Abstract:
A rope swing handle bar apparatus and system. The apparatus is centered on a cylindrical body through which a rope fits. The rope can generally be tied to a fixed object such as a tree branch. The handle bar typically includes handles having grips. The handles generally attached perpendicular to the cylindrical body. A washer is connected to one end of the body. A knot can be tied into the rope and the washer generally prevents the knot from becoming untied. The body is treated to prevent wear on the rope.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field rope swings and, more particularly, to a rope swing handle bar apparatus and system. 
   II. Description of the Related Art 
   Rope swings are commonly used for a variety of entertainment purposes. Typically, a user ties several knots into a rope and uses the rope for swinging. Typically, rope knots do not provide the best engagement with the rope because a user&#39;s hand can be pinched by the knot or can slip over the knot. Furthermore, direct engagement with the rope can cause rope burns on the user&#39;s hand or other parts of the body. Furthermore, it can be difficult for a user to engage the rope other than with the user&#39;s hands. 
   SUMMARY 
   In general, the invention features a rope swing handle bar apparatus and system. The apparatus is centered on a cylindrical body through which a rope fits. The rope can generally be tied to a fixed object such as a tree branch. The handle bar typically includes handle having grips. The handles generally attached perpendicular to the cylindrical body. A washer is connected to one end of the body. A knot can be tied into the rope and the washer generally prevents the knot from becoming untied. The body is treated to prevent wear on the rope. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention features a rope swing apparatus, including a generally cylindrical body having an upper end and a lower end, a washer connected to the lower end and a handle connected to either side of the cylindrical body and in opposition to one another. 
   In one implementation, the apparatus further includes a channel through the cylindrical body. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes an opening in the washer, the opening of the washer having a diameter matched to the diameter of the channel. 
   In another implementation, the upper is defined by an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter being chamfered. 
   In another implementation, the washer has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical body. 
   In another implementation, the washer includes an opening having an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter being chamfered. 
   In yet another implementation, the handles are connected generally perpendicular to the cylindrical body. 
   In still another implementation, the handles are connected adjacent the lower end. 
   In another implementation, the handles are located a first distance from the upper end and a second distance from the lower end. 
   In another implementation, the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes grips on the outer ends of the handles. 
   In another implementation, the outer ends include an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter being chamfered. 
   In another implementation, the inner ends of the handles are bent inwards creating a bulge towards the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical body. 
   In another implementation, the bulges are reinforced by welds. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a rope swing system, including a rope swing apparatus, having a generally cylindrical body having an upper end and a lower end, and a channel defined therethough, a washer connected to the lower end having an opening with a diameter matched to the diameter of the channel, the washer further having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body, thereby forming a wall, a handle connected to either side of the cylindrical body and in opposition to one another and a rope threaded through the channel and through the opening of the washer, the rope having a knot in contact with the wall of the washer. 
   In one implementation, the upper end includes a chamfered inner perimeter adapted to come into contact with the rope. 
   In another implementation, the opening in the washer includes an chamfered inner perimeter adapted to come into contact with the rope. 
   In another implementation, the chamfered perimeters prevent wearing and fraying of the rope. 
   One advantage of the invention is that it provides a strength-building exercise for children and adults alike. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a manageable handle for a rope swing. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it allows a user to engage a rope swing without having to directly touch the rope. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it helps to minimize rope burns associated with the use of rope swings. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it aids in providing better engagement with a rope swing not achieved by gripping the rope or a knot in the rope alone. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it allows the user to engage a rope swing other than with the user&#39;s hands, such as with the user&#39;s feet, legs and buttocks. 
   Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus and system; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rope swing handle bar system in a typical use; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a partial cut away side view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus; and 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a partial cut away bottom view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus  100  and system  300 . The system  300  typically includes the apparatus  100  and a rope  200  threaded through the apparatus, secured by a knot  205 . In general, the apparatus  100  includes a central cylindrical body  105 . The cylindrical body  105  is generally hollow allowing the rope  200  to be threaded through the entirety of the cylindrical body  105 . It is understood that other geometrical cross sections other than circular are contemplated for the body  105 . However, it is further understood that the cylindrical body  105  is most logical to accommodate the rope  200 . The cylindrical body  105  includes an upper end  106  and a lower end  107 . A washer  110  having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body  105  is connected to the lower end  107 . The diameter of the opening of the washer  110  is matched to the diameter of the channel of the cylindrical body  105  to be able to provide a single continuous opening for the rope  200 . The washer  110  provides a wall  111  with a generally large surface area that provides a surface onto which the knot  205  can rest and be pressed against during use. Therefore, the wall  111  prevents the knot  205  from becoming untied and actually helps to tighten the knot  205  during use. In addition, a short amount of excess rope  210  is shown below the washer  110 . The user can have more or less excess rope  210  depending on preference and the like. 
