WO2015052073A1

WO2015052073A1 - Kit for skipping rope

Info

Publication number: WO2015052073A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/071160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo FIADONE
Original assignee: Fiadone Angelo
Priority date: 2013-10-11
Filing date: 2014-10-02
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: ITRM20130557A1

Abstract

Kit (1) for skipping rope, comprising at least one rope (2) made of metallic material, covered with a rubber layer (3); at least two handles (4) located at the ends of said rope (2) covered with the rubber layer (3); and at least one weight (5) for each handle (4) to be assembled to said handle (4), wherein each handle (4) comprises a cylindrical portion (4') and an oblong portion (4") adapted to allow the adjustment of the length of the rope section extended between said handles (4), said cylindrical portion (4') being firmly connected to said oblong portion (4"), said cylindrical portion (4') comprising a discoid base (6) from which a rope section (2) covered with the rubber layer (3) exits outward, said discoid base (6) having a hole (11) adapted to allow the access and the passage of the rope (2), with its ruber layer (3), through said oblong portion (4") of handle (4), said cylindrical portion (4") of handle (4) being internally hollow and internally comprising a tube (10) adapted to house the rope section (2) whose length is to be adjusted and to allow the movement of the rope through said oblong portion (4").

Description

"Kit for skipping rope"

Description Field of the art

The present invention regards the field of sports equipment. More in detail, the present invention regards a new type of skipping ropes, having handles with structural characteristics such to make the rope highly versatile and adaptable to any subject, regardless of the weight and the height thereof.

State of the art

Rope skipping is a sports activity that has been known for many years. This physical exercise, which was already practiced towards the end of 1800, is considered an excellent exercise for improving strength and cardiovascular endurance and for toning and rendering the whole body more agile. Training with the rope is, generally, typical of boxers, but it is also practiced by many basketball players and tennis players. In addition to being an effective way to burn calories and fats, rope skipping can be considered as the basic activity to tone the circulatory system and improve coordination and agility. Skipping ropes must generally comply with some fundamental characteristics, first of all comfort: they must primarily have the correct length, to be calculated based on the height of the subject, and they must have handles that are as ergonomic as possible. Currently, the correct length of the rope is calculated by positioning oneself at the center of the rope with a foot, pulling the handles upwards until the maximum extension is reached. If the size is correct the handles must be at chest level. Among the main and most common types of ropes there are: cotton ropes that are very light and easy to handle and, however, are easily worn out and soiled; leather ropes that, being heavier, allow attaining greater speeds and ensuring a more uniform body training; and nylon ropes that, in addition to being very light, also allow attaining high speeds. Generally, the latter types of ropes are more useful for carrying out an aerobic task than a strengthening task. For this reason, this type of ropes is often associated with small weights in the handles. There are several types of skipping ropes to date that are suitably studied and constructed in order to optimize their functional characteristics.

In this regard, document GB2358243 describes a type of skipping rope, in which the rope shows lack of friction in the points at which the rope is connected to the handles. The latter are also profiled so that they can receive different weights.

Document CN 201930435 regards a skipping rope, comprising adjustable counterweights between which a spring is interposed.

Document GB875750 instead describes a skipping rope comprising weights, preferably of lead, to be fixed to the rope itself.

Object of the present industrial invention patent application, which is described in detail hereinbelow, is that of providing a new type of skipping ropes, having handles with characteristics such to make the present rope highly versatile as well as effectively functional. Description of the invention

The present industrial invention patent application describes a new type of skipping ropes, with characteristics such to enhance, in addition to the functionality and the durability over time of the rope, its versatility as well. More in detail, the present invention regards a kit comprising skipping ropes having handles to which one or more weights can be associated in an easy manner, so as to allow the user of the rope to increase the physical activity according to the needs, thus following a personalized program. Said handles are further internally structured to allow very fast movement of the rope as well as to allow the user to jump as fast. Said rope has a steel core, covered with rubber. The steel rope is connected, at its ends, to the handles so as to reduce consistently the friction that is developed during the rotational movement of the handles, by adopting simple measures already known in the field of application of the invention. The characterizing aspects of the present invention are rather represented by the mode of assembling the weights to the handles, and by the possibility of varying the length of the rope depending on the needs and above all depending on the height of the subject using said rope. All this making the rope highly versatile. The possibility of varying the length of the rope advantageously allows several subjects to use the same sports equipment. By way of non-limiting example, this characteristic could prove very advantageous in a family, in which the various members can adjust the rope according to their needs and physical characteristics. Still more in detail the above characterizing aspects of the invention, that is the possibility of adding one or more weights to the rope handles, and the possibility of varying the length of the latter, result from the particular profile and from the material of the portion of the handle connected to the rope; and from the inner structure of said handle in the portion adapted to constitute the handgrip. More specifically, the handles of the rope of the present kit are preferably made of aluminum or plastic and have a centrally perforated cylindrical portion from which the rope extends outwardly, and an oblong portion adapted to function as a handgrip. The cylindrical portion has threaded longitudinal surfaces thus offering the possibility of screwing one or more rings, also provided with threads, on said threaded surfaces. Each of said rings represents a weight to be added to the handle of the present rope and the number of rings to be added varies as a function of the length of said cylindrical portion, that is of the threaded surface available, as will be clearer from the observation of the accompanying drawings. As will be described in detail hereinafter, in a particular embodiment of the invention, the addition of the weights to the handle will take place by exploiting the magnetic properties of the materials with which the portions of components involved in the assembly are made.

