Patent Publication Number: US-6712779-B1

Title: Exercise and massage hoop

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/161,375, filed Oct. 26, 1999, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention broadly relates to exercise devices adapted for fitness training of individuals. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an exercise device that is directed to having an overall aerobics and coordination training effect. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a weighted hoop-shaped exercise device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Since mankind first began to have available leisure time, a broad range of sporting and exercise activities have drawn interest both from men and women. Among these diversions include a wide variety of games and sports. Many sporting activities, such as running, wrestling, swimming, etc. do not rely on the particular use of props. On the other hand, some sports and leisure activities employ simple props, such as balls, bats, clubs, rackets and even more complex instruments. 
     Historically, most of human population relied on manual labor in order to survive. As a result, the normal daily routine of most persons provided sufficient exercise to maintain a healthy body. In modern times, the movement away from intensive manual labor has caused a decline of the normal exercise received by many segments of the population. This is true for both assembly line workers and office personnel. Accordingly, there has been an increasing focus of attention on leisure time exercise. 
     While many persons actively participate in a variety of leisure time exercise programs, such activities normally take place at specialized facilities. Participation requires the individual to travel to such facilities, and it becomes all too easy to skip an exercise session. Home exercise equipment, on the other hand is often expensive, cumbersome and takes up excessive space in the dwelling. 
     Another disadvantage of exercise regimens is that they are often boring endeavors. Although calisthenics, such as push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, etc. are quite good exercise regimens, many persons simply find them boring. Therefore, it is a challenge to find exercise activities that are more enjoyable. 
     In addition to these considerations, it is advisable for most persons to engage in low impact exercise such as aerobics and aquatics. Such activities are favored in that they more gently stretch, tone and exercise the muscle groups. The present invention is directed to a low impact aerobic-type activity that is designed to be fun and entertaining during participation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful exercise device that is fun and entertaining for an individual to use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive aerobic exercise device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerobic exercise device that can readily be used in one&#39;s own home yet which requires a minimal amount of space for use and storage. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that massages the body while helping tone and strengthen the muscles. 
     According to the present invention, then, device is provided for exercising the human body. Broadly, the device according to the present invention includes a core configured in an annular shape and constructed of a rigid, first material. The core is received in a sleeve constructed with a second material that is relatively soft such that the core and the sleeve define a hoop that may be placed around a body part of the user. The user may then rotate the hoop by movement of the body. The core operates to supply a weight for exercising a body part while the sleeve operates to cushion the affect the core against the body part during rotation. 
     Preferably, the core is constructed of a solid steel rod having a circular cross-section although it is contemplated that the core be constructed of a hollow steel tube. Alternatively, other heavy, rigid materials such as plastics, metals (other than steel) and the like may be employed for the construction of the core. In any event, it is preferred that the rod is bent into an annular shape with the opposite rod ends being welded together. Where the core is a solid steel rod, it preferably has a diameter of between 0.335 inches (0.85 centimeter) and 0.415 inches (1.0 centimeter). Moreover, it is desired that the hoop have an internal radius of between 12 inches (30.5 centimeter) and 20 inches (51.0 centimeter). 
     The sleeve is preferably elongated and has opposite sleeve ends secured together by an adhesive so as to completely encase the core. Moreover, the sleeve preferably has a wall thickness of between 0.363 inches (0.92 centimeters) and 0.513 inches (1.3 centimeters). The material used to construct the sleeve may either frictionally grip the core or be loose-fitted about the core. Preferably the sleeve is constructed of a medium density, closed-cell polyvinyl chloride foam material such as that known as 700-Grip material. If desired, the external surface of the sleeve may be undulated in construction to provide for protrusions that project radially inwardly of the hoop. These circumferential ribs may be provided by a plurality of separate circumferential ribs spaced-apart by a plurality of circumferential troughs. Alternatively, a spiral thread-like rib may extend around the hoop. 
     The present invention is also directed to a method of exercising the human body. Here, the method includes the steps of placing a hoop around a body part of a user, such as the waist, wherein the hoop is formed by a rigid core of a first material and an outer sleeve of a soft material. Next, the hoop is rotated by movement of the body so that the hoop travels around the body part. 
     The present invention is also is directed to a method of forming the above-described exercise device. Here, the method includes forming an elongated, rigid but bendable member having opposite ends into an annular shape. The annular member is inserted into a sleeve of foam material that has opposite sleeve ends. Next, the ends of the elongated member are connected after it is connected after it is inserted into the sleeve. Finally, the sleeve ends are joined together after the ends of the elongated member are connected together. 
     The method according to the present invention may include the step of using a lubricating powder to facilitate insertion of the elongated member into the sleeve. Where the member is steel, the step of connecting is preferably accomplished by welding. The method may include the step of protecting the sleeve ends during welding by forcing them apart a sufficient distance so that the ends of the steel member may be welded together; thereafter, the sleeve ends are brought back together after the weld has cooled. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the exercise hoop device accordingly to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partially broken away, showing a segment of the exercise device of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a segment of a first alternative embodiment of the exercise device accordingly to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to an exercise device in the form of a hoop that may be placed around the waist or other body part of a user so that it travels around the body part upon rotation. As described below, this hoop is weighted and may be made in various weight ranges so as to require greater energy to rotate. The weight and construction materials also serve to aerobically exercise and massage the body of the user. 
