Patent GB-402806-A (GB)
Title: Metal hoop for athletic exercises and sports
IPC: A63B19/00
Filed: 1932-06-02
Abstract: 402,806. Hoop for athletic exercises and sports. GIRARD, F., and GOTTBURG, M., 33, Birkenhainerstrasse, Hanau-on-Main, Germany. June 2, 1932, No. 15692. [Classes 132 (i), 132 (ii), and 132 (iii).] A metal hoop for use as a trundling hoop, as a discus for throwing or as a means for exercise by jumping over or through it or by crawling through it while it is rolling is provided with one or more members which are applied at various positions on the inner periphery, and which consist of two clamping jaws so embracing the crosssection of the body of the hoop that the tread remains uncovered. In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the metal hoop a, which may consist of braided or twisted wires a<1> wound round with strips of material or provided with a vulcanised rubber covering a<11>, has secured to it at adjustable positions clamping members b to which are secured at holes b<0> wires or spokes c which act as stiffening members and are provided with tensioning members. The clamping members b comprise jaws b<1>, b<2> which are screw-connected at d and may be hinged together at f as in Fig. 7. The members b may be used for clamping together the ends of the hoop or sections of the hoop. As shown in Fig. 6 beak-like projections a<0> on the ends of the sections fit into recesses in the jaws bl or b<2> or lie against stops such as the connecting screws d. Alternatively the jaws b<1>, b<2> may be provided with projections and the ends of the hoop sections with recesses, or the screws d may engage in suitable grooves provided at the ends of the sections. The hoop is made of an elastic material of great tensile strength, such as spring steel or beryllium bronze, and it may be solid or hollow and of circular, elliptical or other cross-section. In a modified construction for clamping the ends of the hoop when built up of braided wires, the ends of the hoop are provided with extended parts formed by flattening out the metal of the hoop or by pouring in additional metal whereby the said parts abut against the inner surfaces of the clamping jaws to prevent the withdrawal of the ends of the hoop from between the jaws. In the construction shown in Fig. 10 the clamping members bl lock the ends of the hoop together and are connected by a double pivot to spokes i so that the spokes can be moved to any position in or out of the plane of the hoop to vary the area available for jumping or crawling through as shown in Fig. 12. The spokes may have balls i<1> at their free ends to prevent accidents. If the hoop is to be used only for jumping exercises the jaws b may be soldered to the hoop as in Fig. 16. A modified construction is shown in Fig. 18 in which adjacent clamping jaws b are connected together in pairs by flexible members k which may be wires in the form of helices. By altering the distance between the clamping jaws b, the free space within the hoop can be varied. Some of the jaws may be immovable, e.g. soldered as in Fig. 16. The rolling movement of the hoop may be retarded periodically, e.g., the hoop may be elliptical or of irregular shape, or the clamping members may be unevenly distributed around the hoop so that the hoop is weighted asymmetrically.