WO2007058406A1

WO2007058406A1 - Prefabricated hula-hoop with low frequency generator

Info

Publication number: WO2007058406A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/000052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji-Cheol Jeong
Original assignee: Maxworld Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-11-15
Filing date: 2006-01-06
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: KR100647125B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator. According to this invention, a clip (100) equipped with the low frequency generator (200) is mounted to one hoop segment (300a), a plurality of hoop segments (300a, 300b, 300c, 300d, 300e) is coupled to form an annular shape, and two rows of conductors (400a, 400b) are arranged on inner circumferential surfaces (350) of the hoop segments, so that a low frequency current is supplied from the low frequency generator (200) to the conductors (400a, 400b).

Description

PREFABRICATED HULA-HOOP WITH LOW FREQUENCY

GENERATOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator and, more particularly, to a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, in which the low frequency generator is slidably mounted to a clip, and the clip is clipped onto a mounting part of one hoop segment, so that an electrode of the low frequency generator is connected to a conductor disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the hoop segment. When a male fastening part is provided on an end of the hoop segment, and a lug part of a hook clipped onto the male fastening part is fitted into a snap hole of a female fastening part of a neighboring hoop segment, a conductor of one hoop segment is connected to a conductor of a neighboring hoop segment. Background Art

[2] Korean U.M. Registration No. 337639 discloses "Hula-Hoop having Low

Frequency Generator", which was registered on Dec. 23, 2003.

[3] The hula-hoop includes one or more low frequency generators, a plurality of electrodes, and electric wires. The low frequency generators are held in the hula-hoop, and generate a predetermined magnitude of current in the form of a predetermined pulsation cycle. The electrodes are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hula-hoop at regular intervals, and function to transmit low frequency currents generated by the low frequency generator to a user's skin. The electric wires are provided in the hula-hoop, thus forming the flow of current between the electrodes and the low frequency generators.

[4] However, the conventional hula-hoop having the low frequency generator is problematic in that it is difficult to insert the low frequency generators into the hula- hoop, and the construction method of inserting the low frequency generators into the hula-hoop is not mentioned at all. Further, the conventional hula-hoop is problematic in that the electrodes of the low frequency generators, which stimulate the user's body, are provided on protrusions, so that a plurality of low frequency generators must be mounted.

[5] Korean U.M. Registration No. 340348 discloses "Hula-Hoop having Low

Frequency Generator", which was registered on Jan. 20, 2004.

[6] The hula-hoop includes one or more low frequency generators, and a plurality of electrodes. The low frequency generators are confined in the hula-hoop, and generate a predetermined magnitude of current in the form of a predetermined pulsation cycle. The electrodes are electrically connected to the low frequency generators, and are provided along a predetermined length of the inner circumference of the hula-hoop. The electrodes function to transmit low frequency currents generated by the low frequency generators to a user's skin.

[7] However, the conventional hula-hoop having the low frequency generator has drawbacks in that it is difficult to insert the low frequency generators into the hula- hoop, and the construction method of inserting the low frequency generators into the hula-hoop is not mentioned at all, and the low frequency generators of an amount equal to the number of the electrodes must be mounted. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, which proposes a construction having a concrete and convenient assembling method of attaching the low frequency generator to the hula-hoop, and which is constructed such that a conductor of one hoop segment is connected to a conductor of a neighboring hoop segment when a plurality of hoop segments is connected to each other, thus making the conductors form an annular shape, and which sufficiently stimulates a user's skin using only one low frequency generator. Technical Solution

[9] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, wherein a clip equipped with the low frequency generator is mounted to one hoop segment, a plurality of hoop segments is coupled to form an annular shape, and two rows of conductors are arranged on inner circumferential surfaces of the hoop segments, so that a low frequency current is supplied from the low frequency generator to the conductors. Advantageous Effects

[10] As described above, the present invention provides a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, which proposes a construction having a concrete and convenient assembling method of attaching the low frequency generator to the hula-hoop, and which is constructed such that a conductor of one hoop segment is connected to a conductor of a neighboring hoop segment when a plurality of hoop segments is connected to each other, thus making the conductors form an annular shape, and which sufficiently stimulates a user's skin using only one low frequency generator. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, according to the present invention;

[12] FlG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hula-hoop of FlG. 1, showing the low frequency generator, a clip, and part of one hoop segment of the hula-hoop;

[13] FlG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FlG. 1 ;

