Abstract:
An exercising device for use by a child or an adult. This device includes a hollow plastic crossbar, and one or more hoops preferably hollow. Each hoop has an outer curved portion and two elongate straight portions with respective end portions. Each end portion has a fixed connection to the crossbar. The fixed connection is a pair of holes in the hollow crossbar, which receive a part of the straight portion with a press fit. The straight portion is adjustable relative to the crossbar by applying more than a preselected force thereon. The hoops are spaced apart at an equal angle spacing in a peripheral direction.

Description:
The invention generally relates to an exercising device, and in particular, the invention relates to an exercising device having rigid hoops mounted on a hand-held crossbar. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior art exercising device includes a hand-held crossbar and a single rope having opposite end portions fixedly connected to respective end portions of the crossbar. 
     One problem with the prior art exercising device is that it easily becomes entangled in the user&#39;s feet, since it is extremely difficult to maintain the rope&#39;s momentum such that it keeps its form throughout a revolution. 
     Another drawback of the prior art exercising device is that there are no means for improving the user&#39;s motor and coordination skills in a progressive manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an exercising device is provided. This exercising device comprises a crossbar with an axis and at least one rigid hoop, the hoop having an arcuate outer portion and having axially spaced end portions fixedly connected to the crossbar. 
     By using the rigid hoop, the problem of the tripping of the user is avoided. The present invention permits expansion of up to four (4) hoops. This provides a progression for the user which sharpens their eye and hand coordination skills. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercising device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the exercising device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view as taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a simpler version of the exercising device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercising device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the exercising device of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a section view of a portion of the exercising device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercising device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8a is an end view of a portion of the third embodiment of the invention, with the end cap removed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in FIG. 1 through 4, a first embodiment of exercising device 10 is provided for use by an adult or a child 12. Device 10 has an axis of rotation 11 and a direction of rotation 14. Device 10 includes a first hoop 20, a second hoop 30, and a crossbar 60. Hoops 20, 30 and crossbar 60 are hollow, tubular members. The material of hoops 20, 30 is a PVC plastic material. The crossbar 60 typically is made from a PVC material. 
     First hoop 20 has a radially outer arcuate or curved portion 22, and has elongate straight portions 24, 25, which have respective end portions 26, 27. End portions 26, 27 are fixedly connected to crossbar 60, and are axially spaced apart. Second hoop 30 also has a radially outer curved portion 32, and has elongate straight portions 34, 35, which have respective end portions 36, 37. Crossbar 60 has a center portion 62 and has opposite end caps 64, 65. Crossbar 60 has a plurality of pairs of holes 66, 67, 68, 69 at the left end thereof, and has a plurality of pairs of holes 70, 71, 72, 73 at the right end thereof. These pairs of holes at each end are disposed at alternating 90 degree positions. Outboard of pairs 66, 67, 68, 69 are two additional pairs of holes, 76, 77. Outboard of pairs 70, 71, 72, 73 are two additional pairs of holes, 78, 79 (see FIG. 2). End portions 26, 27, 36, 37, are a press fit into bushings (see FIG. 6) in respective holes 66, 71, 68, 73. Hoops 20, 30 can be forced radially inwardly by the application of respective forces 74, 75 thereon. In this way, hoops 20, 30 are adjustable in a radial direction to accommodate different user heights. 
     FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show the device 10 assembled with two hoops 20, 30, FIG. 4 shows the device 10, but with hoop 30 removed or disassembled therefrom. In using the device 10, a child 12 may prefer to start with only one hoop 20; and later, after successful use of the device 10 with one hoop 20, use the device 10 with both hoops 20, 30. 
     In one prototype of device 10, crossbar 60 has about a one inch outside diameter and a three-quarter inch inside diameter. Also, tubes 20 and 30 have a three-eighths inch outside diameter and a one-quarter inch inside diameter. Each hole pair 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, has about a three-eighths inch inside diameter and a press fit clearance. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a second embodiment of device 10 is provided. Parts of the second embodiment 10a, which are the same as parts of the first embodiment 10, have the same numerals, but with a subscript &#34;a&#34; added thereto. Device 10a has an axis 11a. Device 10a includes a first hoop 20a, a second hoop 30a, a crossbar 60a, a third hoop 40 and a fourth hoop 50. 
