Exercise Hoop

Abstract

An exercise hoop is assembled from arcuate segments attached end to end. Each segment has a base with male and female fittings at opposite ends and a sidewall extending between the ends. The sidewall defines a central space and a centerline. A cover attaches to the base. The base and the cover have reinforcing bulkheads to prevent kinking and use stirrups to engage legs having feet deflected by a deflector body to provide positive mechanical engagement between the base and the cover to secure each to the other. End to end attachment of the segments is secured using a spring biased button detent in the male fitting that engages an opening in the female fitting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise hoop, comprising:
 a plurality of arcuate segments joined to one another end to end to form a closed loop, wherein at least one of said arcuate segments comprises:   a base comprising a male fitting at one end and a female fitting at an opposite end;   a sidewall extending between and connecting said fittings to one another, said sidewall partially surrounding and defining a central space and a lengthwise extending centerline;   a plurality of first bulkheads positioned within said central space, said first bulkheads being positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along said base, said first bulkheads being attached to said sidewall;   a cover removably mounted on said base and enclosing said central space.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall has a convex surface facing away from said central space and a concave surface facing said central space. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises an arcuate shell having a concave surface and a convex surface oppositely disposed. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 3 , wherein said cover comprises a plurality of second bulkheads attached to said concave surface, said second bulkheads being positioned in spaced apart relation to one another lengthwise along said cover. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first bulkheads is oriented transversely to said centerline. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to said centerline. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said second bulkheads has an “X” shaped cross section. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said second bulkheads is oriented transversely to said centerline. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said second bulkheads is oriented perpendicularly to said centerline. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein said male fitting has a polygonal cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 11 , wherein said female fitting has a polygonal interior shape for receiving said male fitting. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , wherein said male fitting has a hexagonal cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 13 , wherein said female fitting has a hexagonal interior shape for receiving said male fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a projection positioned on said male fitting and projecting outwardly away from said central space, said projection being movable toward and away from said central space;   a spring acting between said male fitting and said projection and biasing said projection outwardly away from said central space.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 15 , wherein said male fitting defines a bore surrounding said central space, said exercise hoop further comprising:
 an end cap covering an end of said male fitting, said end cap having a boss projecting transversely thereto and into said central space, said boss being engageable with said projection when said projection moves toward said central space for limiting motion thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stirrup mounted on said base within said central space;   a deflector body mounted on said base adjacent to said stirrup;   a flexible leg mounted on said cover, said leg having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein   upon mounting of said cover onto said base said leg engages said deflector body and is moved toward said stirrup, said foot thereby engaging said stirrup and holding said cover in engagement with said base.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stirrup mounted on said cover;   a deflector body mounted on said cover adjacent to said stirrup;   a flexible leg mounted on said base within said central space, said leg having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein   upon mounting of said cover onto said base said leg engages said deflector body and is moved toward said stirrup, said foot thereby engaging said stirrup and holding said cover in engagement with said base.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced relation on said base within said central space;   a deflector body mounted on said base between said stirrups;   a pair of flexible legs mounted in spaced relation on said cover, each of said legs having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein   upon mounting of said cover onto said base said legs engage said deflector body and are moved away from one another toward said stirrups, said feet thereby respectively engaging said stirrups and holding said cover in engagement with said base.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 each of said stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving said foot, said stirrup plates being oriented transversely to said centerline;   each of said legs comprises a leg plate, said leg plates being oriented transversely to said centerline; and   said deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to said stirrup plates.   
     
     
         21 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of stirrups mounted in spaced apart relation on said cover;   a deflector body mounted on said cover between said stirrups;   a pair of flexible legs mounted on said base within said central space, each of said legs having a foot extending transversely therefrom; wherein   upon mounting of said cover onto said base said legs engage said deflector body and are moved away from one another toward said stirrups, said feet thereby respectively engaging said stirrups and holding said cover in engagement with said base.   
     
     
         22 . The exercise hoop according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 each of said stirrups comprises a stirrup plate having an opening therein for receiving said foot, said stirrup plates being oriented transversely to said centerline;   each of said legs comprises a leg plate, said leg plates being oriented transversely to said centerline; and   said deflector body comprises a deflector plate oriented transversely to said stirrup plates.