Hula hoop and method for manufacturing hula hoop

Abstract

To provide a hula hoop having such strength and rigidity that can endure a predetermined competition or performance, which relaxes an impact imparted to a part of a body.SOLUTION: This hula hoop F includes a cylindrical body part 1 forming an annular contour, and a projection part 2 formed so as to project inward from an inner surface of the body part 1. A ratio between a thickness W3 of the body part 1 and a projection amount W4 of the projection part 2 is 1:2 to 8:1. At least one set of the projection part 2 is formed at positions facing each other and is formed continuously in an annular direction of the body part 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hula hoop as a toy or a sport or performance implement, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Hula hoops have long been popular as toys for people of all ages and genders, and are also popular as equipment in competitions and performances such as rhythmic gymnastics and dance. Hula hoops are used by rotating them around a part of the body, such as the neck, waist, arms, or legs, by throwing them into the air, or by dropping them to the ground and bouncing them. Since the basic movement of a hula hoop is to rotate them, many efforts have been made to improve the efficiency of their rotation and reduce the strain on certain parts of the body.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hula hoop that has vertical ribs on the side that comes into contact with the body during rotation to increase frictional resistance in the direction of rotation to accelerate the rotation, and horizontal ribs on the side that comes into contact with the body during rotation to increase frictional resistance in the direction of fall to prevent the hoop from falling. This configuration was expected to reduce slippage between the body and the hoop in the direction of rotation, as well as in the direction of fall (see "Abstract"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-24987 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 makes no mention of durability, stability, or operability. In other words, the hula hoop described in Patent Document 1 is intended for beginners who are trying to master the basic movements described above, and is not intended for experienced players who are trying to master movements that are more difficult than the basic movements, or for athletes or performers who throw the hula hoop into the air or drop it on the ground to bounce or roll it. In other words, durability, stability, and operability are important factors for users at or above beginner level when choosing a hula hoop.

[0006] Some conventional hula hoops are formed by connecting the two longitudinal ends of a thin, cylindrical rod-like object with a joint inserted into the tube to form a ring-like annular body. In other words, the end surfaces of these long ends are too small to be glued together, so the joint must be used. The joint specifications are, for example, 40 to 120 mm in length and 9 to 26 g in weight. For this reason, when a hula hoop falls from the sky and hits the ground, the impact can cause the annular body to separate from the joint, resulting in damage. For this reason, hula hoops, especially those intended for athletes and performers, should be resistant to breakage even when subjected to certain impacts during use.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional hula hoops tend to sway vertically and / or horizontally when thrown into the air or dropped or rolled to the ground, forcing athletes and performers to take into consideration the degree of sway of the hula hoop. In other words, for athletes and performers, the specifications of the hula hoop should at least not reduce the precision of their performance, and preferably should contribute to improving said precision.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a hula hoop and a method for manufacturing a hula hoop that has durability suitable for the impacts applied during use such as in competitions and performances, stability suitable for the precision required for such use, and operability that contributes to improving the precision of competitions and performances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] That is, the frisbee hoop in the present invention includes a cylindrical main body portion that forms an annular outer shape, and a protrusion portion formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the main body portion. The protrusions appear on both end surfaces of the annular body in the annular direction to be bonded, The ratio of the thickness of the main body portion to the protruding amount of the protrusion portion is characterized by being 1:2 to 8:1.

[0010] It is desirable that at least one set of the protrusion portions is formed at positions facing each other.

[0011] It is desirable that the protrusion portions are formed continuously in the annular direction of the main body portion.