The oblong portion, adapted to constitute the handgrip, is internally hollow and also has a rigid channel, inside of which the rope portion inside the handle passes for each end. The oblong portion also has all its ends perforated, that is both the end directly connected to the cylindrical portion, and the opposite end. The rigid channel inside the hollow handgrip, and the perforations present at the ends of each handgrip, allow regulating and setting the length of the rope extended between the two handles. The perforations, in fact, allow pulling or pushing the rope ends exiting from said perforations with the result that the rope section extended between said handles is shortened or lengthened, respectively. The inner channel is useful for preventing the rope from being folded inside the handle, while lengthening and shortening the rope. Setting a determined length of the rope, once its adjustment has taken place, occurs due to the presence of a small clamp, adjustable from the outside, present inside the handgrip of each handle.

Brief description of the drawings

FIGURE 1 shows a front view of the characterizing components of the kit 1 for rope skipping, object of the present industrial invention patent application. More in detail, the figure shows that the kit 1, comprising the rope 2, covered by the rubber layer 3; the handles 4; at least one weight 5 to be assembled to said handle(s), has components adapted to enhance the versatility and functionality of said kit 1. Still more in detail, figure 1 shows that each handle 4 of the kit 1 comprises: the cylindrical portion 4', from which the rope 2 externally departs in the direction of the other handle 4 (not shown in the figure); and the oblong portion 4", adapted to constitute the handgrip of said handle 4. The cylindrical portion 4' in turn comprises: the discoid base 6, centrally having the hole 11 from which the rope 2 exits with its rubber layer 3; the threaded portion 7, located between the grooves 8 and 9, that are firmly connected one to the discoid base 6 and the other to the end 15 of the portion 4" of handle 4. Said threaded portion 7 is adapted to fix, by screwing, one or more weights 5. Said weights 5, in fact, centrally have the perforation 19 defining the surface 18. Said surface 18 has a thread to be adapted to that of the portion 7. The oblong portion 4" of the handle 4 instead is characterized in that it is internally hollow and it has the tube 10 therein adapted to house and allow the movement, through said portion 4", of a rope section 2. The oblong portion 4" also has, at the end 12, the hole 13 adapted to allow the exit and/or the access of the rope 2. More in detail, the cavity of the handle 4, the hole 11, the hole 13, and the tube 10, allow adjusting the length of the rope section 2 extended between the two handles 4, depending on the needs of the user of the kit 1. Blocking of the rope in the handle, once the suitable length has been selected, is allowed due to the presence of the clamp 14, inside the end 15 of handle 4. By acting on the hand 16, outside said handle 4, of the screw 17 of the clamp 14, it is possible to block and release the rope in/from the clamp 14, varying the length of the rope, if required.

FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the components of the kit 1 characterizing the invention in another embodiment. More in detail, the present figure shows that portion 7 of the handle 4 is not threaded but smooth, similarly (even if it cannot be appreciated from the present figure) the surface 18 defined by the perforation 19 of the weight 5 is also smooth. In this embodiment, the assembly of the weight/weights 5 to the handle 4 does not occur via screwing. Rather, it occurs by exploiting the magnetic properties of the materials constituting the portions of the kit 1 involved in the assembly. In order for this to occur effectively by magnetic attraction, it is necessary that at least the portion 7 is made of magnets and at least the surface 18 of the weight is made of a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material and/or vice versa. Description of preferred embodiments

In all of its embodiments, the kit 1 for rope skipping, object of the present industrial invention patent application, comprises: the rope 2, preferably made of steel, covered by the rubber layer 3; the handles 4, connected at the ends of said rope 2 and adapted to be held during the performance of the exercises to be carried out with said rope 2; and at least one weight 5, for each handle 4, adapted to be assembled to said handle 4 depending on the needs and in order to increase the results of the physical activity in question. More in detail, the present kit 1 for rope skipping is characterized by the peculiarity of the handles 4 of the rope 2. Said handles 4 are in fact exploited to provide the rope with a considerable versatility, making it adaptable to any user, regardless of the weight and of the height thereof.

