Hula hoop

Abstract

Hula hoop, characterized in that the hula hoop comprises: a rail assembly (10) comprising a plurality of rail units (50) connected end to end, the rail unit (50) comprising: an outer rail (52) having a receiving channel (522) located at a first end, and a projection portion (526) located at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the projection portion (526) of the outer rail (52) comprises lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) and a central projection portion (9264) arranged between the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266), and wherein the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) are configured to be inserted into a side channel (5222, 5226) of the receiving channel (522), wherein the central projection portion (9264) is used for snap connections between two adjacent outer rails (52), so that after assembly, a distance between an end face (9263, 9267) of the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) of the outer rail (52) and an end face (9223, 9227) of the adjacent outer rail (52) defining the side channel (5222, 5226) is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and an inner rail (56) which, together with the outer rail (52), defines an annular track; and a carriage (20), wherein on the carriage (20) there is provided a roller configured to slide on the annular track, wherein a light-emitting device is provided on the carriage.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a fitness device, in particular a hula hoop, in particular a luminous hula hoop. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A hula hoop is a lower back exercise device. Existing hula hoops are not just a single ring-shaped structure, but also an assembly component, in which a ring worn around the user's lower back defines a circular track, and a slider with a counterweight slides along the circular track.

[0003] Document CN216092050U discloses a light-emitting structure of a hula hoop body, comprising a hula hoop body, the hula hoop body comprising a plurality of units connected together to form a ring-like structure, wherein a light source and a light diffuser are provided in each of the units to cause the hula hoop body to emit light when needed. Such a device requires the arrangement of a light-emitting assembly in each unit.

[0004] Document CN217311770U discloses a silent smart hula hoop comprising a hula hoop body, a counter rotatably connected to the hula hoop body, and a counterweight portion fixedly connected to the counter, wherein the hula hoop body comprises a housing, wherein a rail is provided at the upper and lower ends on the inside of the housing, wherein a roller is provided on the counter that can roll around the rail.

[0005] The document CN 2 12 187 603 U discloses a hula hoop comprising a hula hoop body, a spinning element and a pulley, wherein the hula hoop body comprises a plurality of detachably connected hoop sections.

[0006] The documents CN 2 14 633 634 U and CN 1 12 717 321 A each disclose a removable multifunctional hula hoop comprising a hoop body, wherein a sliding element is slidably connected to the outside of the hoop body, and wherein the sliding element is connected to a counterweight arrangement.

[0007] The document DE 20 2013 102 233 U1 discloses an abdominal training device comprising: a ring-shaped rail; a sliding base mounted on the ring-shaped rail and rotating around the ring-shaped rail; and a counterweight connected to the sliding base by a cable.

[0008] Currently commercially available detachable hula hoops consist of a plurality of units connected end-to-end, with a connector provided between two adjacent units for detachable connection. The units are provided with grooves for inserting the connector, the ends of the connector being inserted into the grooves of the two adjacent unit sections, and the units are provided with a locking mechanism for holding the connector in the grooves. However, this structure causes a lot of noise during use because the units are not firmly connected to each other. Conventional noise reduction methods rely on reducing the number of units or more complex structures in the design to achieve noise reduction. CONTENT OF THIS APPLICATION

[0009] Regarding the above-mentioned problems, a hula hoop must be provided.

[0010] The hula hoop according to the invention comprises: a track assembly comprising a plurality of track units connected end to end, the track unit comprising an outer rail having a receiving channel located at a first end, a protrusion portion located at a second end opposite the first end; a pressing assembly configured to fasten the track unit and the adjacent track unit; an inner rail defining, together with the outer rail, the annular track; and a carriage, the carriage having a roller configured to slide on an annular track.

[0011] In some embodiments, the carriage comprises a first half and a second half defined by a parting plane, each of the first half and the second half comprising a base portion and a projecting portion, the base portion having one or more roller rods, the roller being mounted and rotatable on the roller rods.