[0012] In addition, the manufacturing method of the frisbee hoop in the present invention includes a step of pouring a thermoplastic resin into a linear mold to obtain a rod-shaped body, a step of fitting the rod-shaped body into an annular mold to obtain an annular body, and a step of adhering the end faces of the annular body to each other. The ratio of the thickness of the main body to the protrusion amount of the protrusion is 1:2 to 8:1. It is characterized by including a step of obtaining a rod-shaped body, a step of fitting the rod-shaped body into an annular mold to obtain an annular body, and a step of adhering the end faces of the annular body to each other.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to expect an effect of obtaining durability suitable for impacts applied by use such as competitions and performances, stability suitable for the accuracy required for the above use, and operability contributing to the improvement of the accuracy of competitions and performances.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a plan view (A) and a side view (B) of the frisbee hoop in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] It is an end view of the frisbee hoop in the direction orthogonal to the annular direction {the X-X portion in FIG. 1(A)}. [Figure 2B] It is a partially enlarged view of the end view of the frisbee hoop in the annular direction {the Y-Y portion in FIG. 1(B)}. [Figure 3] It is a view for explaining the manufacturing process of the frisbee hoop.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, a hula hoop according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "the present hula hoop F") and a method for manufacturing the hula hoop (hereinafter also referred to as "the present manufacturing method") will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In these figures, when there are multiple identical parts, only one part is numbered. For the sake of convenience, certain parts and their leading lines are shown with imaginary lines (two-dot chain lines), and cross-sectional parts are shown with hatching.

[0016] 1 and 2A, this hula hoop F has a cylindrical main body 1 that forms a ring-shaped outer shape in a plan view, and protrusions 2 formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the main body 1. Its uses are not limited and it may be used as a toy, but it is more suitable as a tool for competitions or performances such as rhythmic gymnastics and dance. This hula hoop F is formed by molding a rod-shaped body having portions corresponding to the main body 1 and protrusions 2 into a ring-shaped body, and then bonding the end faces of the ring-shaped body corresponding to both longitudinal ends of the rod-shaped body together.

[0017] The material of the hula hoop F is not particularly limited, but may be metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or an alloy thereof, but is preferably light in weight and low in density, such as a lightweight and flexible thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride, or may be a mixed material containing these thermoplastic resins, pulp, talc, or bioplastics.

[0018] The weight of the hula hoop F is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100 g or more and less than 1500 g as a toy or as equipment for competitions or performances, 260 g or more and less than 300 g as equipment for juniors aged 15 or less, and 300 g or more and less than 350 g as equipment for seniors aged 16 or more.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1(B), the diameter W1 of the hula hoop F is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 500 mm or more and less than 1500 mm as a toy or as equipment for competitions or performances, 700 mm or more and less than 900 mm as equipment for rhythmic gymnastics, including for juniors aged 15 or under, and 800 mm or more and less than 900 mm as equipment for seniors aged 16 or over.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2A, the diameter W2 of the main body 1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 mm or more and less than 30 mm as a toy or as equipment for competitions or performances, and 15 mm or more and less than 20 mm as equipment suitable for rhythmic gymnastics, including for juniors aged 15 or less.

[0021] 2A and 2B, the thickness W3 of the main body 1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1.5 mm or more and less than 4 mm when used as a toy or as equipment for competitions or performances, and 1.5 mm or more and less than 3 mm when used as equipment for rhythmic gymnastics, including for juniors aged 15 or under. The thickness W3 of the main body 1 varies depending on the material of the hula hoop F described above, and may be thicker when used with a relatively low-density material, for example.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2A, the bisector of the protrusion 2 is located on the center line L of the main body 1. In other words, the protrusion 2 is more likely to improve stability by having a shape and orientation that is bisected by this center line L, but it may also have a shape that is not bisected by this center line L, or may be oriented so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the center line L.

[0023] The protrusion amount W4 of the protrusion 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and less than 3 mm as a toy or as equipment for competitions or performances, and 1 mm or more and less than 2 mm is suitable as equipment for rhythmic gymnastics, including for juniors under 15 years of age. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the protrusion amount W4 is too small to make it difficult to bond the end faces of the above-mentioned ring-shaped body together, and if it is 3 mm or more, the protrusion amount W4 is too large, which may result in excessive weight, strength, and / or rigidity of the hula hoop F.

[0024] The width W5 of the protrusion 2 is approximately equal to the protrusion amount 4, but may be thinner or thicker than the protrusion amount 4; if it is too thin, it may be difficult to bond the end faces of the above-mentioned annular body together, and if it is too thick, the weight, strength and / or rigidity of the hula hoop F may increase too much.

