Patent Publication Number: US-11654320-B2

Title: System and method for exercise equipment hinge

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/390,656, filed Apr. 22, 2019 titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT HINGE”, which application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,996 filed Apr. 24, 2018 titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT HINGE,” the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various pieces of exercise equipment may be used to build muscle, reduce body fat, and improve cardiovascular endurance. A jump rope (e.g., skipping rope) provides all of these benefits and more. In operation, a user may hold a handle in each hand, the handles being connected together via a rope. As the user rotates their wrists, the rope moves in a circular or arc-like trajectory and the user jumps into the air to avoid having the rope strike their legs as the rope makes a full rotation. Jump ropes typically include a rope that is fixed to the handles such that repeated use may lead to tangling or kinking due to the rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is front perspective view of an embodiment of a jump rope, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top plan view of handles of a jump rope, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a hinge mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic side elevational view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded view of an embodiment of a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a partial detailed view of an embodiment of a hinge mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The present technology, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a hinge system (e.g., hinge mechanism) for use with a jump rope. The hinge system provides rotation about a first axis for a fixed or predetermined range. In certain embodiments, the hinge mechanism acts as a mechanical bearing to connect two solid objects while enabling a limited range of motion between them. Furthermore, the hinge system provides for rotation about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. For example, the hinge system may include a rotary mechanism (e.g., bearing arrangement) to provide full 360-degree rotational freedom for the hinge system relative to a handle. This multi-axis movement may provide improved performance of the jump rope, as the rope may not tangle or otherwise kink during rotation of handles of the jump rope. In other words, the hinge system and accompanying bearing arrangement enable freedom of movement in at least two directions. 
     Various embodiments also describe one or more tracking features within the jump rope to facilitate recording and/or feedback regarding use of the jump rope. For example, various embodiments may be directed toward a smart jump rope that tracks complete rotations of the hinge and/or rope. In embodiments, the handle includes a sensor assembly that tracks rotation of the hinge system relative to the handle. Full rotations can be counted as part of the smart jump rope device and transmitted, for example to a wearable device for tracking fitness activities, via a communication protocol such as BLUETOOTH™. 
       FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a jump rope  100  having a hinge mechanism  102  (e.g., hinge system) utilized to couple a rope  104  to handles  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rope  104  couples to respective handles  106 A,  106 B via the hinge mechanism  102  at first ends  108  of the handles  106 , while second ends  110  of the handles  106  include a cap  112 . In certain embodiments, the cap  112  is removable to enable access to the internal components of the handles  106 , which will be described in detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles  106  include a contoured grip  114  to conform to the shape of a human hand, thereby improving comfort for the user operating the jump rope, for example as part of a fitness program. The illustrated handle  106 A includes a switch  116 , which may be an on/off button to activate the jump rope  100 . As will be described, the switch  116  may transmit a signal to a battery arranged within the handle  106 A to activate one or more components within the handle  106 A, such as a printed circuit board and/or a display. Additionally, the handle  106 A includes a toggle switch  118  that may be utilized to scroll through settings, which may be presented to the user on a display (not pictured) which may be formed in the handle  106 A. The display may include data regarding the exercise performed by the user (e.g., number of rotations, time, calories burned, etc.) or information regarding operation of the jump rope  100  (e.g., battery life, connectivity, etc.). 
     It should be appreciated that various features illustrated in the jump rope  100  are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. For example, while the power switch  116  and the toggle switch  118  are illustrated on the handle  106 A, it should be appreciated that the switches  116 ,  118  may not be on the same handle  106 . Furthermore, the functionality may be integrated into a single switch. For example, the power switch  116  may be formed between the selectors of the toggle switch  118 . 
