Adjustable hoop and method of using the same
AssigneeMattel, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Dignitti, David E. Moomaw, Gerald P. Sitarski, Mark Andre Wojtkiewicz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hoop having an adjustable diameter and including a fixed portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion can be disposed in an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. A user can vary the diameter of the hoop by moving a first end of the adjustable member with respect to a second end of the adjustable member.
Claims21
A hoop comprising:
- an arcuate member, said arcuate member having a first end and a second end;
- and
- an adjustable member coupled to said arcuate member, said adjustable member being selectively disposable in an extended configuration and in a collapsed configuration, said adjustable member having a first length in said extended configuration and a second length in said collapsed configuration, said first length being different from said second length, and a first end and a second end, said first end of said adjustable member being coupled to said first end of said arcuate member, and said second end of said adjustable member being coupled to said second end of said arcuate member.
A hoop comprising:
- a substantially annular body having:
- a fixed length portion, said fixed length portion being arcuate;
- and
- an adjustable length portion, said adjustable length portion having a first end and a second end, said adjustable length portion being continuous between said first end and said second end, each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said fixed length portion, said adjustable length portion including corrugations disposed between said first end and said second end, said adjustable length portion being disposable in a first configuration and a second configuration, said body having a first diameter when said adjustable length portion Is in said first configuration and a second diameter when said adjustable length portion is in said second configuration, said first diameter being different than said second diameter.
A hoop comprising:
- a substantially annular body having:
- a fixed length portion;
- an adjustable length portion, said adjustable length portion having a first end and a second end, said adjustable length portion being continuous between said first end and said second end, each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said fixed length portion, said adjustable length portion being disposable in a first configuration and a second configuration, said body having a first diameter when said adjustable length portion is in said first configuration and a second diameter when said adjustable length portion is in said second configuration, said first diameter being different than said second diameter;
- and
- a tube, said tube disposed within a portion of said adjustable length portion, said tube having a first end and a second end, said tube first end being coupled to said fixed length portion and said adjustable length portion, and said tube second end being movable relative to said fixed length portion and said adjustable length portion.
A method of varying a diameter of a hoop, the hoop including a fixed length member and an adjustable length member, the fixed length member having a first end and a second end, the adjustable length member having a first end and a second end, the adjustable length member having a variable length between its first and second ends, the first ends of the fixed length member and the adjustable length member being coupled together, and the second ends of the fixed length member and the adjustable length member being coupled together, the method comprising the step of:
- moving the first end of the adjustable length member relative to the second end of the adjustable length member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.