Abstract
A jump rope device includes a handle and a cable detachably connected to one another via a first and second connecting members. The handle includes a bearing assembly that is connected to the first connecting member via a connecting ring. A bearing post of the bearing assembly includes an enlarged portion that limits the range of motion of the bearing ring so as to prevent the first connecting member from making any contact with any portion of the handle other than the connecting ring.
Claims
1. A jump rope device, comprising: a handle comprising a handle grip, a bearing assembly, and a first connecting member; and a cable comprising a second connecting member; wherein the first and second connecting members are configured to removably connect the cable to the handle; wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing post and wherein the bearing assembly is configured to allow the bearing post to rotate freely relative to the handle grip about a longitudinal axis defined by the handle grip; wherein the bearing post is connected to the first connecting member via a connecting ring; wherein the bearing post comprises an enlarged portion adjacent to an aperture in the bearing post through which the connecting ring passes, the enlarged portion being configured to limit the range of motion of the connecting ring so as to define a minimum angle between a longitudinal axis of the handle and a plane defined by the connecting ring, said minimum angle being sufficiently large to prevent the first connecting member from making contact with any portion of the handle other than the connecting ring.
2. The jump rope device according to claim 1, wherein said minimum angle is at least about 60 degrees.
3. The jump rope device according to claim 1, wherein said minimum angle is at least about 90 degrees.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a jump rope device being utilized by a user.
(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of a jump rope device comprising two cables which may be removably connected to the handles.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of a handle connected to a cable.
(4) FIG. 4A is a side view of a male connecting member.
(5) FIG. 4B is an end view of the male connecting member of
(6) FIG. 4A.
(7) FIG. 5A is a first side view of a female connecting member.
(8) FIG. 5B is a second side view of the female connecting member of FIG. 5A, rotated 90 degrees with respect to the view of FIG. 5A.
(9) FIG. 5C is an end view of the female connecting member of FIG. 5A.
(10) FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the female connecting member of FIG. 5A.
(11) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the female connecting member of FIG. 5A, showing the individual components from which it can be assembled.
(12) FIG. 7A is a first side view of the base of the female connecting member shown in FIG. 6.
(13) FIG. 7B is a second side view of the female connecting member base of FIG. 7A, rotated 90 degrees with respect to the view of FIG. 7A.
(14) FIG. 7C is an end view of the female connecting member base of FIG. 7A.
(15) FIGS. 8A-8C show various steps involved in connecting the male connecting member of FIG. 4A to the female connecting member of FIG. 5A.
(16) FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a bearing assembly in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
(17) FIG. 10 is a side view of the assembled bearing assembly of FIG. 9.
(18) FIG. 11 is another side view of the assembled bearing assembly of FIG. 9, illustrating how the bearing assembly allows the female connection member to make contact with the bearing cap.
(19) FIG. 12a is a side view of an improved bearing assembly in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
(20) FIG. 12b is a side view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 12a, in which the bearing post of the bearing assembly has been rotated 90 degrees with respect to its orientation in FIG. 12a.
(21) FIG. 12c is a perspective view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 12a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(22) The present disclosure is directed to jump rope devices which allow for the quick and easy interchanging of a cable of varying weight and length from handles configured to provide smooth rotation of such cables at both low and high speeds. Devices in accordance with the disclosure may comprise a ball bearing assembly configured to facilitate 360-degree rotation of the cable.
(23) Jump rope devices in accordance with the present disclosure facilitate a variety of traditional as well as modern jump rope-based exercises. Such exercises include: basic bounce step, the alternate foot step, criss cross, side rope swings, single- and double-leg high knee exercise, double unders, run skipping, and the “Ali shuffle.”
(24) Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of a jump rope 120 being utilized by a user 100.
(25) Hereinafter, an “inner” portion of an element will generally refer to a portion of an element which is closer to the sagittal plane 101 of user 100 when user 100 is utilizing jump rope 120 to perform a basic bounce step, as shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, an “outer” portion of an element will generally refer to a portion of an element which is farther away from sagittal plane 101 of user 100 when user 100 is utilizing jump rope 120 to perform a basic bounce step.
(26) Jump rope 120 comprises two handles 102 (i.e., a right handle 102a and a left handle 102b) and a cable 110. Cables of varying sizes and weights may be used with jump rope devices 120. Varying-sized cables 110 will provide different amounts of centrifugal resistance at equal rotational speeds. Utilization of varied cables 110 strengthens a user's body through adaption to varied stimuli of increased weight and/or resistance. In an aspect, cable 110 may be at least partially constructed from one or more of rope, leather, nylon, pro-vinyl, cloth, braided steel, vinyl coated steel cable, and any other suitable material as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein.