       FIG.  2    is a top plan view of an embodiment of the jump rope  100  illustrating the handles  106  being coupled together via the rope  104  that is connected to the handles  106  via respective hinge mechanisms  102 . The illustrated hinge mechanisms  102  enable 180 degree rotation relative to an axis  200  (e.g., a first axis, a rope axis) extending through a fastener  202 . That is, the hinge mechanism  102  enables plus or minus 90 degrees of rotational movement about the axis  200 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the range of movement about the axis  200  may be different. For example, the illustrated hinge mechanisms  102  may enable approximately 220 degrees of rotation relative to the axis  200  (e.g., about the axis  200 ) extending through the fastener  202 . In various embodiments, the hinge mechanism  102  enables plus or minus 110 degrees of rotational movement about the axis  200 . Further, in certain embodiments, the range of rotation about the axis  200  may be approximately 140 degrees. It should be appreciated that various ranges of movement about the axis  200  may be provided in order to facilitate smooth movement of the rope  104  in an arching path as the handle  106  is rotated. As illustrated, the hinge mechanism  102  includes an upper hinge portion  204  and a lower hinge portion  206 . The upper hinge portion  204  includes a tube  208  that receives the rope  104 . The tube  208 , or at least a portion coupled to the tube  208 , is inserted into the lower hinge portion  206  and coupled together via the fastener  202 , such as a screw or a pin. In other words, the upper hinge portion  204  is coupled to the lower hinge portion  206 . The fastener  202  acts as a pivot point for the hinge mechanism  102 , thereby enabling rotation of the upper hinge portion  204  about the fastener  202  (e.g., about the axis  200 ) over a range of approximately 180 degrees, in certain embodiments, but as noted above the range can be particularly adjusted. 
       FIG.  3    is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the handle  106  including the hinge mechanism  102  having the upper hinge portion  204  and the lower hinge portion  206 . As shown, the upper hinge portion  204  is inserted into the lower hinge portion  206 . The lower hinge portion includes a pair of arms  300  that extend upwardly and away from the handle  106  to thereby form a cavity or slot  302  to receive the upper hinge portion  204 . In various embodiments, the upper hinge portion  204  includes a tab  304  (e.g., extension, insert, etc.) that is arranged between the arms  300  of the lower hinge portion  206 . For example, the tab  304  may be a portion of the tube  208  that receives the rope  104 . In various embodiments, the tab  304  is integrally formed to the tube  208 . However, in various embodiments, the tab  304  may be a separate attachable component. Furthermore, in embodiments, the rope  104  may be a replaceable component, and as a result, the rope  104  may be a separate component that also includes the tube  208  and/or the tab  304 . In this manner, ropes  104  may be easily changed out and replaced while still including the tube  208  and/or tab  304  to facilitate coupling to the lower hinge portion  206 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the tab  304  may not be present and the tube  208  may have a diameter to facilitate insertion into the slot  302 . The fastener  202  in the illustrated embodiment is a screw, but it should be appreciated that other fasteners, such as pins, dowel rods, or the like may be utilized. As described above, the hinge mechanism  102  enables rotation of the upper hinge portion  204  about the axis  200  extending through the fastener  202 . 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  3    has removed an upper cap ( FIG.  8   ) from the handle  106  to provide visual access to a rotary mechanism  306  (e.g., bearing system) enabling rotational movement of the hinge system  102  relative to a longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . Accordingly, the upper hinge portion  204  has at least two degrees of freedom of movement. That is, the upper hinge portion  204  may rotate about the longitudinal axis  308  (e.g., via the rotary mechanism  306 ) and also rotate about the axis  200 . The rotary mechanism  306  may include one or more bearings  310 , such as ball bearings or journal bearings, to enable 360-degree rotation of the hinge system  102  relative to the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . As will be described below, the lower hinge portion  206  may include a protrusion that extends through an aperture formed in the rotary mechanism  306  to thereby receive and support the lower hinge portion  206 . The above-described hinge mechanism  102  provides an accurate tracking of skips (described below) while providing an authentic jumping experience in which the rope  104  is not tangled or otherwise interferes with the jumping action. For example, if the rope  104  were to come straight out of the handle  106  (e.g., without the hinge mechanism  102 ), then the number of skips may not be accurately counted due to the limited range of motion of the rope  104 . Furthermore, fixing the rope  104  at an angle, such as straight out from the handle  106 , may limit the motion of the rope  104  and/or the ability of the user to perform certain jump tricks due to the restriction caused by the position of the rope  104 . 
       FIG.  4    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the hinge mechanism  102  in which the upper hinge portion  204  is at an upper boundary of the range of motion. In certain embodiments, the upper hinge portion  204  may contact the handle  106  to thereby prevent further rotation about the axis  200  extending through the fastener  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the axis  200  extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the page. However, in certain embodiments, a stop or other mechanism (not pictured) may be arranged on the hinge mechanism  102  to limit the rotation of the upper hinge portion ( 206 ). For example, the stop may extend from the lower hinge portion  204  to block the upper hinge portion  204  from contacting the handle  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rope  104  is illustrated as extending into and being secured within the upper hinge portion  204 . For example, the rope  104  extends into the tube  208 . The rope  104  may include a sheath or cover, for example made of a polymer material. 