In its preferred embodiment the kit 1 for rope skipping comprises two handles 4 such that each handle 4 has two portions: the cylindrical portion 4', from which the rope 2 is extended outside towards the other handle 4; and the oblong portion 4", adapted to constitute the handgrip of said handle 4. More in detail, said portion 4' has: the discoid base 6 from which the rope 2, covered by the layer 3, exits in the direction of the other handle 4; and the underlying threaded and cylindrical portion 7 firmly connected to said discoid base 6 and to said oblong portion 4", through groove 8 and groove 9, respectively, both having smooth surfaces and between which said portion 7 is present. Said portion 4", adapted to constitute the handgrip of said handle(s) 4 is characterized in that it is internally hollow and it houses the tube 10 therein, adapted to receive a portion of rope 2 covered by the layer 3, and in which said portion of rope can be made slide. All this in order to adjust the length of the rope section 2 which is extended between the two handles 4. More clearly, both the portion 4' and the portion 4", in addition to being internally hollow, have holes that allow the access and the exit of the rope, and vice versa, from the handle 4. The portion 4', in fact, has the hole 11 on the discoid base 6, while the portion 4" has the hole 13 on the surface of its end 12. The adjustment of the length of the rope section 2 interposed between the two handles 4, occurs by acting on the portion of rope 2, covered by the layer 3, exiting from said hole 13. In particular, by pulling said rope section exiting from the hole 13, the rope section 2 interposed between the handles 4 will be shortened and, vice versa, by pushing said rope section exiting from the hole 13 in the direction of the handle 4, the rope section 2 interposed between the handles 4 will be lengthened. All this also due to the presence of the tube 10 which, in performing these movements, prevents the rope from being folded and becoming entangled inside the portion 4" of the handle 4. Once the length of the rope 2 has been adjusted, blocking of said selected length occurs due to the presence of the clamp 14 present inside the portion 4" at the end 15 connected to the portion 4' . More precisely, by acting on the head 16 of the screw 17 of the clamp 14, the user will be able to tighten or loosen the clamp 14 with the result of blocking and releasing the movement of the rope 2.

As already mentioned, a further characterizing aspect of the invention is given by the possibility of assembling one or more weights 5 to each handle 4 in a very easy way. This easy assembly takes place due to the presence of the threaded portion 7 on which several weights 5 can be screwed sequentially, the latter also being provided with thread. More in detail, each weight 5 has a centrally perforated discoid profile, having the thread on the inner surface 18 of the central perforation 19. All this allowing one or more weights 5 to be screwed on the surface of said threaded portion 7.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the kit 1 for rope skipping is characterized in that the assembly of the weights 5 to the handle 4 occurs by means of magnetic attraction. More in detail, in this particular embodiment, it is not necessary for either the portion 7 or the inner surface 18 of the perforation 19 to be threaded. Rather, it is essential that at least the portion 7, or the whole portion 4', are made of magnets, while at least the inner surface 18 of the weight 5, or the whole weight 5, are made of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material and/or vice versa.

In all its embodiments the kit 1 for rope skipping, object of the present invention, comprises handles 4 having a length varying between 10 cm and 23 cm, preferably the length of the oblong portion 4" is 11 cm, while that of the cylindrical portion 4' is 4 cm.

Preferably, the handles 4 of the kit 1 are made of aluminium or plastic, the rope made of steel 2, the layer 3 made of silicon rubber, and the weights 5 made of lead.

Claims

1. Kit (1) for skipping rope, comprising at least one rope (2) made of metallic material, covered with the rubber layer (3); at least two handles (4) located at the ends of said rope (2) covered with the rubber layer (3); and at least one weight (5) for each handle (4) to be assembled to said handle (4), said kit (1) being characterized in that each handle (4) comprises the cylindrical portion (4') and the oblong portion (4") adapted to allow the adjustment of the length of the rope section extended between said handles (4), said portion (4') being firmly connected to said portion (4"), said portion (4') comprising the discoid base (6) from which the rope section (2) covered with the rubber layer (3) exits outward, said discoid base (6) having the hole (11) adapted to allow the access and the passage of the rope (2), with its layer (3), through said portion (4") of handle (4), said portion (4") of handle (4) being internally hollow and internally comprising the tube (10) adapted to house the rope section (2) whose length is to be adjusted and to allow the movement of the rope through said portion (4"), the latter having the hole (13) at the end (12) which is opposite the end (15) connected to the portion (4') of handle (4), said end (15) having at least one clamp (14) at its interior adapted to block and release the rope section (2) inside the handle (4), said clamp (14) being connected to the screw (17) having the head (16) movable outside said handle (4).

2. Kit (1) for skipping rope according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly of the weight/weights (5) to each handle (4) occurs via screwing, said handle (4) having, on its portion (4'), the portion (7) with threaded external surface, and said weight/weights (5) centrally having the circular perforation (19) defining the internal surface (18), it too threaded and such to be adapted to the thread of said portion (7).

3. Kit (1) for skipping rope according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly of the weight/weights (5) to the handle (4) occurs via magnetic attraction, said handle (4) having, in its portion (4'), at least the portion (7) externally smooth and made of magnets; and said weight/weights (5) having the perforation (19) defining the surface (18), said surface (18) being made of a paramagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material; or vice versa, said portion (7) can be made of a paramagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material and said surface (18) can be made of magnets.

4. Kit (1) for skipping rope according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the handles (4) of said kit (1) are made of metallic and/or polymeric material, preferably said handles (4) are made of aluminum and/or plastic, the rope (2) made of steel, the layer (3) made of silicone rubber, and the weights (5) made of lead and/or brass.

5. Kit (1) for skipping rope according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handles (4) have a length comprised between 10 cm and 23 cm.

6. Kit (1) for skipping rope according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portion (4") has a length of 14 cm and the portion (4') a length of 6 cm.