   The apparatus  100  further includes handles  120 ,  125  connected to opposite sides on the outer surface of the cylindrical body  105 . The handles  120 ,  125  are connected in opposition to provide a continuous handle support for the user as described further below. In addition, the handles  120 ,  125  are connected generally perpendicular to the cylindrical body  105 . In general, the handles  120 ,  125  are much longer than the overall length of the cylindrical body  105 . The handles  120 ,  125  being longer than the cylindrical body allows a greater torque to be applied on the handles  120 ,  125  by the user&#39;s weight in order to provide freedom of movement of the apparatus  100  during use. If the handles  120 ,  125  are too short, then a greater effort is required by the user to overcome the torque needed to twist the cylindrical body  105  with respect to the rope  200 . In addition, each handle  120 ,  125  is connected to the cylindrical body adjacent the lower end  107  and the washer  107 . Therefore, the length L 1  between the handles  120 ,  125  and the upper end  106  is greater than the length L 2  between the handles  120 ,  125  and the lower end  107 . In general, the length differential between L 1  and L 2  aids in allowing the user to twist the apparatus  100  as needed. In general, by keeping L 2  short compared to L 1 , the force of gravity of the user on the apparatus can be used to twist the apparatus  100  during use. If L 2  becomes larger than L 1 , then the force of gravity is used against the user&#39;s efforts to twist the apparatus  100 . In essence, L 1  is the length of the fulcrum arm from the pivot point and fulcrum created at the intersection of the upper end  106  with the rope, with the weight of the user being provided at the end of that fulcrum arm. Therefore, the longer L 1 , the less force needed to provide a good torque on the cylindrical body. The shorter L 1 , the more force needed to create the same torque as described immediately above. 
   Each end  121 ,  126  of the handles  120 ,  125  are bent inward so that a portion of the ends  121 ,  126  bulges toward the upper end  106  and lower end  107  of the cylindrical body  105 . This bulging provides additional support for the handle bars  120 ,  125  in their connection to the cylindrical body  105 . The bulging  130  helps to prevent fatigue at the connection points between the handles  120 ,  125  and the cylindrical body. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus is formed of metal and therefore additional welds can be added at the connection point between the handles  120 ,  125  and the cylindrical body  105 . 
   Each handle  120 ,  125  further includes grips  140 ,  145  for the user to grab during use. The grips  140 ,  145  are typically a material suitable for a comfortable and secure grip such as rubber. 
   It is appreciated that in general a variety of ropes with varying diameters can be used in the system  300 . However, it is appreciated that if the diameter of the rope  200  becomes too small with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical body  105 , the knot  205  may not be large enough and can be pulled through the washer  110  and the cylindrical body when a user engages the apparatus  100 . Therefore, in general, it is appreciated that the diameter of the rope  200  should be close to the diameter of the cylindrical body  105  and opening in the washer  110 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a rope swing handle bar system  300  in a typical use. A user  500  is shown grasping the grips  140 ,  145  with her hands. The user  500  is therefore providing a gravitational force downwards on the apparatus  100  as described above. It is appreciated that the user  500  can engage the apparatus  100  is a variety of other ways, such as by placing the back of her knees on the handles  120 ,  125  and hanging upside down. The user  500  can also sit on the handles  120 ,  125  and grasp a portion of the rope with her hands. The user can also place her feet on the handles  120 ,  125  and stand on the apparatus  100 . It is appreciated that there are a variety of ways that a user can engage the apparatus  100 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a partial cut away side view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus  100 . As described above, the apparatus  100  includes the central cylindrical body  105  having an upper end  106  and a lower end  107 . The partial cutaway view shown the channel  108  of the cylindrical body  105 . The washer  110  having the wall  111  is connected to the lower end  107 . The diameter of the opening of the washer  110  is matched to the diameter of the channel of the cylindrical body  105  to be able to provide a single continuous opening for the rope  200 . The apparatus  100  further includes the handles  120 ,  125  connected to either side of the cylindrical body  105  creating a length differential between L 1  and L 2 . Each end  121 ,  126  of the handles  120 ,  125  are bent inward so that a portion of the ends  121 ,  126  bulges toward the upper end  106  and lower end  107  of the cylindrical body  105 . In this side view, the bulges  130  are further appreciated as bulging toward the upper and lower ends  106 ,  107  of the cylindrical body  105 . The handles  120 ,  125  each include the grips  140 ,  145  for the user to grab during use. 
   One side of the apparatus  100  is shown in partial cutaway to appreciate further features of the apparatus  100 . In general, the partial cutaway view illustrates that the handles  120 ,  125  are typically hollow. The hollow feature helps to minimize weight and to allow the bulges  130  to be easily created. Furthermore, the outer perimeter of the outer ends  122 ,  127  are chamferred in order to reduce sharp edges on the ends  122 ,  127 . The main advantage of the chamfered ends  122 ,  127  is for easy placement of the grips  140 ,  145 . With a sharp edge, the grips  140 ,  145  would be caught and snagged during placement. In addition, the chamfered ends  122 ,  127  prevent wear and tear on the inner portion of the grips  140 ,  145  during use. 
   The partial cutaway view further illustrates that the inner perimeter of the upper end  106  of the cylindrical body  105  is also chamfered. Furthermore, the inner perimeter  112  of the opening  113  of the washer  110  is also chamferred. Since the rope  200  comes into direct contact with the inner perimeter of the upper end  106  and the inner perimeter  112  of the washer  110 , any significant edge can cause the rope  200  to tear and fray thus significantly reducing the useful life of the rope. The chamferring aids in prolonging the life of the rope. Therefore, the apparatus  100  is generally treated to protect the rope  200 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a partial cut away bottom view of a rope swing handle bar apparatus  100 . This bottom view illustrates the washer  110 , inner chamferred perimeter  112 , the opening  133  of the washer and the channel  108  of the cylindrical body  105 . As described above, the diameter of the opening  113  of the washer  110  is matched to the diameter of the channel  108  of the cylindrical body  105  to be able to provide a single continuous opening for the rope  200 . The apparatus  100  further includes the handles  120 ,  125  connected to either side of the cylindrical body  105 . The bottom view also gives an appreciation of the direction of the bends, as indicated by arrows A, B, on each end  121 ,  126  of the handles  120 ,  125  creating the bulges  130  as described above. The handles  120 ,  125  each include the grips  140 ,  145  for the user to grab during use. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.