[0012] In some embodiments, the protruding portion has a first opening, wherein the first openings of the two protruding portions together define a chamber body in which the light-emitting device is received, and wherein the light-emitting device is provided in the chamber body.

[0013] In some embodiments, a controller and a sensor for detecting movement of the carriage are provided in the carriage, the controller being configured to control the light-emitting device according to the detection of the sensor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the hula hoop further comprises a counterweight member, wherein the counterweight member is connected to the sled by a tether, and wherein the counterweight member comprises a housing, wherein the housing is filled with at least one of water, sand, and metallic particles.

[0015] In some embodiments, the inner rail has a locking groove at the first end, and the snap portion of the outer rail is configured to engage the locking groove so that the connection between the inner rail and the outer rail is stable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the positioning column.

[0016] In some embodiments, the pressing arrangement is switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position an elastic element of the pressing arrangement is deformed under load in order to remove it from the pressing body (541) of the pressing arrangement, and wherein in the second position an elastic element of the pressing arrangement is unloaded and remains substantially stationary relative to the outer rail and / or the inner rail.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inner rail includes a limiting column configured to limit the movement of the user-actuated pressing body.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pressing assembly further comprises a positioning body defining a positioning channel, wherein the positioning column of the outer rail extends through the positioning channel and is inserted into the positioning hole of the inner rail.

[0019] In some embodiments, the material of the roller is selected from at least one of nylon, polyoxymethylene, ABS, and polyurethane.

[0020] In some embodiments, the track unit comprises: an outer track; an inner track connected to the outer track and together defining the annular track; and a support member mounted on the inner track.

[0021] In some embodiments, the support member is positioned to be near one end of the inner rail.

[0022] This application provides an easily removable hula hoop.

[0023] The present application further provides a hula hoop with a light emitting device (LED).

[0024] The present application further provides a hula hoop with a counterweight element containing water, the amount of which is easily adjustable and which can be easily refilled.

[0025] The present application provides a hula hoop comprising: a track assembly comprising a plurality of track units connected end-to-end, the track unit comprising an outer track having a receiving channel located at a first end, a projection portion located at a second end opposite the first end; a pressing assembly; an inner track defining, together with the outer track, the annular track;and a carriage, wherein a roller is provided on the carriage and is configured to slide on an annular track, wherein the projection portion of the outer rail may comprise lateral projection portions and a central projection portion arranged between the lateral projection portions, and wherein the lateral projection portions are configured to be inserted into a side channel of the receiving channel, such that after assembly, a distance between an end face of the lateral projection portions of the outer rail and an end face of the adjacent outer rail defining the side channel is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm.;

[0026] The track unit of the hula hoop of the present application has a small gap between the outer rails, so that the rollers of the carriage, when sliding along the annular track defined jointly by the inner and outer rails, do not travel a long path with gaps (which would result in a blockage of the carriage's movement and simultaneously generate greater noise). This design significantly reduces noise generation and, in combination with the rollers made of the aforementioned materials, can even be silent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a hula hoop according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 shows a carriage according to an embodiment in detail in a perspective view. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the carriage. Fig. 4 shows a rear view of the carriage. Fig. 5 shows a rail arrangement with a plurality of rail units according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the rail units according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled rail units according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a recording channel. Fig. 9 shows two outer rails in the assembly process.

[0027] The same or similar numbers in the drawings indicate the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a hula hoop according to an embodiment of the present application. The hula hoop includes a track assembly 10 and a carriage 20 slidable on the track assembly 10. The track assembly 10 can be worn on the user's lower back, and the carriage 20, with the counterweight attached thereto, slides circumferentially with the rotation of the user's lower back.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed perspective view of a carriage 20 according to one embodiment. The carriage 20 may consist of two halves defined by a parting line or plane 26, each half comprising a base portion 21 and a protruding portion 22 extending therefrom. The two installed halves define an interior space in which various electronic components, such as sensors and control units, etc., can be arranged, as will be described in more detail later.

