Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a ropeless jump rope having a pair of handles wherein each handle comprises a housing having a removable rotatable tip at one end to which a flexible elongated member such as a rope, or string is secure to the tip such that an end portion of the flexible elongated member is attached to the tip in a manner substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tip. Each handle further comprises a flexible support member positioned on the tip and the end portion of the flexible elongated member thereby preventing damage to the flexible elongated member during use of the invention.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/140,656 entitled “Replaceable Tip for Ropeless Jumprope” filed by inventor Brad LaTour on Dec. 24, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0002]    Applicant also is the named inventor on U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0288158 published on Dec. 29, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/582,173 entitled “Jump snap—ropeless jump rope,” and filed on Jun. 24, 2004, both of which likewise are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to jump rope simulators and, more particularly, to a jump rope simulator for providing a physical workout by simulating the jumping of rope while monitoring and displaying workout data. 
         [0006]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    A variety of conventional jump rope simulators are known. One example of such a prior art jump rope is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,341, which discloses a pair of hand-held units, each unit having a handle with an elongate flexible cord attached thereto. The flexible cord has a distribution of weight biased away from the handle to facilitate a twirling motion. The flexible cord on each handle may be twirled about an axis extending form the handle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a ropeless jump rope handle. The handle is comprised of a handle housing having first and second ends, a rope simulating element having first and second ends, and a head assembly connected at one end of the handle housing. The head assembly comprises a support element fixed to the handle housing, a rotating element rotatably connected to the support element, the rotating element having means therein for connecting the first end of the rope simulating element thereto, and a flexible element covering a portion of the rotating element and the end portion of the rope simulating element. The rotating element may comprise a stem rotatably connected to the support element and a tip removably connected to the stem wherein the tip comprises means for connecting the first end of the rope simulating element thereto. The handle may further comprise a counting mechanism or counter for counting rotations of the rotating element. An electronic counter is preferable. The means therein for connecting the first end of the rope simulating element thereto may comprise a opening substantially perpendicular to an axis of the rotating element. The head assembly may further comprise means for connecting the head assembly to the handle housing. 
         [0009]    In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is a ropeless jump rope handle comprised of a handle housing having first and second ends, a rope simulating element having first and second ends, and a head assembly connected at one end of the handle housing. The head assembly comprises a support element fixed to the handle housing, a rotating element rotatably connected to the support element. The rotating element comprises a rod having first and second ends opposite one another, an outwardly extending flange near the first end of the rod for engaging with the support element, and a hole near the second end of the rod for receiving a first end of the rope simulating element. A flexible element or sleeve covers a portion of the rotating element and a portion of the rope simulating element near the first end of the rope simulating element and a weight is connected to the second end of the rope simulating element. The rod may comprise a stem rotatably connected to the support element and a tip removably connected to the stem, such as with a screw. 
         [0010]    In still another embodiment, the present invention comprises a ropeless jump rope handle having a handle housing with first and second ends, a rope simulating element having first and second ends, and a head assembly connected at one end of the handle housing. The head assembly comprises a head housing, a stem rotatably mounted to the head housing wherein a portion of the stem extends out of the head housing and a tip removably mounted to the portion of the stem extending out of the head housing and the rope simulating element is connected to the stem. A flexible element may cover a portion of or all of the tip and a portion of the rope simulating element near the stem. A weight is connected to the second end of the rope simulating element. The handle housing may comprises a flange adjacent the end of the handle housing to which the head assembly is connected and the head housing comprises means for engaging with the flange to fix the head housing to the handle housing. The handle housing further comprises a compartment or compartments therein for receiving a weight or a plurality of weights. A ropeless jump rope handle may further comprise an end cap removably connected to the second end of the handle. Still further, the handle may further comprise a microprocessor within the handle housing, a display mounted to the handle housing and connected to the microprocessor, a control mounted to the handle housing and connected to the microprocessor, a heart rate monitor and a counting mechanism for counting rotations of the stem. The stem may compriss a keyed opening at one end for receiving an end of the tip and the tip may comprise a keyed portion for engaging with the keyed opening in the stem. 
         [0011]    Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an assembly view of a head or tip assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a first intermediate perspective view of a tip assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a second intermediate perspective view of a tip assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tip assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a partial assembly view of a tip assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates the architecture of the electronics in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The present invention presents a novel combination of elements that collectively produce a jump rope simulator having multiple functions and adjustments that facilitate exercise. A preferred embodiment of the invention has two handles, one referred to as a “primary” or “smart” handle and the other referred to as a “secondary” or “dumb” handle. 
