolt head portion(6) installed on the top end of the upper body of the projections is securely screwed to the main body by a screw(7).