[14] FlG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view showing the construction wherein an output terminal of the low frequency generator of FlG. 1 is connected to a conductor of the segment; and

[15] FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views showing the coupling of a male fastening part of one segment and a female fastening part of a neighboring hoop segment. Mode for the Invention

[16] A preferred embodiment of the present invention for accomplishing the above object will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[17] Referring to FlG. 1, in a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, according to the present invention, a clip 100 equipped with a low frequency generator 200 is mounted to one hoop segment 300a. A plurality of segments 300a, 300b, 300c, 300c, and 300e is coupled to each other to form an annular structure. Two rows of conductors 400a and 400b are arranged on an inner circumferential surface 350 of the hula-hoop. The clip 100 equipped with the low frequency generator 200 is mounted to one hoop segment 300a, so that a low frequency current of the low frequency generator 200 is supplied to the conductors 400a and 400b.

[18] Further, the prefabricated hula-hoop having the low frequency generator, according to the present invention, has a plurality of acupressure protuberances 360 provided on the inner circumferential surface 350 of the hula-hoop. In this case, the acupressure protuberances 360 are arranged between the conductors 400a and 400b.

[19] Thus, when a user exercises using the prefabricated hula-hoop having the low frequency generator, according to the present invention, his or her skin comes into contact with the conductors 400a and 400b. At this time, a low frequency current flows from the low frequency generator 200 to his or her skin. Thereby, his or her skin is stimulated by the low frequency current, and in addition, a massage effect is achieved by the acupressure protuberances 360.

[20] The construction and assembly of the prefabricated hula-hoop having the low frequency generator, according to the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[21] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the clip 100 includes first and second vise jaws 120 and

130. Free ends of the first and second vises 120 and 130 are bent inwards, so that an opening is formed between the first and second vise jaws 120 and 130. The clip 100 is mounted to a mounting part 301 of the hoop segment 300a through the opening. A locking protrusion 121, 131 is provided on the central portion of each of the first and second vise jaws 120 and 130. The clip 100 also includes a coupling part 140, which couples the first and second vise jaws 120 and 130 to each other. An insert protrusion 141 is provided on the inner surface of the coupling part 140, and a battery seat 150 is provided on the outer surface of the first vise jaw 120. Slide mounting rails 151 are provided on opposite sides of the battery seat 150.

[22] Thus, when the clip 100 is mounted to the mounting part 301 of the hoop segment

300a, the locking protrusions 121 and 131 of the first and second vise jaws 120 and 130 are fitted into locking holes 314 and 315 of the mounting part 301 of the hoop segment 300a. Even if an external force is applied to the clip 100, the clip 100 does not move leftward or rightward, owing to stoppers 302 and 303 on the mounting part 301. Further, the low frequency generator 200 is slidably mounted to the slide mounting rails 151.

[23] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the low frequency generator 200 is slidably mounted to the battery seat 150, and an output terminal 210 of the low frequency generator 200 is connected to an upper end of an electrode 160, and the other end of the electrode 160 is connected to the conductor 400a, 400b of the hoop segment 300a.

[24] Referring to FIG. 4, a positive terminal 160a of the electrode 160 connected to the low frequency generator 200 extends into the clip 100 to be connected to the conductor 400a, and a negative terminal 160b of the electrode 160 extends into the clip 100 to be connected to the conductor 400b.

[25] Thus, when a user's skin simultaneously comes into contact with the two rows of conductors 400a and 400b, a low frequency current flows, so that the low frequency current is provided to his or her body.

[26] Turning back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the low frequency generator 200 is provided with an on/off button 220 and an intensity control button 230. A slide mounting part 240 is provided on a side opposite the buttons 220 and 230, so that it is coupled to the slide mounting rails 151 provided on the battery seat 150 of the clip 100.

[27] Since the construction of an internal circuit of the low frequency generator 200 has been known to those skilled in the art, the construction of the internal circuit will not be described in detail herein.

[28] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a male fastening part 310 of the hoop segment 300a has a concave part 313 between a head part 311 and a contact part 312. A hook 330 is locked to the concave part 313, a stopper part 314 is provided at a position adjacent to the contact part 312, and a concave depression 315 is formed on the contact part 312.

[29] The hook 330 includes a clip part 331 lockable to the concave part 313 of the male fastening part 310, a lever part 332 integrated with the clip part 331, and a lug part 333 provided on the upper surface of a free end of the lever part 332.