[0030] Each of the base sections 21 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and the base section 21 has one or more roller rods 212, each roller rod having a roller (not shown) rotatable about the roller rod 212. The material of the roller is selected from at least one of nylon, polyoxymethylene, ABS, and polyurethane. Preferably, the roller can be made of wear-resistant TPUGU80. The above-mentioned materials for making the roller facilitate the generation of less noise.

[0031] In some embodiments, each protruding portion 22 has a first opening, wherein the first openings of the two protruding portions 22 cooperate so that the installed carriage 20 defines a chamber body in which the light-emitting device (e.g., LED) is received. In some embodiments, two chamber bodies are arranged on a preferably curved, lateral plane of the carriage 20. A light-emitting device, which may be enclosed by a plastic housing, can be installed in the chamber body of the carriage.

[0032] Fig. 2 also shows a line opening 224 of the carriage 20 for inserting a line to be attached, which can be connected to a counterweight. In some embodiments, the line opening 224 is defined by only one of the two halves (i.e., it is formed in only a single half). In some embodiments, the line opening 224 is defined by both halves together. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each show a front and a rear view of the carriage 20. The carriage 20 can be provided on the front with a display or control panel 31, into which at least one push button can be integrated, which can be selected, for example, from a counting push button, a pause push button, and a reset push button, and which can also display the movement time and the number of revolutions. Accordingly, a charging port 41, for example a USB port, can be provided on the opposite side (e.g., on the rear) of the carriage 20. The carriage 20 also includes a plurality of holes 43, 45 for fastening screws.

[0033] A sensor, such as a speed sensor, in particular an angular velocity sensor, can be provided in the carriage 20 to detect the sliding speed of the carriage on the rail unit. A controller can also be provided in the carriage 20, into which a program can be loaded that, for example, controls the LEDs so that they light up according to the values detected by the sensors, e.g., by ensuring that different LEDs flash or emit light in different colors according to the speeds in different areas.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a rail arrangement with a plurality of rail units 50 according to an embodiment, wherein the adjacent rail units 50 are connected to one another end to end, preferably connected in a latchable manner by plugging.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the rail units according to an embodiment, and Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled rail units according to an embodiment. As in Fig. 6-7, each rail unit (as shown in Fig. 5) comprises an outer rail 52, an inner rail 56 and a pressing arrangement 54.

[0036] The outer rail 52 includes a receiving channel 522 located at a first end and a protrusion portion 526 located at a second end opposite the first end. The protrusion portion 526 of the outer rail 52 can be inserted into the receiving channel 522 of the adjacent outer rails 52. Fig. 8 shows the receiving channel more clearly, with the receiving channel 522 including side channels 5222, 5226 that at least partially define a rail (i.e., a rail on which the rollers of the carriage move) and an intermediate channel 5224 disposed between the side channels 5222, 5226. The boss portion 526 of the outer rail 52 also includes three boss portions corresponding to the channels 5222, 5226, 5224. The connected outer rails and the adjacent outer rails are locked by the presser assembly 54, which will be described in detail later.

[0037] The inner rail 56 has a positioning hole 562, and the positioning column 528 of the outer rail 52 can be inserted into the positioning hole 562 to achieve a fixation between the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 52 (best in Fig. 7). The inner rail 56 further includes a male accessory 564 disposed at a first end and a female accessory 566 disposed at a second end opposite the first end, such that the male accessory 564 of the inner rail 56 can be coupled to a female accessory 566 of an adjacent inner rail. For example, the male accessory 564 and the female accessory 566 have complementary profiles.

[0038] The inner rail 56 further has a locking groove 567 at the first end, and the snap portion 527 of the outer rail 52 can be inserted into the locking groove 567 so that the connection between the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 52 is stable along a substantially vertical direction (ie, a direction substantially perpendicular to the positioning column 528).