         [0022]    A preferred embodiment of a smart handle of the present invention is described with reference to the Figures. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a ropeless jump rope handle  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a housing  110  that preferably is elongate, hollow and generally cylindrical in shape. The housing  110  may be formed in other shapes provided that the housing may be gripped by a hand. Further, at one end, the housing has an opening for receiving a weight or weights (not shown). The inner surface of housing  110  adjacent the opening is threaded with threads  112  for mating with a threaded portion  162  of an end cap or plug  160 . The end cap  160  may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic or rubber. The housing may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or wood, but preferably is a rigid material. The housing preferably is approximately eight inches in length and has a diameter in a range suitable to be gripped by any of a variety of sizes of hands after a foam or rubber grip  150  is placed on the handle. In an alternative embodiment, the handle grip may be integral with the housing such as with the housing and grip both being formed from molded plastic. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, the grip  150  is placed over a portion of the housing  110  adjacent the end of the housing  110  that will receive the end cap  160 . In a preferred embodiment, the grip  150  is approximately six inches in length, but other lengths of grips may be used with the invention. The grip  150  may take on any of a variety of shapes, but in a preferred embodiment, the grip is formed with a plurality of finger grip sections such as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that this is only one embodiment, and that in other embodiments, such as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the grip is open on both ends and an end cap  132  is used to cover the end of the housing. 
         [0024]    The housing  110  may include a variety of openings or holes in its sidewalls to accommodate various components of the system. One such opening may be for receiving one or more sensors for a pulse monitor. The pulse monitor is placed in the grip portion of the housing in this particular embodiment. Thus, the grip  150  also would have an opening or openings for the sensor(s). Pulse monitors are generally known in the fitness field, and any suitable pulse monitor and sensor arrangement may be used with the invention. Alternatively, the primary handle may incorporate a receiver (not shown) for receiving data from a conventional pulse rate monitor such as one having sensors in a chest strap. 
         [0025]    When the grip  150  is in place, a portion of the housing  110  extends out of the grip  150 . That portion of the housing  150  extending beyond the grip shall be referred to for reference purposes as the display/control portion of the housing. While it is described here as a portion of the housing distinct from the grip portion, it will be under stood that the invention may be incorporated with a unitary structure, for example, such that the entire length of the housing is covered by the grip  150 , but the grip  150  has one or more openings for receiving one or more displays and controls. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the display/control portion of the housing houses a battery compartment  710  for supplying power to the electronics in the primary handle. The electronics in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  include a plurality of displays  122  for displaying information, such as estimated calories burned, exercise time, turn count, and heart rate. Other information such as time of day, average pulse, average turns per minute, or the like may be displayed in addition to or instead of this information. The displays may be arranged in any manner, but are shown in  FIG. 1  as being part of a display/control panel  120 . 
         [0027]    On the housing  110  is mounted a display/control panel  120  having a plurality of displays  122  and a plurality of controls  124 ,  126 ,  128  for controlling various functions of the electronics, such as power on/off, reset, and the like. Many different types of controls may be used with the invention. In an alternative embodiment, a single display  122  may be used for displaying all system information. With such a single display, various types of information may be cycled across the screen at preset or selected intervals or a display control  128  may be provided for permitting a user to select which information they would like to display. 
         [0028]    An end cap  160  having a threaded portion  162  is removably secured to the housing  110  by engaging the threads  162  with corresponding threads  112  on the interior of the housing  110 . The interior of the portion of the housing  110  covered by grip  150  has structural elements  114 ,  116  defining channels  720  into which weights may be inserted. In a preferred embodiment, three identically sized weights can be inserted into the housing, but other variations such as a single weight or differing weights can be used with the invention. The housing  110  further has within it a battery compartment  710  for receiving batteries to power the electronics. 
         [0029]    At an end of the housing  110  opposite the end cap  160 , a head assembly  200 , including a counting mechanism or means, is mounted to the housing  110 . A first end of a rope simulating element formed for example of a flexible member  130  such as a rope, string or wire extends from the head assembly  200  and has a weight  140  secured to it at an opposite end. The weight  140  may be formed in any of a variety of ways such as by having a central weight portion  142  surrounded by padding  144 . The weight may be formed of a variety of materials, such as steel, rubber or plastic. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the head assembly  200  has a head housing  210  having ridges, flanges, tongue and groove structures or other means  212 ,  214 ,  216  for attaching the head housing  210  (and hence the head assembly  200 ) to the housing  110  by engaging with similar a corresponding structure  118  on the housing  110 . The head assembly  200  further has rotating element, for example, a hollow cylindrical stem  220  rotatably mounted in or to the head housing  210  via a support element  712 , such that a portion of the rotating element or stem  220  extends out of the head housing  210 . Support element  712  may be fixed to the housing  110 , may be formed integral with the housing  110 , or may be formed of several elements working in combination to support the stem  220 . The stem  220  has a central channel  226  through its center and an opening or mounting hole  222  for receiving a screw  230  to mount a tip  246 . In this manner the tip is removable or replaceable. Other known means for removably securing the tip to the stem of course may be used with the present invention. The tip  246  is cylindrical and hollow and has a narrow portion  242  for insertion into the opening  226  in stem  220 . The narrow portion  242  has a threaded hole  244  for receiving threads on mounting screw  230  when the head assembly is assembled. The tip  240  further has a first opening  246  at one end and a second opening  248  in its sidewall. The opening  248  receives rope  130  when the product is assembled. The rope  130  may be mounted to the head assembly  200  in any of a variety of ways, such as by having an enlarged element  132  as shown in  FIG. 7  or by being threaded through the channel  226  in stem  220  and then being secured in the interior of the head housing  210 . The head assembly  200  further has a flexible sheath or element  250 , such as rubber, polyethylene or other suitable material, placed over the tip  240 , the portion of the stem  220  extending from the head housing  210 , and a portion of the roe  130  extending out of the hole  248  in the tip  240 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment for a head assembly  600  in which the narrow portion  642  of tip  640  is keyed (with a flat portion), as is the channel  628  in stem  620 . A hole  644  is formed in the flat or keyed portion of the narrow portion  642  of the tip  640  and when assembled, aligns with hole  622  in stem  620  such that threaded screw  630  extends through both hole  622  and hole  644  and is threaded into hole  624  in the stem  620 . Again, this structure facilitates easy removal or replacement of the tip in the event the tip or the roe simulating element are damages in any way. 