[30] The clip part 331 of the hook 330 may be locked to the concave part 313 of the male fastening part 310 provided on the hoop segment 300a constructed as described above. In such a state, when the hoop segment 300a is coupled to a female fastening part 320 of a neighboring hoop segment 300b, the contact part 312 is in close contact with the inner circumference of an end of the female fastening part 320, and the end of the female fastening part 320 is stopped by the stopper part 314. The lug part 333 of the hook 330 is fitted into a snap hole 321 of the female fastening part 320. Thereby, as shown in FlG. 6, when the male fastening part 310 of one hoop segment 300a engages with the female fastening part 320 of the neighboring hoop segment 300b, a conductor 410 of the hoop segment 300a is connected to a conductor 420 of the neighboring hoop segment 300b.

[31] Further, when one desires to disengage the male fastening part 310 of one hoop segment 300a from the female fastening part 320 of the neighboring hoop segment 300b, the lug part 333 of the hook 330 is pressed. At this time, the lever part 332 moves downwards to the concave depression 315 of the male fastening part 310, so that the lug part 333 of the hook 330 is removed from the snap hole 321 of the female fastening part 320. Thereby, a user may disengage the male fastening part 310 from the female fastening part 320.

[32] The prefabricated hula-hoop having the low frequency generator, according to the present invention, is constructed so that a plurality of hoop segments 300a, 300b, is coupled to each other to form an annular structure. When the hoop segments 300a, 300b, are coupled to each other, the conductors mounted on the inner circumferential surfaces of the respective segments 300a, 300b, are coupled to each other, thus forming an annular shape. Thus, when one low frequency generator 200 is mounted to one hoop segment 300a using the clip 100, the electrode 160 connected to the output terminal 210 of the low frequency generator 200 is connected to the conductor 400a, 400b of one hoop segment 300a, so that a low frequency current flows through all conductors. Thereby, when a user exercises using the hula-hoop, some of the conductors are in continuous contact with the waist, thus allowing the skin around the waist to be evenly stimulated by the low frequency current. Industrial Applicability

[33] As described above, the present invention provides a prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, which proposes a construction having a concrete and convenient assembling method of attaching the low frequency generator to the hula-hoop, and which is constructed such that a conductor of one hoop segment is connected to a conductor of a neighboring hoop segment when a plurality of hoop segments is connected to each other, thus making the conductors form an annular shape, and which sufficiently stimulates a user's skin using only one low frequency generator.

[34] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A prefabricated hula-hoop having a low frequency generator, wherein a clip equipped with the low frequency generator is mounted to one hoop segment, a plurality of hoop segments is coupled to form an annular shape, and two rows of conductors are arranged on inner circumferential surfaces of the hoop segments, so that a low frequency current is supplied from the low frequency generator to the conductors.

[2] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 1, wherein the clip comprises first and second vise jaws which are bent inwards at free ends of the respective vise jaws, and an opening is defined in the first and second vise jaws, so that the clip is mounted to a mounting part of the hoop segment through the opening, and a locking protrusion is provided on a central portion of the free end of each of the first and second vise jaws, an insert protrusion is provided on an inner surface of a coupling part which couples the first and second vise jaws to each other, and a battery seat is provided on an outer surface of the first vise jaw.

[3] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 2, wherein the low frequency generator is slidably mounted on the battery seat, and an output terminal of the low frequency generator is connected to a first end of an electrode, a second end of the electrode being connected to the conductor of the hoop segment.

[4] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 3, wherein a positive terminal of the electrode connected to the low frequency generator extends into the clip to be connected to one row of conductors, and a negative terminal of the electrode connected to the low frequency generator extends into the clip to be connected to a remaining row of conductors.

[5] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 1, wherein, when a male fastening part provided on one hoop segment engages with a female fastening part of a neighboring hoop segment, with a clip part of a hook locked to a concave part of the male fastening part, a contact part is in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of an end of the female fastening part, and the end of the female fastening part is stopped by a stopper part, and a lug part of the hook is fitted into a snap hole of the female fastening part, so that the conductor of one hoop segment is connected to the conductor of the neighboring hoop segment.

[6] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 5, wherein the hook comprises: the clip part locked to the concave part of the male fastening part; a lever part integrated with the clip part; and the lug part provided on an upper surface of a free end of the lever part. [7] The prefabricated hula-hoop according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of acupressure protuberances provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of the hoop segments, the acupressure protuberances being located between the conductors.