(27) Handles 102 are configured to facilitate user operation of jump rope 120. Handles 102 may comprise handle grips 104 (shown, for clarity, only as handle grip 104a in FIG. 1) and handle rotators 106 (shown, for clarity, only as handle rotator 106a in FIG. 1). Handles 102 may be comprised of wood, steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, polyvinyl chloride, plastic, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other materials as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein.
(28) Handle grip 104 is configured to allow user 100 to hold jump rope 120 and manipulate cable 110. Handle grip 104 comprises an inner portion and an outer portion. The outer portion of the handle grip may be rigidly connected to handle rotator 106.
(29) Handle rotator 106 is configured to removably connect cable 110 to handle 102. Handle rotator 106 is further configured to facilitate 360-degree rotation of cable 110 relative to handle 102. Handle rotator 106 may be located on an outer portion of handle 102.
(30) Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, schematic views of a jump rope 120 comprising two cables 110 which may be removably connected to handles 102.
(31) Referring now to FIG. 3, handle rotator 106 comprises a bearing assembly 121 and a female connecting member 124. Female connecting member 124 may be connected to bearing assembly 121 via a soldered ring 122 or other suitable connection means. Female connecting member 124 is configured to removably connect handle 102 to cable 110. Cable end portion 126 may comprise a male connecting member 128 configured to insertably and removably connect to female connecting member 124, such that cable 110 may smoothly rotate during operation of jump rope 110. Female connecting member 124 and male connecting member 128 together form a connection assembly 130. Connection assembly 130 is adapted to quickly and easily interchange cables 110 of varying weights and lengths from handles 102.
(32) Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, male connecting member 128 includes a base 132. Base 132 can be generally cylindrical in shape. Base 132 can be fixedly attached to cable end portion 126 via mechanical crimping of base 132 onto cable 110 or via other suitable attachment means. Male connecting member 128 further includes a neck portion 134. Neck portion 134 can be generally cylindrical in shape and can have a reduced diameter as compared with base 132. Neck portion 134 is disposed between and connects base 132 and a locking head portion 136 of male connecting member 128. Locking head portion 136 can have an elongated, generally-rectangular box shape. First and second end portions of locking head portion 136 define first and second locking projections 138 that extend radially outwardly beyond the diameter of neck portion 138. Locking projections 138 may include chamfered corners defining leading angled surfaces 140.
(33) Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, female connecting member 124 includes a base 142 and two spring-biased locking arms 144. FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the components that can be combined to form female connecting member 124, including base 142, locking arms 144, spring 143, and pivot pins 145. Base 142 can have a generally cylindrical shape. FIGS. 7A-7C show various views of base 142. Inner end of base 142 can include an opening 146 through which soldered ring 122 can be received. Opening 146 can be made by an eyelet, a bore, an eyehook, or other equivalent. Outer end of base 142 defines an opening 148 into an internal cavity 150. Opening 148 includes a central circular portion dimensioned and arranged so as to receive neck portion 134 when male connecting member 128 is received within female connecting member 124. Opening 148 further includes notched portions 152 dimensioned and arranged so as to receive first and second locking projections 138 when male connecting member 128 is received within female connecting member 124.
(34) Spring-biased locking arms 144 are disposed within respective channels 156 (see FIG. 7B) running longitudinally along opposite sides of the base 142. Locking arms 144 are pivotally connected to base 142 via pivot pins 145. Each locking arm 145 includes a raised gripping portion 158. Gripping portion 158 may have a textured surface to facilitate gripping by a user. Locking arms 144 are biased by internal spring 143 into a first position as shown in FIG. 8A. In the first position, an end portion 160 of each locking arm 144 extends at least partially into the cavity 150. Locking arms 144 are aligned with respective notches 152 such that each locking arm 144 is positioned in a portion of the cavity 150 located above a respective notch 152 when in the first position. Each end portion 160 can have an angled leading surface 162 that is substantially complementary to a corresponding angled surface 140 of male locking member 128. Apertures 164 that are contiguous with the channels 156 and adjacent to end portions 160 extend through the exterior surface of base 142 and into the internal cavity 150. Apertures 164 each define a lower ledge surface 166.
