US 4,902,004 A · Exercise hoop

Abstract

An exercise device using a fiber reinforced plastic matrix hoop as a resilient member with telescoping rigid members each connected at respective diametrically opposed locations on the hoop. Elongate weight adjusting members having a length greater than the diameter of the hoop are fastened at opposite ends to the diametrically opposed locations for incremently increasing the weight range of the device. In another embodiment fiber reinforced plastic bow springs are used as the resilient members fastened to opposite ends of the telescoping rigid members. The resilient members may or may not be used with the bow springs.

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Drawings

Claims45

Dependent claims

An exercise device for bouncing a user carried by the device from a utility surface, comprising:

a non-metallic annular resilient spring means having a peripheral annulus of a selected diameter, radial thickness, and axially extending width for bouncing a user within a predetermined weight range off the utility surface engaged by the annulus upon the flexing of the annulus in response to a jumping motion of the user;
elongate means having first and second end portions defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongate means being fixedly mounted adjacent the first and second end portions thereof to the annulus at respective diametrically opposed first and second locations, the first and second end portions being compressible and expandable toward and away from one another respectively along the defined longitudinal axis, the elongate means maintaining substantial symmetry of flexure of the annulus in response to a compressive and recovery force in the direction of the defined longitudinal axis;
a foot support mounted on either one of said annulus and said elongate means for supporting the weight of a user at times when the annulus is upright and engaging the utility surface at the first location, said support being mounted to move with the annulus adjacent the second location and relative to the annulus adjacent the first location;
and
a handle means mounted spaced from the foot support for grasping by a user standing on the foot support.

2 more elements

An exercise device for bouncing a user and the device from a utility surface, comprising:

a pair of spaced axially aligned annular resilient spring members each having a peripheral annulus of a predetermined radial thickness and an axially extending width;
fastening means engaging first and second diametrically opposite peripheral locations of the spaced spring members for securing said members in said axial alignment;
a first substantially rigid elongate member fixedly coupled to the fastening means adjacent the first location and extending longitudinally along a line corresponding to the diameter of each of the annular spring members, said elongate member having an outer end portion terminating exterior the annulus of each spring member and an inner end portion terminating central of the annulus;
a second substantially rigid elongate member having an inner end portion telescopically mounted to the inner end portion of the first elongate member for sliding relative the first member longitudinally and having an outer end portion fixedly attached to the fastening means adjacent the second location for maintaining substantial symmetry of flexure of each annulus upon relative sliding motion of the first and second elongate members in response to a compressive and recovery force adjacent the first location;
a foot support for supporting the weight of a user, said support being fixedly coupled to the first elongate member;
a handle means mounted to be grasped by a user standing on the foot support;
the annulus of each of the spring members having a predetermined thickness and width for bouncing a user within a selected weight range off the utility surface engaged by the annular members adjacent the second location upon the flexing of the annulus in response to a jumping motion of the user.

4 more elements

An exercise device for bouncing a user and the device from a utility surface, comprising:

an annular resilient spring member having a peripheral annulus of a predetermined radial thickness and an axially extending width;
a first pair of substantially rigid spaced elongate members fixedly attached to the annulus at a first location and extending longitudinally along a line corresponding to the diameter of the annular member on opposite sides thereof, said members having an outer end portion terminating exterior the annulus and an inner end portion terminating interior the annulus;
a second pair of substantially rigid elongate members having an inner end portion telescopically mounted to the inner end portion of corresponding first elongate members for sliding relative the first members longitudinally and having an outer end portion fixedly attached to the annulus at a second location substantially diametrically opposing the first location for maintaining substantial symmetry of flexure of the annulus upon relative sliding motion of the first and second elongate members in response to a compressive and recovery force adjacent the first location;
a foot support for supporting the weight of a user, said support being fixedly coupled to the first elongate members;
a handle mounted on the first pair of elongate members adjacent the outer end portion thereof to be grasped by a user standing on the foot support;
the annulus of the resilient member having a predetermined thickness and width for bouncing a user within a selected weight range off the utility surface engaged by the annular member adjacent the second location upon the flexing of the annulus in response to a jumping motion of the user.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,658 words

Summary1,289 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a recreational exercise device; and more particularly to an exercise device of the type where user locomotion is effected by bouncing.

#2. Discussion of Related Art

Brief description of the drawings15 figures

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exercise device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the annulus of the exercise device to illustrate a clamp component used in the present invention;

Detailed description3,079 words

#Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings.

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exercise device for bouncing a user carried by the device from a utility surface according to one embodiment of the invention is generally referred to at 20. In accordance with the invention, the exercise device 20 comprises non-metallic annular resilient spring means having a peripheral annulus of a selected diameter, radial thickness, and axially extending width for bouncing a user within a predetermined weight range off the utility surface engaged by the annular member upon the flexing of the annulus in response to a jumping motion of the user. As embodied herein, a circular non-metallic hoop base 22 constitutes the annular resilient spring means. Hoop 22 may have a rubberized tread strip 24 attached, such as by gluing, for example, to an exterior surface 26 of the hoop to aid in preventing slipping or skidding of the device on a utility surface, such as 26, during use.

#Hoop 22 is made of a polymer composite, such as a fiber reinforced plastic matrix of a selected diameter, thickness, and width. The fiber may be composed of fiberglass, aramid, carbon, or graphite; and the plastic matrix may be of the thermosetting type or the thermoplastic type. If composed of the thermosetting type the plastic matrix may be selected from the group including epoxy, polyester, vinylester, phenolic, and polyurethane. If of the thermoplastic type, the matrix may be of the group including ABS, PVC, acrylic, polyamide, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester, polyethylene, polystyrene and polysulfone. Preferably, the fiber is fiberglass and the plastic matrix is epoxy or vinylester. To facilitate manufacture, hoop 22 may be made on a mandrel in the same manner as tough fiber reinforced plastic conduit for power and communication lines; and then sliced to the desired widths. In one actual reduction to practice hoop 22 is approximately thirteen inches in diameter, three inches in width, one-eighth of an inch thick, and made of fiberglass and epoxy. Although a device of this size could accommodate a user over a substantially larger weight range, with less satisfying results, satisfactory bounce or rebound may be attained by children in a weight range of from forty to seventy pounds. In another actual reduction to practice, member 22 was approximately eighteen inches in diameter, one-fifth of an inch thick, two inches in width. A child that weighed fifty pounds was able to bounce so that total vertical movement of the child was in the neighborhood of from two and one-half to three feet. A slight forward leaning or "body english" resulted in a forward movement of from two and one-half to four feet. Further, the child was able to effect a three hundred sixty degree spin while the device was out of contact with the utility surface.

Facts

Application

07/250,172Filed 28 Sep 1988

Granted

20 Feb 1990

Term ended

28 Sep 2008

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

A63B 25/08
Stilts or the like: hopping-sticks, e.g. pogo sticks ; Hopping apparatus with a single resilient support
Y10S 482/908
Exercise devices: adjustable
A63B
Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming, climbing, or fencing
Y10S
Technical subjects covered by former uspc cross-reference art collections [xracs] and digests

Exercise hoop

Life of this patent

Exercise hoop

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims45

Description4,658 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,658 words