       FIG.  5 A  is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the handle  106 . As shown, the rope  104  extends and couples to the upper hinge portion  204 , which extends into the slot  302  formed in the lower hinge portion  206  and is secured via the fastener  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  106  includes a clamp  500  arranged proximate the hinge mechanism  102 . The clamp  500  may be utilized to tighten the rope  104  and/or the hinge mechanism  102 . That is, the clamp  500  may be used to provide friction to thereby reduce a speed at which the hinge mechanism  102  rotates about the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . Moreover, in embodiments, the clamp  500  may be used to secure the hinge mechanism  102  to the handle  106 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp  500  is arranged proximate an outer diameter of the first end  108  of the handle  106 . The clamp  500  may include threads or the like to couple to the handle  106  and may, in various embodiments, apply a pressure or frictional force to the rotary mechanism  306 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary mechanism  306  is positioned radially inward from the clamp  500 . Moreover, the rotary mechanism  306  and clamp  500  are coaxial along the longitudinal axis  308 . In various embodiments, rotation of the clamp  500 , about the longitudinal axis  308 , in a first direction may apply a force to the rotary mechanism  306 , such as along an outer diameter of the rotary mechanism  306 , while rotation in a second rotation may release or remove a force from the rotary mechanism  306 . However, it should also be appreciated that the clamp  500  may be utilized to apply a frictional force to the lower hinge portion  206 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B . 
       FIG.  5 B  is partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the handle  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rope  104  extends into the upper hinge portion  204 , for example into the tube  208 . In various embodiments, the rope  104  is secured to the upper hinge portion  204  via a clamp, a fastener, an adhesive, or any other reasonable coupling mechanism. The upper hinge portion  204  extends into the slot  302  formed between the arms  300  of the lower hinge portion  206  and is secured to the lower hinge portion  204  via the fastener  202 , which is a pin in the illustrated embodiment. The clamp  500  is illustrated as securing the hinge mechanism  102  to the handle  106 . However, as described above, the clamp  500  may also be utilized to tighten the rope  104  and/or the hinge mechanism  102  to add friction to the rotation of the hinge mechanism  102 , for example via the rotary mechanism  306 , relative to the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . It should be appreciated that the rotary mechanism  306  has been removed from the illustrated embodiment for clarity, however, it should be appreciated that in various embodiments the rotary mechanism may be arranged about the lower hinge portion  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp  500  may apply a frictional force to the lower hinge portion  206 , thereby reducing rotation via the rotary mechanism, for example, slowing rotation within a journal bearing or by ball bearings facilitating rotation of the lower hinge portion  206 . 
       FIG.  6    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the handle  106  having the hinge mechanism  102  arranged at the first end  108 . It should be appreciated that various portions of the handle  106  are illustrated as see through (such as a lower portion) or to include lines indicative of textures or elevation changes. The rope  104  has been removed for clarity. The illustrated handle  106  includes a body  600  having the contoured grip  114  for ergonomic purposes when the user interacts with the handle  106 . As shown, the toggle switch  118  is arranged on the handle  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the toggle switch  118  further includes an enter button  602 , which may be utilized to navigate a user menu, which may be visible on a display (not pictured). Moreover, as described above, in various embodiments the enter button  602  may double as the power switch  116 . For example, a long press (e.g., above a threshold period of time) may be for power supply operation while a short press (e.g., below a threshold period of time) may be for selection or navigation purposes. 
     Further illustrated is the cap  112  arranged at the second end  110  of the handles  106 . As described above, in various embodiments the cap  112  provides access to an interior portion of the handles  106 . For example, the cap  112  may provide access to replace a battery, add weights to the handle  106 , or the like. However, it should be appreciated that the cap  112  may be secured to the remainder of the body  600  to block access to the interior portions. 
     As described above, the rotary mechanism  306  is arranged proximate the first end  108 , and is illustrated in  FIG.  6    at a location where the body  600  is see-through for illustrative purposes. The rotary mechanism receives the lower hinge portion  206  within the body  600  to facilitate rotation of the lower hinge portion  206  about the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . The illustrated embodiment further includes the fastener  202  for coupling the upper hinge portion  204  to the lower hinge portion  206 . As shown, the upper hinge portion  204  extends into the slot  302  formed between the arms  300 . As described above, in various embodiments, the upper hinge portion  204  may rotate about the axis  200 . 