[0039] It can be seen that the connection points between adjacent rail units are located at the ends of the rail units, and that the connection points between the inner rail and the outer rail of the rail units are located between the ends of the rail units.

[0040] The pressing assembly 53 comprises a pressing body 541, wherein the pressing body 541 can be embedded in a hole in the outer surface of the outer rail 52 and, after assembly, extends beyond the outer surface of the outer rail 52 so that a user can easily press the pressing body 541 of the pressing assembly 54 in the pressing direction A. The pressing assembly 54 further comprises a positioning body 543 defining a positioning channel, wherein the positioning column 528 of the outer rail 52 extends through the positioning channel and is inserted into the positioning hole 562 of the inner rail. The pressing assembly 54 is clamped and secured by the outer rail 52 and the inner rail 56 during use, and in particular, the positioning body 543 of the pressing assembly 54 remains substantially stationary relative to the outer rail 52 and / or the inner rail 56 during use.The pressing assembly 54 further includes an elastic member 544. When a central protrusion portion of the protrusion portion 526 of the outer rail 52 of the adjacent rail units is inserted into the intermediate channel 5224 of the receiving channel of the rail unit 50, the elastic member 544 is stress-deformed to deform away from the pressing body 541 until the snap hook 5262 of the central protrusion portion exceeds the snap hook 5442 of the elastic member 544. Thereafter, the elastic member 544 is reset to limit the snap hook 5262 of the central protrusion portion. In this way, two adjacent rail units are securely engaged.When the user presses the pressing body 541 of the pressing arrangement 54 downward in the pressing direction A, the elastic element 544 is deformed under load so that it deforms away from the pressing body 541, whereupon the user can pull out one of the two adjacent rail units.

[0041] In some embodiments, the inner rail 56 includes a limit post 568 configured to limit the movement of the user-actuated presser body 541, for example, to prevent the one-piece presser assembly 54 from breaking.

[0042] In some embodiments, the rail unit further comprises a support element 58. The support element 58 may be in the shape of a can, the upper end of which can snap into the inner rail 56. The underside of the support element 58 may be provided with a plurality of spherical or hemispherical elements 582. The support element 58 may be used to make direct contact with the lower back of a user, so that the above-described configuration of the support element 58 may be considered a massage section. The support element 58 is preferably arranged near the end of the rail unit (particularly the inner rail), which advantageously prevents the pinching of the two support elements of adjacent rail units from injuring the skin in use. In some embodiments, the position and size of the support element 58 may be adaptively designed as needed.

[0043] Fig. Figure 8 shows in detail a rail structure for a roller for use in a carriage. The outer rail has an outer surface 5201 for sliding contact with the roller, and the inner rail has an outer surface 5202 for sliding contact with the roller. The distance between the outer surface 5201 and the outer surface 5202 is sized to allow the roller to slide smoothly therebetween. The outer rail and the inner rail also have limiting features 5203 and 5204, respectively, that prevent the rollers from leaving the rail.

[0044] In some embodiments, the counterweight element may have a closed housing, e.g., a flexible plastic housing, wherein the housing has openings for filling with water, sand, or the like, as well as a cover for the counterweight element that closes the openings and seals the housing. The housing of the counterweight element has associated features that enable the connection of the tether.