[0025] The ratio of the thickness W3 of the main body 1 to the protrusion amount W4 of the protrusion 2 is not particularly limited, but is 1:2 to 8:1, with a ratio of 3:4 to 3:1 being suitable for rhythmic gymnastics equipment, including for juniors under 15 years of age. With this configuration, the protrusion 2 increases the adhesive area and improves the adhesive strength between the end faces of the ring-shaped body, making the hula hoop F less likely to break, and increasing the strength and rigidity of the main body 1, which is expected to make the hula hoop F less likely to shake (distort) even when thrown, dropped, or spun.

[0026] The protrusion amount W4 of the protrusion 2 may be relatively more or less than the thickness W3 of the main body 1, but if the protrusion 2 protrudes at a ratio of more than 1:2 relative to the desired weight, the main body 1 will be too thin and the hula hoop F may be prone to breakage, and if the protrusion 2 protrudes at a ratio of less than 8:1, the strength and rigidity of the main body 1 will be too low and the hula hoop F may be prone to shaking.

[0027] 2A, the innermost part of the end face shape of the protrusion 2 is an arc, but is not limited to this and may be a straight line or an obtuse angle. The radius of the arc at the tip of the end face shape of the protrusion 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "R radius") is 0.5 mm or more and less than 1 mm. If it is less than 0.5 mm, the end face shape of the protrusion 2 will be too thin, and if it is 1 mm or more, it may be difficult to form it into an arc.

[0028] The protrusions 2 are formed radially in the circumferential direction of the cylinder of the main body 1, and are formed in four sets at opposing positions, but the number of sets may be one, two to three, or five or more sets. Forming at least one set at opposing positions is expected to have the effect of making it easier to achieve the desired strength and rigidity of the main body 1. In other words, the number or number and positions of the protrusions 2 in the circumferential direction of the cylinder of the main body 1 affect the strength and rigidity of the main body 1, and the more evenly the protrusions 2 are formed in the circumferential direction of the cylinder of the main body 1, the easier it is to achieve the desired strength and rigidity of the main body 1. One or more protrusions 2 may be formed in offset positions that do not face each other, as long as an effect equivalent to the above effect can be expected.

[0029] 2B, the protrusions 2 are formed continuously in the annular direction of the main body 1, which makes it easier to achieve the desired strength and rigidity of the main body 1, but they may also be formed discontinuously, in other words, two or more protrusions may be formed at predetermined intervals. In other words, the number of protrusions 2 in the annular direction of the main body 1 affects the strength and rigidity of the main body 1, and the more protrusions 2 are formed continuously in the annular direction of the main body 1 at one or two or more narrow and evenly spaced intervals, the easier it is to achieve the desired strength and rigidity of the main body 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, this manufacturing method first involves pouring a thermoplastic resin into a linear mold C1 to obtain a rod-shaped body S1 having a cylindrical main body and protrusions formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the main body (hereinafter also referred to as the "rod-shaped body molding process"). The linear mold C1 has an outer cylindrical body molded to be circular in cross section and an inner cylindrical body molded to be uneven. The thermoplastic resin is poured between the outer and inner cylindrical bodies. After a predetermined time has passed, the outer and inner cylindrical bodies are removed to form the rod-shaped body S1. Next, the rod-shaped body S is fitted into an annular mold C2 to obtain an annular body S2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "annular body molding process"). The end faces of the annular body S2 corresponding to the longitudinal end faces of the rod-shaped body S1 are then bonded together with a predetermined adhesive, and thin tape is wrapped around the outside of the bonded area to hide the boundary between the end faces (hereinafter also referred to as the "adhesion process"). Through these steps, the production of the hula hoop F is completed.

[0031] During the bonding process, the end faces of the annular body S2 have an area equal to the combined area of ​​the main body and the protrusions, making the bonding area between the end faces larger than the area of ​​the main body alone. This not only facilitates bonding, but also improves the bonding strength between the end faces. In other words, the protrusions increase the bonding area between the end faces, achieving the desired bonding strength. This eliminates the need for additional reinforcement, such as connecting the end faces via a joint material and wrapping tape around the boundary between the end faces. In other words, the elimination of this reinforcement eliminates the localized weight and bulge around the end faces that are associated with the joint material and tape. This allows the hula hoop to be formed with a uniform weight and thickness around the entire circumference. This avoids distortion of the center of gravity of the entire hula hoop and minimizes deformation during use, thereby improving the durability, stability, and operability of the hula hoop.