       FIG.  7    is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the handle  106  having the hinge mechanism  102  arranged at the first end  108  and the switch  116  (e.g., the on/off switch) arranged proximate the contoured grip  114 . In certain embodiments, a display may also be arranged on the handle to provide information to the user, such as data related to an exercise program or usage information such as power availability and connectivity. The illustrated embodiment further includes the fastener  202  coupling the upper hinge portion  204  to the lower hinge portion  206 , as described above. As described above, the fastener  202  enables rotation of the upper hinge portion  204  relative to the lower hinge portion  206  about the axis  200  extending through the fastener  202 . 
       FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the handle  106 . As described above, the handle  106  includes the body  600  having the contoured grip  114  to accommodate a human hand holding the handle  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second end  110  of the handle  106  includes the cap  112  for securing the contents within the handle  106 . A weight  800  is arranged within the handle proximate the cap  112 . The weight  700  may be used to adjust the difficulty of the exercise program the user undergoes. For example, a heavier handle  106  may require more effort for the user to successfully rotate the handle  106  to move the rope  104  in the circular or arc-like movement. The illustrated embodiment also includes a magnet  802  proximate the weight  800  and a magnet enclosure  804  to secure the magnet  802  to the weight  800 . The magnet  802  may secure the weight  800  into position to prevent the weight  800  from moving or throwing the handle  106  off balance. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , the handle further includes a display  806 , which may be an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) or any other type of display. In embodiments, the handle  106  has an opening or aperture to enable visibility of the display  806 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that while the display  806  is illustrated as being substantially centered within the body  600 , the display  806  may be closer to the opening or aperture to improve visibility. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the handle  106 , for example the portion proximate the display  806 , is formed from a semi-transparent material to provide visibility of the display  806 . The handle further includes a printed circuit board  808  (PCB) which may include a memory or processor for executing one or more programs stored on the memory. In the illustrated embodiment, a power source  810  is further included to provide operational power to the components, such as the display  806  and the PCB  808 . The illustrated power source is a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. While not shown in the illustrated embodiment, a port may be provided in the body  600  to receive a cable from a power supply to recharge the power source  810 . Furthermore, in embodiments, the power source  810  may be rechargeable via other methods, such as electromagnetic induction. 
     In various embodiments, the jump rope  100  tracks a user&#39;s exercise progress by recording and displaying the number of rotations the jump rope makes over a period of time. In the illustrated embodiment, a sensor arrangement  812  (e.g., sensor assembly) includes a sensor  814  and a sensor magnet  816 . The sensor magnet  816  is arranged on a disc enclosure  818 , which is coupled to the rotary mechanism  306 . As a result, when the rotary mechanism  306  rotates the disc enclosure  818  and therefore the sensor magnet  816 , also rotate. As the sensor magnet  816  rotates past the sensor  814 , a signal may be transmitted indicating one rotation of the rope, which may correspond to one rotation of the rotary mechanism  306 . Accordingly, the sensor arrangement  812  may be utilized to track the number of rotations performed by the jump rope  100 . In various embodiments, the sensor arrangement  812  may include a Hall Effect sensor. Furthermore, in embodiments, different sensors, or additional sensors, such as accelerometers, reflective sensors, interrupter sensors, optical encoders, variable-reluctance sensors, and the like may also be utilized. 
     As described above, the handle further includes the hinge mechanism  102  coupled to the rotary mechanism  306 . As shown, the lower hinge portion  206  extends through the rotary mechanism  306  and is coupled to the rotary mechanism  306  such that rotation of the hinge mechanism  102  is enabled circumferentially about the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . The illustrated rotary mechanism  306  may include a journal bearing and/or ball bearing  310  to facilitate rotation of the lower hinge portion  206  about the longitudinal axis  308 . In various embodiments, the bearing  310  may be a journal bearing with a smooth finish and/or a dry lubricant that receives the lower hinge portion  206  through an aperture. Additionally, in embodiments, the bearing  310  may include ball bearings within an enclosure that facilitate rotation of the lower hinge portion  206 . 
     Moreover, the upper hinge portion  204  extends into the slot  302  of the lower hinge portion  206  and is secured via the fastener  202 . For example, the tab  304  extends into the slot  302  and includes one or more apertures to receive the fastener  202 , which extends through corresponding apertures in the arms  300 . The illustrated embodiment includes the rope  104  coupled to the upper hinge portion  204 . As shown, the rope  104  extends into the upper hinge portion  204  and may be secured to the upper hinge portion  204 , for example within the tube  208 , as described above. In various embodiments, an upper cap  820  is positioned at the first end  108  of the handle  106  to secure the hinge mechanism  102  to the handle  106 . In certain embodiments, the upper cap  820  restricts longitudinal movement of the hinge mechanism  102  and/or the rotary mechanism  306  along the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle. As a result, the hinge mechanism  102  is secured to the handle  106 . In various embodiments, the clamp  500 , described above, may be incorporated into the upper cap  820 . 