     First hoop 20a has a curved portion 22a, two straight portions 24a, 25a, and end portions 26a 27a. Second hoop 30a has a curved portion 32a, two straight portions 34a, 35a, and end portions 36a, 37a. Crossbar 60a has a center portion 62a, and has opposite end caps 64a, 65a. Crossbar 60a also has a plurality of pairs of holes, 66a, 67a, 68a, 69a, 76a, 77a, at the left end thereof. Crossbar 60a also has a plurality of pairs of holes 70a, 71a, 72a, 73a, 78a, 79a, at the right end thereof. Hoops 20a, 30a, 40, 50 have a 90-degree angular spacing about axis 11a. 
     Third hoop 40 has a curved portion 42, and elongate straight portions 44, 45 with respective end portions 46, 47. Fourth hoop 50 has a curved portion 52 and elongate straight portions 54, 55 with respective end portions 56, 57. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, typical pairs of holes 66a, 67a, 68a, 69a, have respective split rings or bushings 80, 82, 84, 86. End portions 26a, 46, 36a, 56 have respective plugs or screws 88, 90, 92, 94. As shown in FIG. 7, typical end portion 26a is assembled in bushing 80 which is assembled in pair of holes 66a. Screw 88 is thereafter tightened thereby expanding end portion 26a and bushing 80. In this way, end portion 26a is locked to crossbar 60a. In one prototype, the bushing 80 or 82 or 84 or 86 had a one-half inch outside diameter. 
     In device 10a, hoops 20a, 30a, 40, 50 and cross bar 60a are made of a PVC plastic material. Bushings 80, 82, 84, 86 are made of a nylon material. 
     In FIG. 8, a third embodiment of device 10 is shown. In the following discussion parts of third embodiment 10 which are the same as the first embodiment 10, will have the same numerals but with the subscript &#34;b&#34; added. 
     Device 10b has an axis 11b. Device 10b includes a first hoop 30b, a second hoop 100, a crossbar 60b, and a third hoop 102. 
     First hoop 30b has a curved portion 32b, two straight portions 34b, 35b and end portions 36b, 37b. Second hoop 100 has a curved portion 104, two straight portions 106, 108, and end portions 110, 112. Third hoop 102 has a curved portion 114, two straight portions 116, 118 and end portions 120, 122. 
     Crossbar 60b has a center portion 62b and has opposite end caps 64b, 65b. Crossbar 60b also has a plurality of pairs of holes, 66b, 67b, 68b, 69b, 76b, 77b at the left end thereof. Crossbar 60b also has a plurality of pairs of holes 70b, 71b, 72b, 73b, 78b, 79b at the right end thereof. Referring to FIG. 8a, the end portions 36b, 37b of first hoop 30b are inserted in hole pairs 66b, 73b respectively. End portions 110, 112 of second hoop 100 are inserted in hole pairs 76b, 78b respectively. End portions 120, 122 of third hoop 102 are inserted in hole pairs 77b, 79b. End portions 110, 112 are inserted into hole pairs 76b, 78b from the direction which permits straight portions 106, 108 to be angularly disposed 120 degrees from straight portions 34b, 35b. End portions 120, 122 are inserted into hole pairs 77b, 79b from the direction which permits straight portions 116, 118 to be angularly disposed 120 degrees from straight portions 106, 108. Each of the end portions are disposed in bushings such as described above in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7; and have respective screws inserted in end portions 36b 37b, 110, 112, 120, 122 to expand the end portion in its respective bushing. 
     Again, in device 10b, hoops 30b, 100, 102 and crossbar 60b are made of PVC plastic material. The bushings are made of a nylon material 
     The advantage of devices 10, 10a, and 10b, is that a child 12, or user is not as easily tripped by the rigid hoop as by the prior art rope. Another advantage is that a child 12 can improve eye and muscle coordination, as he or she progresses from one to two, to three, to four hoops. 
     In operation, the user holds the crossbar 60 or 60a in both hands close to the body, waist-high, with the top hoop clearing the head. The user turns the crossbar slowly, standing in one location, or running forward and jumping over the hoops, as it passes under the feet. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. 
     For example, the hoops in the various embodiments can be made from solid plastic material instead of hollow tubes. Also, the bushings can be made of another material instead of the nylon.