(35) FIGS. 8A-8C depict steps by which cable 110 can be securely connected to handle 102. Portions of the female connecting member 124 are shown as transparent to facilitate viewing of various internal components. To connect the cable 110 to the handle 102, a user can grasp the male connecting member 128 in one hand and the female connecting member 124 in the other. The user aligns locking projections 138 of the male connecting member 128 with the notches 152 and inserts the male connecting member 128 into the opening 148. This motion brings locking projections 138 into contact with end portions 162, and more specifically leading angled surfaces 140 into contact with leading angled surfaces 162, forcing end portions 160 to move radially outward as locking arms 144 pivot about pivot pins 145 and compressing spring 143. This brings locking arms 144 into a second position as shown in FIG. 8B and allows male connecting member 128 to be fully inserted into the female connecting member 124, bringing the respective end surfaces 170, 172 of base 128 and base 124 into face-contacting relationship. The user then rotates male locking member 128 about its longitudinal axis relative to female connecting member 124, causing locking projections 138 to move into apertures 164 and out of contact with end portions 160. This movement allows end portions 160 to be biased back into the first position by spring 143, thereby locking the male connecting member 128 into a secure connection with female connecting member 124 as shown in FIG. 8C. Ledge surfaces 166 catch locking projections 138 and prevent male locking member 128 from simply being withdrawn from female connecting member 124.
(36) To remove the cable 110 from handle 102, a user uses two fingers to pinch down on the gripping portions 158 of the two locking arms 144. This motion compresses spring 143 and moves locking arms 144 into the second position. While keeping the gripping portions 158 depressed, the user rotates the male connecting member 128 relative to female connecting member 124 until the locking projections 138 are aligned with notches 152 and then withdraws the male connecting member 128 from the opening 148 to fully remove cable 110 from handle 102.
(37) The connection assembly 130 described herein may provide significant advantages over prior art approaches. Connection assembly 130 can be shorter and smaller so that it integrates directly with the rope, having less bulky, moving parts that can twist and tangle, and thereby enabling smoother unencumbered rotation. Connection assembly 130 can also be much easier for the average user to attach and detach cables, reducing frustration and unnecessary rest time and making it easier than ever to adjust rope resistance very quickly.
(38) With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, one example of a bearing assembly 121 that can be used in accordance with jump rope device 120 is shown. Bearing assembly 121 includes a ball bearing housing 180 that may contain, e.g., ceramic bearings. Ball bearing housing 180 is mounted on a bearing post 182 that includes an opening or eyelet 184 that receives soldered ring 122. A lower portion of bearing post 182 includes a bearing post screw 178. Bearing post screw 178 is secured to bearing post 182 to hold the bearing post flushly and securely on the ball bearing housing 180 and prevent the bearing post from becoming separated from the handle 102. Bearing inset compartment 176 is integral to the outer end of handle grip 104. Bearing cap 194 is fitted over the bearing assembly. Rivet 190 and rivet pin 194 are received through respective holes 186 in the bearing cap 194 and respective holes (not shown) in the bearing inset compartment 176 to secure the bearing assembly 121 in place.
(39) As can be seen in FIG. 11, bearing assembly 121 enables nearly-complete rotational freedom of movement of ring 122 such that the minimum possible angle θ between a longitudinal axis defined by bearing post 182 (and handle grip 104) and a plane defined by bearing ring 122 is only approximately 30 degrees. Thus, bearing assembly 121 provides ring 122 with approximately 300 degrees of rotational freedom about an axis that passes through eyelet 184 and is orthogonal to the handle's longitudinal axis. Dis-advantageously, this configuration enables frequent and undesired contact between female connecting member 124 and end cap 194, resulting in undesirable “clicking” noises, reduced rotational smoothness, and the increased likelihood of a recoiling rope that can painfully strike a user's hand when a jump is missed and the rope goes taut.
(40) FIGS. 12a-12c depict an improved bearing assembly 221 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Bearing assembly 221 is similar in certain respects to bearing assembly 121 and like or similar reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements in the Figures. The primary difference between bearing assembly 221 and bearing assembly 121 relates to their respective bearing posts 282, 182. Bearing post 282 has an enlarged platform-style base portion 298, that is immediately adjacent to, and defines in part, eyelet 284, and that prevents excess and unneeded range of motion for connecting ring 222. Bearing post 282 also includes a narrow portion 299 about which ring 222 can move freely. As a result of this configuration, the minimum possible angle α between a longitudinal axis defined by bearing post 282 (and handle grip 204) and a plane defined by bearing ring 222 may be at least about 60 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, and as depicted in FIGS. 12a-12c, the minimum possible angle α may be at least about 90 degrees. In such an embodiment, bearing ring 222 is provided with no more than about 180 degrees of rotational freedom about an axis that passes through eyelet 284 and is orthogonal to the handle's longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, bearing assembly 221 is configured such that female connecting member 224 cannot make any physical contact with end cap 294 or any other portion of the handle (other than bearing ring 222 to which it is directly attached).
(41) While various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described aspects, but should not be limited by any of the above described aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
(42) In addition, it should be understood that the figures, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionality and advantages of the present disclosure, are presented as examples only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.
(43) Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of this technical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