       FIG.  9    is an exploded view of an embodiment of the handle  106 . As described in detail above, the rope  104  is coupled to the upper hinge portion  204  which extends into the slot  302  formed by the arms  300  of the lower hinge portion  206 . For example, the tab  304  that is coupled to the tube  208  and forms at least a portion of the upper hinge portion  204 , in the illustrated embodiment, may be sized to enter the slot  302  such that an aperture  900  extending through the tab  304  aligns with apertures  902  extending through the arms  300 . The upper hinge portion  204  is secured to the lower hinge portion  206  by the fastener  202 , which enables rotational movement of the upper hinge portion  204  relative to the lower hinge portion  206  about the axis  200  extending through the fastener  202 . The illustrated upper cap  820  secures the hinge mechanism  102  to the handle  106 , for example to the body  600  of the handle  106 , and restricts longitudinal movement of the hinge mechanism  102  along the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . Moreover, in embodiments, the upper cap  820  may include the clamp  500  to apply a frictional force to adjust a rotational speed of the rotary mechanism  306 . The hinge mechanism  102  extends into the rotary mechanism  306  to thereby enable rotational movement of the hinge mechanism  102  circumferentially about the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . For example, an extension  904  of the lower hinge portion  206  may extend into an aperture formed within the rotary mechanism  306 . 
     The sensor arrangement  812  is illustrated within the body  600  of the handle  106  and includes the sensor magnet  816  coupled to the disc enclosure  818 . It should be appreciated that the disc enclosure  818  rotates along with the rotary mechanism  306 , and as a result, the sensor magnet  816  rotates about the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106 . The sensor arrangement  812  further includes the sensor  814  arranged on the PCB  808  at a fixed location. Accordingly, the sensor  814  will be activated when the sensor magnet  816  is positioned proximate the sensor  814 , which may transmit a signal to the PCB to record one rotation of the rope  104 . 
     Interior components of the handle  106  further include the display  806 , which may be communicatively coupled to the PCB  808  and powered by the power source  810  arranged within the handle  106 . In embodiments, the display  806  and the PCB  808  may receive signals indicative of instructions from the switch  116  and/or the toggle switch  118 . These instructions may turn the jump rope off and on, move between menu options, and the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  112  includes the weight  800  which is positioned proximate the magnet  802  and the magnet enclosure  804 . In certain embodiments, the cap  112  and weight  800  may be removable components that the user can change out to adjust their work out, that is, to increase the weigh to the handle  106  to make the work out more challenging. It should be appreciated that the cap  112  and weight  800  may be a joint component or singular components. The illustrated embodiment further includes a charging connector  906  for recharging the power source  810 . 
       FIG.  10    is a detailed perspective view of the hinge mechanism  102 . As illustrated, the lower hinge portion  206  extends out of the first end  108  of the handle  106 . In embodiments, the lower hinge portion  206  is secured to the handle  106  and longitudinal movement along the longitudinal axis  308  of the handle  106  is restricted by the upper cap  820 . The lower hinge portion  206  includes the arms  300  that form the slot  302  for receiving the upper hinge portion  204 . The apertures  902  extend through each of the arms  300  and align with the corresponding aperture  900  on the tab  304  of the upper hinge portion  204  to receive the fastener  202  and secure the upper hinge portion  204  to the lower hinge portion  206 . In various embodiments, the arms  300  may include a profile, such as a triangular profile, to improve strength and reduce weight. 
     The illustrated upper hinge portion  204  includes the tab  304 , which may be referred to as an attachment member, and the tube  208 , which may be referred to as a body member. As illustrated, a diameter  1000  of the body member  208  is larger than a second diameter  1002  the attachment member  304 . The size of the attachment member  304  may be particularly selected to correspond to a width  1004  of the slot  302  formed in the lower hinge portion  206 . In operation, the attachment member  304  is positioned within the slot  302  and the fastener  202  extends through the respective apertures  900 ,  902  to secure the upper hinge portion  204  to the lower hinge portion  206 . The illustrated fastener  202  will serve as a pivot to enable rotation of the upper hinge portion  204  relative to the lower hinge portion  206  about the axis  200  that extends through the fastener  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rope  104  is secured to the upper hinge portion  204 , as described above. 
     Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.