Lighted hoop

• US 4,915,666 A
• Filed: 09/02/1988
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John R.K. Maleyko
• Original Assignee: John R.K. Maleyko
• Inventors: Maleyko, John R. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US07/239,776
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 446/242, 446/236, 446/247, 446/439, 446/485, 446/431, 446/450, 446/490, 272/1 R, 362/800, 362/109, 362/806
• US Class Current: 446/242
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 19/00 Hoop exercising apparatus A63B21/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/52 Frame members linked by elastic means when disassembled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights

Abstract

A lighted hoop and a kit for making a lighted hoop are disclosed for use as an amusement or exercise device. The lighted hoop having a tubular member with the ends joined to form a hoop by a coupling member having opposite ends in telescopic relation with the tube. A lighting circuit extends into the tube and includes a plurality of LEDs. The coupling member includes a battery compartment with battery contacts and a switch is mounted on the coupling member and connects the lighting circuit with the battery contacts.

Claims

1. A kit for making an entertainment device comprising:

a plurality of tubular members each having a longitudinal axis of arcuate configuration and constructed of translucent plastic material,

a coupling member having a longitudinal axis of arcuate configuration and including a battery compartment with battery contacts at each end thereof,

a switch mounted on said coupling member and being accessible for manual operation externally of said coupling member,

a conductor connected between one of said battery contacts and one terminal of said switch,

an electrical circuit made of flexible wire and having a plurality of LEDs connected therewith and extending through all of said tubular members in succession and having its opposite ends connected to said coupling member whereby the tubular members are strung on said circuit and held captive thereby, said circuit wire being electrically connected with the other terminal of said switch and the other of said battery contacts and having enough slack so that said members can be laid side-by-side,

and each of said members being provided with ends adapted to telescopically mate with the adjacent end of the adjacent member, whereby the members can be assembled to form a hoop.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit is a series circuit connection of said LEDs by said wire and said wire is electrically connected between said other battery contact and the other terminal of said switch.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit is a parallel circuit connection of said LEDs by said wire and said wire is electrically connected between said other battery contact and the other terminal of said switch.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said LEDs are spaced along said circuit so that there is at least one LED in each of said tubular members,

said LEDs being spaced apart far enough and located along said circuit so that each LED will be disposed inside one of said tubular members when the tubular members are laid side-by-side.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a set of at least three casters mounted in spaced relation around the circumference of said hoop to support said hoop for translational and rotating motion.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 including an attachment member on said hoop and a lanyard attached to said attachment member whereby the hoop may be manipulated by manual control of said lanyard.

7. An amusement device comprising:

a unitary tubular member in a hoop configuration with the ends of the tubular member disposed opposite each other, the tubular member being constructed of translucent plastic material,

a lighting circuit including a plurality of light sources disposed inside the tubular member,

a coupling member having opposite ends in telescopic relation, respectively, with the ends of said tubular member for joining said tubular member in said hoop configuration, said coupling member comprising a cylindrical body with an external annular boss intermediate the ends thereof, the ends of said body extending, respectively, inside the ends of said tubular member, said coupling member including a battery compartment with battery contacts,

said battery compartment comprising a chamber adjacent one end of said cylindrical body, said cylindrical body being open on one side to permit the insertion of a battery when said one end is removed from said tubular member,

and a switch mounted on said annular boss and connected electrically in series with said lighting circuit and said battery contacts, said switching being accessible for manual operation externally of said coupling member.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said light sources is an LED, all of said LEDs being connected in parallel with each other in said lighting circuit, and including a retainer between adjacent LEDs for restraining motion of the LEDs within the tubular member.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 including a set of at least three casters mounted in spaced relation around the circumference of said hoop to support said hoop for translational and rotating motion.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7 including an attachment member on said hoop and a lanyard attached to said attachment member whereby the hoop may be manipulated by manual control of said lanyard.