         [0032]    When the handles are used, they are moved by the user to cause the weights at the end of the rope simulating element to swing and thereby rotate the stem. In the process, the flexible portion of the rope simulating element can rub against the stem and fray or otherwise become damaged. The flexible element placed over the stem and an end portion of the rope simulating element supports and protects the rope simulating element thereby reducing or preventing fraying or other damage to the rope simulating element. 
         [0033]    Since ropeless jump rope handles typically are sold in pairs, a second ropeless jump rope handle having or not having display/control  120  or any electronics therein may be paired with the handle shown in  FIG. 1 . An embodiment of a secondary or dumb handle, for example, may have a housing having a grip portion covered by a grip and a “dummy” portion. The end of the grip portion of the housing has an opening for receiving a weight and an end cap for retaining the weight within the housing. As with the primary handle, the inner side of the housing adjacent the opening may be threaded for mating with a threaded portion of the end cap. The end caps for the primary and secondary handles preferably are identical in size and structure and are interchangeable. Likewise, the primary and secondary housings preferably each have a chamber  720  within their hollow interiors for receiving a weight or weights. A variety of weights having different weights, such as ½, 1, and 1½ pounds, may be used, but preferably should be of similar size. 
         [0034]    A preferred embodiment of a system architecture for the electronics in the primary handle is shown in  FIG. 8 . A microprocessor  810  stores various data and processes within its internal memory (not shown) and is power by battery  850 . The stored data may of any of a variety of types, may be simple or complex, and may be generic or specific to a user. For example, the data may be limited to the current workout or may include date and time information from a variety of past workouts or even a variety of users to provide users with records of their workouts or long periods of time. An alternative embodiment could include means, such as a USB, infrared or Ethernet port, for downloading or exporting information to a separate device such as a PC or a PDA. Such a means for exporting data further could be a port for receiving a memory device such as a flash memory, a memory stick, or the like. Such means also could be used for importing or uploading data, music, software or workout programs. 
         [0035]    The microprocessor receives inputs from controls  830 , counting mechanism  840  and heart monitor  812 . The controls may be simple or complex depending on the particular embodiment. The controls may permit customization of a variety of factors, such as by permitting a user to enter identifying information and setting workout preferences such as desired heart rate ranges, workout time limits or intervals. The controls  830  may provide for a variety of inputs, such as on/off, reset, pulse range, turn pace and the like may be provided. Likewise, the controls may be used to set desired heart rate ranges, workout times, or workout intervals. The controls may come in any of a variety of forms from simple on/off and reset button controls to arrow keys, enter buttons and display menus. 
         [0036]    Microprocessor  810  processes the various data received and outputs display data to display panel  820 , which has one or more displays  122 . The microprocessor may calculate and/or cause the display  820  to display a variety of information relating to the user including, but not limited to, turn count, turns per minute, average turns per minute, estimated total calories burned, estimate calories burned per time increment, time, running time, remaining workout time, heart rate, average heart rate, maximum heart rate, and minimum heart rate. 
         [0037]    In an alternative embodiment, the system may have a speaker  860  or speakers for making various sounds such as a simulated click of a rope. As noted above, the primary handle has a counting mechanism or device within the handle that counts each rotation of the metal rod or stem on its axis in order to produce statistical analysis of the users exercise. The handle utilizes an internal computer device or processor to record the number of rotations, rate of rotation, calculate calories burned during use, and the time of use. The primary handle also generates a “snap” sound that simulates the sound made by a traditional jump rope hitting a solid surface such as cement upon completion of each rotation in either direction. Beeps or other sounds may be used to denote particular time intervals such as one, five, or ten minute increments. Sounds likewise may be used to indicate, for example, that a minimum heart rate has been reached or a maximum heart rate has been exceeded. Additional sounds, such as a pace indicator likewise may be used. Such sounds emitting from the speaker may be as simple as beeps or may be more complex sounds such a music or voice recordings. Alternatively, a headphone jack may be used in place of an internal speaker. 
         [0038]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.