[0032] This manufacturing method may involve any step as long as it produces the present hula hoop F. For example, the rod-shaped body molding step may involve a step of obtaining a thermoplastic resin sheet having linear protrusions formed at predetermined intervals, and a step of rolling this thermoplastic resin sheet to obtain a long, tubular rod-shaped body. [Example]

[0033] <Examples and Comparative Examples> The hula hoop F, which corresponds to the example, is made of high-density polyethylene (composition ratio 100%), has an overall diameter W1 of 810 mm, weighs 320 g, has a diameter W2 of main body 1 of 17.5 mm, a thickness W3 of main body 1 of 2.35 mm, a protrusion amount W4 and width W5 of protrusion 2 of 1.5 mm, a ratio of the thickness of main body 1 to the protrusion amount W4 of protrusion 2 of 8:5, a radius R of the tip of protrusion 2 of 0.75 mm, there are eight protrusions 2 (four sets), the protrusions 2 are arranged in opposing positions and at equal intervals, and the end faces of the ring-shaped body are bonded together with adhesive and tape is wrapped around the outer circumference of this bonded part.

[0034] The hula hoop corresponding to the comparative example is made of a specified resin or the like, has an overall diameter W of approximately 810 mm, weighs approximately 320 g, has a main body diameter of approximately 17.5 mm, a main body thickness of a specified dimension, and is approximately 40 mm long, with the ends of the ring-shaped body connected together via a joint material and tape wrapped around the outer periphery of this adhesive part.

[0035] <Evaluation test method> To evaluate durability, the Examples and Comparative Examples are dropped from a height of 5 m to the ground to check for damage. To evaluate stability, the Examples and Comparative Examples are used as rhythmic gymnastics equipment in a specified routine to check the degree of shaking.

[0036] <Test Results> [Table 1]

[0037] From these results, in the example, the protrusions 2 increased the adhesive area, thereby increasing the adhesive strength between the end faces of the ring-shaped body, and therefore the hula hoop F did not break. Furthermore, because the strength and rigidity of the main body 1 were increased, the hula hoop F was less likely to shake (distort) even when thrown, dropped, or spun.

[0038] Furthermore, the density of the material of the Example is lower than that of the Comparative Example, and when the weights of both are the same, the end area of ​​the Example in the XX direction shown in FIG. 2A is larger than that of the Comparative Example. Therefore, the Example is relatively softer than the Comparative Example and has a higher cushioning effect on the body, which reduced the physical pain felt by the subject.

[0039] In other words, the present example of Hula Hoop F has improved durability overall, making it less likely to deform or chip, crack, or break at joints, etc., and its stability has also been improved, making it easier to rise, fall, roll forward, and return to a straight position, and it has been confirmed that these uses, including those mentioned above, contribute to improved operability.

[0040] The hula hoop and manufacturing method shown in this embodiment are not limited to the above-described content, and include the position, shape, and dimensions of all parts, the relationship between parts, the order of steps, and the relationship between steps, as long as the same effect is obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] F Hula Hoop 1 Main body 2 Protrusion S1 Rod-shaped body S2 cyclic body

Claims

1. a cylindrical main body portion that forms the outer shape of the annular body; a protrusion formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the main body, The protrusions appear on both end surfaces of the annular body in the annular direction to be bonded, The ratio of the thickness of the main body to the protrusion length is 1:2 to 8:

1. A hula hoop that features:

2. At least one pair of protrusions are formed at opposing positions.

2. The hula hoop according to claim 1 .

3. The protrusions are formed continuously in the annular direction of the main body.

2. The hula hoop according to claim 1 .

4. a step of pouring a thermoplastic resin into a linear mold to obtain a rod-shaped body having a cylindrical main body and protrusions formed so as to protrude inward from the inner surface of the main body, the ratio of the thickness of the main body to the protrusion amount of the protrusion being 1:2 to 8:1; a step of fitting the rod-shaped body into an annular mold to obtain an annular body; a step of bonding the end faces of the annular body together; A method for manufacturing a hula hoop, comprising:

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