Patent ID: 6497603
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A musical hoop toy, comprising:a first hoop section comprising a hollow tube; a second hoop section comprising a hollow tube; a first hoop connector that is capable of joining said second hoop section to said first hoop section; a third hoop section comprising a hollow tube; a second hoop connector that is capable of joining said third hoop section to said second hoop section; a fourth hoop section comprising a hollow tube; and a third hoop connector that is capable of joining said fourth hoop section to said third hoop section, said hoop sections forming at least part of a circular hoop structure having a diameter in the range of about 25 inches to about 40 inches when said hoop sections are joined by said connectors; a housing coupled to one of said hoop sections; a battery disposed in said housing; a counterweight disposed in one of said hoop sections other than said hoop section to which said housing is coupled; a music button; a contact button disposed such that, when said hoop sections are connected together and when said hoop toy is spun around a person's waist, said contact button will be periodically activated by contact with a portion of the person's waist; an audio speaker; and a controller operatively coupled to said music button, said contact button and said audio speaker, said controller comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in said memory, said computer program comprising: a computer program portion that causes a music sequence to be started in response to said music button being pressed, said music sequence having a possible duration of at least about three seconds; a computer program portion that causes said time period to be restarted each time said contact button is activated; a computer program portion that causes said music sequence to be terminated if said contact button is not activated before said time period elapses; and a computer program portion that causes an audio sound effect to be generated in response to each activation of said contact button.