     As is shown in FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a large hoop device  10  having an internal radius “r” that may be of any selected size but that preferably is within a range of about 12″ (30.5 cm) to 20″ (51 cm). With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be seen a solid annular core  12  that is constructed preferably from a relatively heavy, rigid material, such as steel, forms that hoop device  10 . It is desirable that this material be sufficiently stiff to hold the shape of the hoop and be slightly resilient to not be subject to deformed during use. While the rod is shown to be solid, it should be understood that the core  12  could be formed out of a hollow tubular material. 
     Core  12 , in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, is constructed of a first material, and is preferably a steel rod  14  that is configured into an annular shape and has its opposite ends  16  and  18  fastened together such as by weldment  20 . Other construction materials could be different metals, fiberglass, and plastics. In any event, steel rod  14  has a diameter of approximately 0.335″ (0.85 cm) to 0.415″ (1 cm) although it could be understood that smaller and larger diameters are within the scope of this invention. Naturally, the larger diameter steel will typically result in a hoop having a greater weight unless the cross-sectional dimension is changed. In any event, it is preferred that the diameter of rod  14  be approximately 0.375″ (0.95 cm). 
     Rod  14  is surrounded by an elongated sleeve  22  of a second material that is soft, and is preferably made of a resilient foam material that has a weight less than that of the core  12 , and the device can be constructed such that rod  14  is relatively gripped by sleeve  22  through friction. Alternatively, rod  14  can be loosely fitted relative to sleeve  22 . Sleeve  22  is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 where it may be seen that sleeve  22  has an internal cross-sectional diameter “d 1 ” that is preferably the same as the diameter of steel rod  14 . Thus, “d 1 ” is in a range of approximately 0.335″ (0.85 cm) to 0.415″ (1 cm) although it could be understood that smaller and larger diameters are within the scope of this invention. Naturally, the larger diameter steel will typically result in a hoop having a greater weight. In any event, it is preferred that the diameter of rod  14  be approximately 0.375″ (0.95 cm). Sleeve  22  has an outer diameter “d 2 ” that is preferably about 1.25″ (3.18 cm). This results in a wall thickness preferably of about 0.438″ (1.11 cm). However, it should be understood that the wall thickness of sleeve  22  may be varied as desired. For example, wall thicknesses of 0.363″ (0.92 cm) to 0.513″ (1.3 cm) have been found acceptable. 
     It is preferred that sleeve  22  be constructed of a medium density closed-cell polyvinyl chloride foam material such as that known as 700 grip available from Rubatex Corporation in Roanoke, Va. Other foam or sponge-like materials are also within the scope of this invention. By using closed-cell foam material, however, the foam sleeve will be less likely to absorb moisture and dirt and must be easier to maintain and clean. Moreover, the sponginess of close-cell foam provides a desired rebound as the exercise hoop is used. This foam material also serves to cushion the effect of the weighted steel rod  14  against body parts, such as hipbones, leg bones, etc. 
     To assemble hoop device  10 , the selected steel rod or other rigid member is bent into an annular shape, as noted above. Prior to welding ends  16  and  18  together, a suitable length of the sleeve  22  material is fed around the circular rod  14  wherein the rod is inserted into the sleeve  22 , until opposite sleeve  22  ends  24  and  26  are in confronting relation. To facilitate insertion of rod  14  through the internal passageway of sleeve  22 , talcum powder or other lubricating powder may be used. At this point, ends  24  and  26  are forced apart a sufficient distance so that ends  16  and  18  may be welded together with sleeves  22  in place. It is important to thermally protect ends  24  and  26  during the welding operation to avoid melting the foam material. After ends  16  and  18  are welded together, by weldment  20 , and the weld has cooled, ends  24  and  26  are brought back together. The confronting faces  28  and  30  of ends  24  and  26  are now joined or secured together by means of any suitable adhesive  32 . Where other materials are used to construct core  12 , the opposite ends can be joined after being bent into the circular shape by those techniques generally used in the industry. 
     A first alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  4 . Here, a section of an alternative construction of a hoop device  110  is shown wherein a heavy core  112  such as a steel rod is again used. Sleeve  122  is positioned over rod  112  in the manner described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, however, the outer surface of sleeve  122  is configured differently. Sleeve  122  has an external surface that is undulated an appearance to provide protrusions on the radially inward portion and preferably has a plurality of circumferential ribs  124  which are separated by a plurality of circumferential troughs  126  to provide knob-like undulations. The variation in the diameter of sleeve  122  provides an undulating area of contact with the body of the user when the hoop device  110  is employed. These knobs or undulations act to massage the user at the same time the user is exercising. Naturally, it should be understood that other configurations of the sleeve could be made in order to provide massaging structures. For example, the ribs and troughs could be a single spiral thread extending the length of the sleeve. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.