Abstract:
A weighted and padded exercise hoop used for toning and weight loss comprising a circular weighed padded hoop having an inner semi-hard plastic like material forming a circular tube with a flowable liquid substance disposed within the inner hoop tube having affixed to it outer circumference an outer tube of soft padding material wrapped with a decorative tape or cover material.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefits of provisional application No. 61/137,568 filed on Jul. 15, 2008 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise apparatus for the toning and weight loss for individuals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates in general to a weighted hoop device used for fitness and exercise. The invention also shares a history from the Hula Hoop toys that have existed since the 1950s that are used as toys. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    The original Hula Hoop was initially introduced in the 1950s and has been widely used as a toy for boys and girls for many decades. The use of weighted hoops for exercise is a much newer phenomenon and has seen an increase in popularly over the last decade. 
         [0007]    The conventional toy Hula Hoop has a simple profile and construction and are made of hollow plastic pipe and have simple annular profiles having fixed diameters. Therefore, such annular Hula Hoops are not sufficient in their functional effect when used for physical exercise. 
         [0008]    In the past years there have been attempts to design a number of weighted exercise hoop type of devices. Some past weighted hoop devices have had a plurality of weights, adjusting screws, and attachments that were selectively set by a user. All have proven unpopular. 
         [0009]    Still more exercise hoops have been designed to enhance their functional effect when used for physical exercise adding luminous colors, sounding voices, counting apparatus, among other attachments. 
         [0010]    Many past exercise hoops have been designed to incorporate water contained within the hoops. These earlier liquid filled hoops were not successful as the water leaked out and the hoops did not function properly due to poor connecting means. 
         [0011]    The water filling of the hoops of the aforementioned prior art was set forth to help in the hip gyration in which the hoop remains elevated. This is because the water decreases the rotational speed needed in the hip motion, and slower rotation about the body is possible. Centrifugal force causes the water to shift as the circular hoop is rotated or gyrated about the hips, permitting a slower, easier and less tiring rotation. 
         [0012]    A key factor in providing such a water-containing hoop is the provision of an adequate coupling between the two ends of the tube which form the hoop so that liquid is able to flow substantially freely past the joint. It has been determined that mechanical connections do not properly work and that a welded connection is more suitable. 
         [0013]    Another common complaint that has appeared for past users is the difficulty of working with weighted hoops because they rub against the skin in an abrasive manner and can cause sores to the body and can be uncomfortable to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention regarded as the weighted exercise hoop incorporates a new and unique feature comprising a foam cushion structure encasing the semi-hard tubing thus comprising an advanced weighted exercise hoop that will provide a soft cushioning effect to the exercising individual. 
         [0015]    Said foam cushion structure encasing additionally having a decorative covering surrounding the soft foam rubber encasing wherein the decorative covering supports the attachment to the inner harder tubing and adds an aesthetic value to the invention. 
         [0016]    Additionally, the present invention has a measured amount of liquid within the tubular cavity of the inner semi-hard tubing. Said liquid comprising the weighted means for the exercise hoop. 
         [0017]    The present invention relates to an improvement over the exercise hoops of the aforementioned prior art, particularly in regards to the difficulty of use and hardness of the non-padded hoops by incorporating a softer outer covering and additionally utilizing a ultrasonic or like seal connection for the encased liquid. 
         [0018]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved weighted and padded exercise hoop that can be used more easily and for longer periods of time while also having a better trimming and weight loss effect on the individual user. 
         [0019]    The above and other objects in the nature and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a enlarged cut away view of the hoop connection taken from  FIG. 2  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view in accordance with the primary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a enlarged cut away view of the padded material connection taken from  FIG. 2  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view taken from  FIG. 2  of a typical cross section in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows two ends  10  and  20  of a circular tubing material  30  wherein the tubing material  30  is a semi-rigid material preferably made of a extruded that may include polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), or a Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) or similar material. 
         [0025]    Circular tubing material  30  shall have a wall thickness of no less than 1/16 on an inch and no more than ¼ of an inch and shall allow for flexibility and rigidity to as not to crimp and otherwise restrict the interior  50  flow dynamics or to restrict the liquid  40  flowing within. 
         [0026]    Before said ends  10  and  20  of material  30  are butted together to form a circular hoop  60  as shown in  FIG. 2  and connected a liquid  40  shall be disposed with the interior cavity  50 . 
         [0027]    The liquid  40  may be a water that has been treated to resist bacterial or fungal growth. The liquid may additionally be any free flowing oil based, or like material. 
         [0028]    The liquid contents  40  shall be measured as approximately 4 cups of solution wherein the hoop shall have no less than ⅛ its internal volume and no more than ½ its internal volume filled. 
         [0029]    The preferred size of the completed hoop shall be 36″ in diameter. Other smaller sizes may also be constructed for use of toning the arms and/or legs. Said smaller sizes requiring less volume of liquid  40 . 
         [0030]    After liquid  40  is disposed with the interior  50  of the hoop  60  the two end  10  and  20  shall be ultrasonically welded to complete a air tight and liquid tight seal wherein the liquid  40  may flow freely within the interior cavity  50 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a completed connected circular hoop  60  shown in a plan view comprising an annular hoop body in a large diameter ring shaped tubular body made of a hollow plastic like pipe or similar material  30 . The hoop is ultrasonically welded at the ends  10  and  20  comprising an air tight joint and shall be welded in a commercially acceptable form. 
         [0032]    Ultrasonic welding may be replaced with commercially acceptable, heat, chemical or similar welding means. The hoop tube material  30  shall extend in a full circle between its two ends  10  and  20  and is conventional in appearance to the circular disk. 
         [0033]    After the inner semi-ridge hoop  60  is constructed a soft material  70  shall be used as an outer padding. Outer padding  70  shall be constructed of a soft open cell sponge like soft plastic material such as expanded polyethylene, polystyrene, sponge, or other suitable material that may be commercially available. 
         [0034]    The material for the outer padding covering may be an extruded material similar to material used for pipe insulation or may be a sheet foam material that may be wrapped around the exterior of the inner hoop material in a spiral fashion thus facilitating a soft padding means for the inner hoop  60 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show the outer soft padding  70  is a sectional view wherein the outer soft padding  70  encases the hoop  60 . 
         [0036]    The outer padding tubing cover  70  shall furthermore be covered or otherwise wrapped in a decorative pattern or shape with a gaffers, plastic or cloth tape  80  that may include alternating colors. 
         [0037]    The gaffers or similar tape  80  may be applied in a decorative wrapping pattern and may be applied in the form of circular spiral lines or with alternating crossing patterns. 
         [0038]    The gaffers or similar tape  80  works as a securing means for the soft outer padding  70  and additionally offers a decorative and artistic appearance to the completed padded hoop. 
         [0039]    Any number of colors and patterns may be used to secure the outer padding material  70  to the interior hoop  60 . Reflective or holographic tapes may also be used. 
         [0040]    Films or tape used for covering may be opaque, transparent, or holographic in coloring and may include any printing or embossing. Other types of exterior decorations are also possible and other iridescent effects may be produced by the diffraction and mixing or colors so to be pleasing to view during use of the hoop and therefore more desirable. 
         [0041]    Although the cross section shown in  FIG. 4  is a circular shape, the cross sectional shape of the hoop  60  may be octagonal, rectangular, ellipsoidal, etc, without departing from the invention. The diameters of both the hoop and the hoop tube may also vary. 
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means and materials for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention. 
         [0043]    All statements, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation. 
         [0044]    Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have 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.