[0045] Fig.9 shows two outer rails in the assembly process, with the other parts of the rail units hidden. The projection portion of the outer rail may comprise lateral projection portions 9262, 9266 and a central projection portion 9264 disposed therebetween. As already described above, the central projection portion 9264 is used for snap-fit connections between two adjacent outer rails or rail units. The lateral projection portions 9262, 9266 are respectively inserted into the side channels 5222, 5226 of the receiving channel 522. After assembly, the distance between the end surface 9263 of the lateral projection portion 9262 of the outer rail and the end surface 9223, which defines the side channel, of the adjacent outer rail is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and even more particularly in the range of 1.5 mm to 3 mm, for example 2 mm.Similarly, the distance between the end face 9267 of the lateral projection portion 9266 of the outer rail and the end face 9227, which defines the side channel, of the adjacent outer rail is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and even more particularly in the range of 1.5 mm to 3 mm, for example 2 mm. This configuration allows the rollers of the carriage, when sliding on the annular track defined jointly by the inner rail and the outer rail, to avoid a long path with gaps (which would lead to a blockage of the carriage's movement and at the same time generate greater noise). This configuration significantly reduces noise generation and, in combination with the rollers made of the aforementioned materials, can even be silent.The above-described embodiments express only some embodiments of the present invention, which are described in a more specific and detailed manner, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements to the present application without departing from the concepts of the present application, and these modifications also fall within the scope of the claims of the present application. The scope of the patent for the invention is therefore determined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Hula hoop, characterized by that the hula hoop includes: a rail assembly (10) comprising a plurality of rail units (50) connected end to end, the rail unit (50) comprising: an outer rail (52) having a receiving channel (522) located at a first end, and a projection portion (526) located at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the projection portion (526) of the outer rail (52) comprises lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) and a central projection portion (9264) arranged between the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266), and wherein the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) are configured to be inserted into a side channel (5222, 5226) of the receiving channel (522), wherein the central projection portion (9264) is used for snap connections between two adjacent outer rails (52), so that after assembly, a distance between an end face (9263, 9267) of the lateral projection portions (9262, 9266) of the outer rail (52) and an end face (9223, 9227) of the adjacent outer rail (52) defining the side channel (5222, 5226) is in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and an inner rail (56) which, together with the outer rail (52), defines an annular track; and a carriage (20), wherein on the carriage (20) there is provided a roller configured to slide on the annular track, wherein a light-emitting device is provided on the carriage. [2] The hula hoop of claim 1, wherein the carriage (20) comprises a first half and a second half defined by a parting plane (26), each of the first half and the second half comprising a base portion (21) and a projecting portion (22), the base portion having one or more roller rods (212), the roller being mounted on the roller rods and rotatable. [3] The hula hoop according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion (22) has a first opening, wherein the first openings of the two protruding portions (22) together define a chamber body in which the light-emitting device is received, and wherein the light-emitting device is provided in the chamber body. [4] The hula hoop of claim 3, wherein a controller and a sensor for detecting the movement of the carriage are provided in the carriage (20), the controller being configured to control the light-emitting device according to the detection of the sensor. [5] The hula hoop of claim 1, wherein the rail unit (50) further comprises a clamping assembly (54) configured to secure the rail unit and the adjacent rail unit. [6] Hula hoop according to claim 5, wherein the pressing arrangement (54) is switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position an elastic element (544) of the pressing arrangement (54) is deformed under load in order to remove it from the pressing body (541) of the pressing arrangement (54), and wherein in the second position an elastic element (544) of the pressing arrangement (54) is unloaded and remains substantially stationary relative to the outer rail (52) and / or the inner rail (56). [7] The hula hoop of claim 6, wherein the inner rail (56) includes a limiting column (568) configured to limit the movement of the user-operated pressing body (541). [8] The hula hoop of claim 1, wherein the hula hoop further comprises a counterweight member, wherein the counterweight member is connected to the carriage by a rope, and wherein the counterweight member comprises a housing, wherein the housing is filled with at least one of water, sand, and metallic particles. [9] Hula hoop according to claim 1, wherein the material of the roller is selected from at least one of nylon, polyoxymethylene, ABS and polyurethane. [10] Hula hoop according to claim 1, wherein the rail unit (50) comprises: an outer rail (52); an inner rail (56) connected to the outer rail (52) and together defining the annular track; and a support element (58) mounted on the inner rail (56). [11] The hula hoop of claim 10, wherein the support member (58) is positioned to be proximate one end of the inner rail (56).

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