Jump rope device with removably-connected cable

Abstract

A jump rope device includes a connection assembly having a male connecting member and a female connecting member. The male connecting member includes a head having at least one locking projection. The female connecting member defines an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the male connecting member into an internal cavity. The female connecting member includes at least one locking arm that is biased into a first position, and configured to move from the first position into a second position when the male connecting member is inserted into the opening. The at least one locking arm is configured to return to the first position following insertion of the male connecting member to thereby create a secure connection between male and female connecting members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jump rope device, comprising:
 a handle comprising a handle grip 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 one of the first and second connecting members comprises a male connecting member and a second one of the first and second connecting members comprises a female connecting member;   wherein the male connecting member comprises a head comprising at least one locking projection;   wherein the female connecting member defines an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the male connecting member into an internal cavity of the female connecting member, wherein the female connecting member comprises at least one locking arm, said at least one locking arm being biased into a first position, said at least one locking arm being configured to move from said first position into a second position as said male locking member is inserted into said opening, said at least one locking arm being configured to return to said first position following said insertion of the male connecting member to thereby create a secure connection between said male and female connecting members.   
     
     
         2 . The jump rope device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one locking projection comprises first and second locking projections, and wherein said at least one locking arm comprises first and second locking arms. 
     
     
         3 . The jump rope device according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second locking arms are biased into said first position by an internal spring. 
     
     
         4 . The jump rope device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second locking arms are disposed within respective first and second channels that run longitudinally along opposite sides of a base of the female connecting member. 
     
     
         5 . The jump rope device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second locking arms are pivotally connected to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The jump rope device according to  claim 2 , wherein the opening includes a central portion configured to receive a neck portion of the male connecting member when the male connecting member is inserted into the female connecting member, and wherein the opening further includes first and second notched portions that extend radially outward from the central portion, the first and second notched portions being configured to receive respective first and second locking projections when the male connecting member is inserted into the female connecting member. 
     
     
         7 . The jump rope device according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second locking arms are aligned with the first and second notched portions. 
     
     
         8 . The jump rope device according to  claim 2 , wherein first and second locking projections define angled leading surfaces that are substantially complementary to corresponding angled leading surfaces defined by end portions of the first and second locking arms. 
     
     
         9 . The jump rope device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second locking arms comprise respective first and second gripping portions configured to be pinched by a user's fingers to move the first and locking arms into the second position, thereby allowing the user to withdraw the male connecting member from the opening to disconnect the cable from the handle.